Finding IM3.6 Off-Line Cache

[StanRohrer]

I'm trying to import an IM36 database into IM5 and bring along my off-line cache images. The IM36 Preferences / Off-Line Cache pointer locates C:\Users\Stan\AppData\Roaming\photools.com\IMatch\OLC. However, at this location is a minimal basic cache structure but no image files. I have ~100,000 offline JPG images on roughly 300 CD/DVDs. All have images visible without the media when viewed in IM36.

I've done many searches based on Mario's helpful description: All IMatch cache files use numerical file names, are in folders named 01 to 99 and have the JPEG extension. It should be easy to find the right cache folder on your machine using the built-in search engine in Windows Explorer. Once found, re-configure the cache settings in IMatch 3 and then restart the conversion. 

Using the searches, I can find cache files for IM5, and many other programs, but not for IM36.

I've been an IM user since about 2002 or 2003. Perhaps there is a legacy issue with the location of the off-line cache files. I just don't know.

So my questions:
Has anyone else had to go find the IM36 off-line cache in some location other than the current Preferences pointer?

Where did you find your IM36 cache (even correctly pointed) so I might look there?

[Mario]

If you cannot find the folder in Windows Explorer, try this:

Start the Windows Resource Monitor. Switch to the Disk tab.
Then run a slide show in IMatch 3 to make it load images from the off-line cache. Or use the SBS viewer.
While the slide show is running, switch back to the Resource Monitor, set the check in front of imatch3.exe in the upper list, and then look at which files IMatch is accessing.

Alternatively, use the Process Monitor from Microsoft (free) to monitor IMatch 3 and to see which file it accesses.

[StanRohrer]

Now, having read the IM36 Help screens regarding Off-Line Cache, I have never enabled any folder to use Cache. I was under the bad thought that the thumbnails were the cache image but that is apparently not the case. The cache image is a size generally intermediate between the thumbnails and the full size image. It is enable on a media or folder basis - which I have never done.

Problem solved. It is my issue with not understanding the cache system correctly and not turning it on.

[Mario]

Thumbnails are always created and stored inside the database.
In IMatch 3, the off-line cache had the purpose to speed up loading slow-to-read files like RAW images, and to allow the user to see screen-size previews of his files even when they were off-line.

IMatch 5 also stores thumbnails inside the database for the fastest possible access.
The cache is the central core functionality for all features which display or process files and images, e.g. the Viewer, Slide Show, Quick View Panel etc. Please see the help topic on the cache in the IMatch 5 help for more info and suggestions on how to configure it for various workflows.