Problem
Render cache contains stale frames, causing an export to show an older version of an effect.
Solution
Root Cause / Diagnostic:
To optimize real-time playback, NLEs (Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve) write pre-rendered preview frames to an internal disk cache. When an editor updates an underlying nested effect, modifies an adjustment layer LUT, or adjusts keyframe curves, the caching engine occasionally fails to flag the cached frame hash as invalid. If the export dialog has 'Use Previews' or 'Use Render Cached Images' checked, the encoder bakes the stale preview frames directly into the final master deliverable.
Actionable Fix:
1. In the export settings dialog, uncheck 'Use Previews' (Premiere Pro) or uncheck 'Use Render Cached Images' (DaVinci Resolve) to force a pristine re-render from original media.
2. In the NLE timeline menu, execute 'Delete Render Files' or 'Clear Render Cache: All' to purge outdated cache files from the scratch disk.
3. Review the exported scene at the modified effect timecode to confirm that the latest color grade, text revisions, and VFX updates are displayed.
Pro Tip:
Never check 'Use Previews' for final commercial master deliverables unless preview files were configured to 100% full-resolution 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ / DNxHR HQX matching master timeline specs.
To optimize real-time playback, NLEs (Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve) write pre-rendered preview frames to an internal disk cache. When an editor updates an underlying nested effect, modifies an adjustment layer LUT, or adjusts keyframe curves, the caching engine occasionally fails to flag the cached frame hash as invalid. If the export dialog has 'Use Previews' or 'Use Render Cached Images' checked, the encoder bakes the stale preview frames directly into the final master deliverable.
Actionable Fix:
1. In the export settings dialog, uncheck 'Use Previews' (Premiere Pro) or uncheck 'Use Render Cached Images' (DaVinci Resolve) to force a pristine re-render from original media.
2. In the NLE timeline menu, execute 'Delete Render Files' or 'Clear Render Cache: All' to purge outdated cache files from the scratch disk.
3. Review the exported scene at the modified effect timecode to confirm that the latest color grade, text revisions, and VFX updates are displayed.
Pro Tip:
Never check 'Use Previews' for final commercial master deliverables unless preview files were configured to 100% full-resolution 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ / DNxHR HQX matching master timeline specs.