Optimization for multi-layered compositions

Hello, I’m just wondering if there is an easy way to have a network of multiple Bases, and have only one of them “enabled” at a time? Say, like in a given VJ setup, your overall network/composition is divided into sub-networks/compositions, each of which have their own network of CHOPs and TOPS and can output a TOP. Also imagine that at the root layer, using a select TOP, you can decide which sub-composition to send to your output. My understanding is that all the rendering/CPU-dependant/GPU occupying processes inside the other sub-Bases (which are not enabled or sent to the output at a given time) will keep going, leading to GPU and/or GPU bottlenecks. Is that correct? If that’s the case, is there a way, to only have one base at a time “turned on” to save CPU and GPU?
Thank you for your help.

That is incorrect. Touchdesigner is a pull-based system, which means only the nodes cook which contribute to the current output, or whos output you are currently watching. A common misconception with cooking in TouchDesigner is that cooking starts upstream and moves downstream, but this is not the case.

So if you’re using a Switch TOP or Select TOP, you’re also shutting down all parts of the network whos output is not requested at this time. Watch the green lines between the nodes, when they animate they’re cooking.

Read wiki page What Causes Cooking

Oh great! Thanks for the information. That’s great to know. Much appreciated!

Make sure the blending button is off on Switch TOPs btw, otherwise they will still cook all inputs. Only a hard switch doesn’t cook non-visible ops. One trick is to script the on state of the blending button as you need to transition between scenes, and then turn it off once the transition is over.