Virtual memory help

[Zarathustra]

Ok, so I'm discovering that in OSX there's some crazy virtual memory stuff that goes on when memory is in short supply - like when you have huge files open in PS, AFX and maybe LW and Modeler are open, too. :D Probably the worst is AFX, since I think it uses the system drive for the ram preview DESPITE choosing other drives in in the prefs for overflow.

I've read some things about a "swap" file, which is apparently the converted space into virtual memory file. There's all kinds of scripting online about how to make OSX create swap files on a different drive. Any of you smart, programmer types know about this, how to do it AND be able to explain it to a guy whose programming ability stops at the VCR?

[bloontz]

There are some apps on versiontracker that say they will move swap files, I haven't tried them.

[eblu]

www.macosxHints.com

word of caution:
Apple has stated that moving the swap file gains you almost nothing.

they suggest having a huge main drive, with lots of free space and keeping you data on another drive. This is both easier to setup, and safer for the system.

go to the mac os x 10.3 discussions (at the Apple.com support area) and search for "Topic: Partition for virtual memory swap disk "

[Zarathustra]

where's this versiontracker?

[Zarathustra]

Alright, well how about a tut on how to transplant your system folder and your user info? I spent a day trying and couldn't do it. All these invisible files.

A short term fix was to pop an old drive into the G4 and transplant all my applications there and delete them from my system drive.


I'll tell you what, when your mail can't save, your PS preferences disappear, new Safari bookmarks are gone, itunes adjustments vanish, PS can't save and your window placements vanish and AFX chokes with an error because your system drive that has 1.5 gig free is now showing 75mb free, then we'll see how much "nothing" is gained by being able to move that goddamned swap file!!

[eblu]

short tute:
leave the system alone.
add a second drive.
set the permissions to this drive so that everyone can play.
copy the large graphics files from your home directory to the new drive.
make sure they work.
delete the files from your home directory.

sure you Could move your home directory, and the system (ok maybe you can't do that), but why bother? it breaks too much stuff, and you can easily make a nice home for data on a new drive without making your life difficult.

[eblu]

maybe you should accept the possibility that you are using Too Many apps at once. ie: theres no more blood in that there stone.

[Haven1000]

To "transplant"/clone your system to another drive and keep it a bootable system try Carbon Copy Cloner, its donationware and its a very cool app

http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html

[Zarathustra]

theres no more blood in that there stone.

Yeah, I know, but that swap file keeps me from those last precious drops.

The large graphics files aren't the problem, nor are they on the system drive. The only things on the system drive were my apps and the system. Now it's just system and an applications folder that only has the OSX apps that are affected by Apple updates (mail, addressbook, etc).


In this little adventure I learned how disheartening it is that you can't really backup your system. That blows.

ACK! Edit that! THANKS, Haven!

[bloontz]

Originally posted by Zarathustra
where's this versiontracker?

http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/

It's a great resource.

[mlinde]

Originally posted by Zarathustra
In this little adventure I learned how disheartening it is that you can't really backup your system. That blows. Actually, you can, utilizing special tools like Carbon Copy Cloner.

In addition, Version Tracker is here: http://www.versiontracker.com

And finally, the rule of memory on mac OS X is supposed to be "each program takes only as much memory as it needs", so if you have huge files open in each application, ask yourself if you need to. Just closing a huge photoshop file will free memory back up if you are working in a different application.

[Zarathustra]

Yes, thanks. I saw that after I posted, mlinde, that's why I added that last sentence thanking Haven1000.

As for my work process, I have a 150mb map with a bazillion layers that shows in the tiny, bottom left panel of the PS window - 151.3M/997M. Along with AFX open because I need to take layers from the PS file and animate them. Now sure, I could create a layer, save, close PS, open AFX, animate BUT if I need to add or change anything to the PS file, then it's save AFX, close AFX then repeat that whole process above. MAJOR waste of time, ESPECIALLY when there is a way to avoid it.
So yeah, I need my apps open.

[mlinde]

Originally posted by Zarathustra
I have a 150mb map with a bazillion layers that shows in the tiny, bottom left panel of the PS window - 151.3M/997M. Along with AFX open because I need to take layers from the PS file and animate them. Now sure, I could create a layer, save, close PS, open AFX, animate BUT if I need to add or change anything to the PS file, then it's save AFX, close AFX then repeat that whole process above. MAJOR waste of time, ESPECIALLY when there is a way to avoid it.
So yeah, I need my apps open. In that case, I'd like recommend a couple of things that may (or may not) help that workflow. First of all, install an additional drive, and set it up as a "scratch drive" in Photoshop (you can do this in the PS preferences). It doesn't need to be large, even an old 8GB IDE drive from a G3 would be Ok. This will help offset the utilization of the main HD for scratch files. Second of all, make sure you have maxed out the RAM in your machine. Finally, if you've done #1 and #2, and it still isn't great, start saving up for a new G5, and load it up with that 8 GB of RAM.

[eblu]

Originally posted by Zarathustra
Yes, thanks. I saw that after I posted, mlinde, that's why I added that last sentence thanking Haven1000.

As for my work process, I have a 150mb map with a bazillion layers that shows in the tiny, bottom left panel of the PS window - 151.3M/997M. Along with AFX open because I need to take layers from the PS file and animate them. Now sure, I could create a layer, save, close PS, open AFX, animate BUT if I need to add or change anything to the PS file, then it's save AFX, close AFX then repeat that whole process above. MAJOR waste of time, ESPECIALLY when there is a way to avoid it.
So yeah, I need my apps open.

997M is probably overkill. jobs were once done with less than 128 megs of ram. perhaps there is a way to do this job without forcing Photoshop to need 8 Gigs of ram.