Managing Cache
Windchill Workgroup Manager cache is a local repository for third-party CAD applications contained in a specific workspace, and is used only when uploading or downloading files to and from the server. Using cache improves performance because Windchill Workgroup Manager only downloads files if the content on the server is more recent than the content in the cache; and only uploads files when you direct it to do so.
By default, when you register Windchill servers and authoring applications, a .ws directory is created for cache. It is located under your user profile on your local computer. For every server location listed in the .ws directory, there are subdirectories for each workspace, and within each workspace subdirectory, there are subdirectories for each authoring application that is registered to that server.
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Working directly in cache is discouraged so that data is not accidentally corrupted.
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The cache location is defined by the environment variable `PTC_WF_ROOT’, which is the client connector cache. This is where all Windchill Workgroup Manager-related client side information is stored. If the environment variable is not explicitly defined, the default location will be the user's home directory.
By default, cache is not shared between Windchill Workgroup Manager and Creo Parametric.
If you are planning to run the Windchill Workgroup Manager and Creo Parametric on the same system and also want to have the cache residing in a non-default location, you must explicitly set the cache (PTC_WF_ROOT ) for both these applications to different locations. For example, one method of achieving this is to create a startup batch file for each application that defines the `PTC_WF_ROOT’ environment variable (cache location) and then start the program.
The default locations for the Windchill Workgroup Manager and Creo Parametric cache are as follows:
• Cache location for Creo Parametric - %APPDATA%\PTC\ProENGINEER\Wildfire\.wf
• Cache location for Windchill Workgroup Manager- %APPDATA%\PTC\ProENGINEER\Wildfire\.wwgm
Although it is not recommended you directly access the .ws directory, there are certain PDM actions that require you to select from it. For example, Open queries the CAD application subdirectory in the .ws directory, so you can select the document you want to open. If desired, the location of the .ws directory can be changed by setting the environment PTC_WLD_ROOT to the required location.
Cache is managed from the Cache tab on the Server Management window ( > ). This window describes your workspace local directory/managing directory location, cache space used (in MB), and available disk space. There is also an option to clear the cache. The following graphic shows the Cache tab window.
This information is also displayed in the Cache Management window.
Select Cache Tools on the Cache tab to access the Cache Management window. The Cache Management window provides the following:
• Location of primary server's active workspace. You can use the PTC_WF_ROOT environment variable to specify a different cache location.
• Cache usage
• Path to the .ws directory
• Cache limit. The Target Cache Limit can be set in the wgmclient.ini file entry cache.size, or by setting the environment variable dm_cache_limit.
• Amount of utilized disk space
• The Clear button clears all cache in the inactive workspace.
• The .wfs directory (if applicable) is also cleared.
To selectively clear cache locations, click Cache Tools. The Cache Management window opens.
The next graphic displays the Cache Management window.
 | You can select a cache location and click Clear Cache to clear it. |