Memory & Performance

cache_display (boolean, default: depends) controls whether or not a copy is made of the current display in order to speed updates of menus, etc.

cache_frames – see movies.

cache_mode (integer: 0-2, default 0) controls whether or not PyMOL retains precomputed geometries (such as molecular surfaces) inside the session file.
- 0: off
- 1: read only
- 2: retain all new surfaces computed

cache_max (integer, default: 1250000) controls how many primitive data elements can be retained in the geometry cache (before old/unused entries are expired).

cache_memory (boolean, default: off) special case, currently unsupported setting.

fast_idle (float, default: 20,000) affects idling behavior and should not normally need to be modified.

hash_max (integer, default: depends) controls the maximum amount of memory used by the various temporary 3D hash tables used in geometry generation and raytracing.

idle_delay (float, default: 1.5) affects idling behavior and should not normally need to be modified.

max_ups (integer, default: 0) throttles PyMOL to a maximum number of updates per second. When set to 0, PyMOL updates as quickly as possible.

max_threads – see multithreading

no_idle (float, default: 10,000) affects idling behavior and should not normally need to be modified.

pickable (boolean, default: on) controls whether or not extra resources are expended in order to enable picking of displayed geometry using the mouse.

sphere_mode – see spheres.

simplify_display_lists (boolean, default: off) controls whether or not display lists are simplified in order to potentially boost performance.

slow_idle (float, default: 200,000) affects idling behavior and should not normally need to be modified.

texture_fonts – see labels.

use_display_lists (boolean, default: on) controls whether or not OpenGL display lists are utilized to potentially accelerate performance.