A question in optimizing network performance . Let’s say I have a dozen or more networks or effects derived from a single webcam input. At any given time only one of these networks are viewable. What’s the easiest way to make the networks not being viewed inactive, so they don’t use valuable CPU resources?
touch designer is a pull-based system. A common misconception with cooking in TouchDesigner is that cooking starts upstream and moves downstream. But “Pull-based” means only the nodes cook which are connected to a node further down the line which needs its output, or if you are watching the output of this node. Almost all operators will only cook when something is interested in their data.
The Order Of Cooking:
derivative.ca/wiki088/index. … of_Cooking
What Causes Cooking:
derivative.ca/wiki088/index. … es_Cooking
so for instance in your case, the dozen networks could end all in a Switch TOP where you select which output you want to watch. This means if you switch, only the network cooks which output is needed for the final image.
Unless - you are in edit mode and are watching the live output of all the nodes before the switch.
So try switching to perform mode, and see if your framerate goes up. And if you are in Edit mode, you can switch off the Display flags of each TOP (so you are not looking at output of those nodes, so they don’t cook). You can see animated lines between the nodes that cook.