Scratch Disks

[RINZLR]

Hey guys. I've always heard of scratch disks being used in systems that utilize software such as photoshop, after effects, etc. I've done a little research into it but I'm still not too clear on what it really does. I have seen systems that use 2TB HDDs specifically for the sole purpose as a scratch disk. Is that capacity really necessary? What size HDD would be more than enough as a scratch disk? I would really like someone to explain this concept to me because I plan to use some editing/graphical software in the future and from what I've read, you can benefit from it. Thanks! 

[dragosudeki]

I'm interested, but what is a scratch disk? Can you explain for me?

[ZetZet]

I'm interested, but what is a scratch disk? Can you explain for me?

Where you put all your short clips, pictures and sound samples for reuse later and while working. Basically a messy desk type drive.

[Vitalius]

Where you put all your short clips, pictures and sound samples for reuse later and while working. Basically a messy desk type drive.

IIRC, it's called that because the idea is that you sort it or nuke it (delete/format everything) every so often to start "from scratch". 

Or is that colloquialism the reverse? Where starting from scratch means starting with just a bunch of randomly gathered materials?

[ShadowCaptain]

its basically a place you dump your data to while you are working

 

some people set theirs up to wipe periodically because that data is not intended to be filed away there, its like playing all your stuff on the desk while you are working

 

it can also refer to a program like photoshop running out of ram, so you partition off a bit of hard drive because its cheaper than buying more ram, so getting a 64gb SSD as as scratch space is useful so when you open a massive 4k video edit, it can use your SSD like it was extra ram

[RINZLR]

its basically a place you dump your data to while you are working

 

some people set theirs up to wipe periodically because that data is not intended to be filed away there, its like playing all your stuff on the desk while you are working

 

it can also refer to a program like photoshop running out of ram, so you partition off a bit of hard drive because its cheaper than buying more ram, so getting a 64gb SSD as as scratch space is useful so when you open a massive 4k video edit, it can use your SSD like it was extra ram

Oh, okay. Thank you guys so much. I've read all the replies and I understand now. One thing though: What program(s) would cause someone to use a 2TB drive for that purpose? Hmmm... I hope probably because he just had one laying around.

[ShadowCaptain]

Oh, okay. Thank you guys so much. I've read all the replies and I understand now. One thing though: What program(s) would cause someone to use a 2TB drive for that purpose? Hmmm... I hope probably because he just had one laying around.

 

I have a 2tb hard drive purely for shadowplay and elgato recordings, i delete them after editing, so i guess that could be considered a scratch disc

[RINZLR]

I have a 2tb hard drive purely for shadowplay and elgato recordings, i delete them after editing, so i guess that could be considered a scratch disc

Okay, well that makes sense. Thanks again man!