What are some common graphics card issues and solutions?

This is a list of common issues related to graphics cards and how to resolve them.

If these tips do not solve the graphics related issue, try upgrading your graphics card driver. Please see the related knowledge base entry: How do I upgrade my graphics card driver?

1) Crashing in Studio or Qualify after product is launched. Geomagic products should auto-detect a graphics card and adjust the settings needed to run Geomagic Applications. However there can be instances where it does not adjust the setting on install.

Solution: Manually adjust the Use Compressed Normals setting in Application Button>Options>Graphics>OpenGL. Changing this setting has resolved past issues with graphics related problems. This setting is based on the computer install of an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card. Changing the setting will require re-starting the Geomagic product.

2) Qualify Reports have large black bands or blacked out pictures

Solution: Un-check Enable Pbuffers in Application Button>Options>Graphics>OpenGL. Changing the setting will require re-starting the Geomagic product.

3) Transparent or invisible Polygons or Points in the Graphics Area

Solution: Un-check Use Polygon Offset in Application Button>Options>Graphics>OpenGL>Use Polygon Offset. Changing the setting will require re-starting the Geomagic product.

If there is no change, then change Use Polygon Offsets back to its original setting. Adjust the Triangle Offsets to "0.0" (for Polygons) and Vertex Offsets to "0.0" (for Points). Changing the setting will require re-starting the Geomagic application.

4) Random crashing or odd behavior

Solution: This occurs mostly with computer s that have ATI cards installed. Turn the Hardware Acceleration slider down to 20-60% in the graphic card properties. To change this setting...

XP: Right-click on the desktop and select Properties. Choose the Settings tab. Click the Advanced button. Click the Troubleshoot tab.

Windows 7 / Vista: Right-click on the desktop and select Screen Resolution. Click Advanced Settings. Click the Troubleshoot tab.

There is a slider bar for adjusting the hardware acceleration. Some ATI cards respond well with only going down to 60%. Others require 20%. Try experimenting with different percentages to determine which setting works best. After adjusting it may require a re-booting the computer.

5) Points or lines randomly change their color in some situations

Solution: The setting in Application Button>Options>Graphics>OpenGL>Constant Vertex Color Update can help correct problems associated with some computer systems that do not process OpenGL as efficiently as other machines. The Constant Vertex Color Update can help reduce this problem, but graphics speed may be reduced.

VERSION 11

The following is a basic list (usually judged on a case-by-case basis) but you may find it useful:

Problem: Crashing in Studio or Qualify after splash screen license opens up.

Resolution: Try adjusting the Compressed Normals setting. For Studio and Qualify, try turning On/Off the Compressed Normals. This can be found in Tools>Options>Graphics>OpenGL>Use Compressed Normals. Studio and Qualify should auto-detect and be OFF automatically for ATI cards and ON for Nvidia graphic cards. (ATI can not handle compressed normals.) Sometimes changing the setting,however, has resolved problems. Changing the setting will require restarting the Geomagic application.

Problem: Qualify Reports have large black bands or blacked out pictures.

Resolution: Try disabling the Pbuffers in Tools>Options>Graphics>OpenGL>Enable PBuffers. This mostly impacts Qualify 7,8 and 9 reporting. When Qualify 7,8 and 9 reports have solid black pictures or odd offsetting and disabling this will usually help. Changing the setting will require restarting the Geomagic application.

Problem: Transparent or invisible Polygons or Points.

Resolution: Try adjusting the polygon offset in Tools>Options>Graphics>OpenGL>Use Polygon Offset by turning on(off) this setting.

If there is no change, then change it back and go to the options found in Tools>Options>Graphics>OpenGL>Offsets. For triangles, adjust the Triangle to "0.0". For Points adjust Vertex to "0.0". Changing the setting will require restarting the Geomagic application.

Problem: Crashing or odd behavior.

Resolution: This occurs mostly with ATI cards. Turn the Hardware Acceleration slider down to 20-60% in the graphic card properties. To change this setting, right-click on the desktop and select Properties. Choose the Settings tab. Click the Advanced button. Click the Troubleshoot tab. You will see a slider for adjusting the hardware acceleration. Some ATI cards respond well with only going down to 60%. Others require 20%. Try experimenting with different percentages to determine which setting works best.

Problem: Points or lines randomly change their color in some situations.

Resolution: The setting in Tools>Options>Graphics>OpenGL>Constant Vertex Color Update can help correct problems associated with some computer systems that do not process OpenGL as efficiently as other machines. The Constant Vertex Color Update can help reduce this problem, but graphics speed may be reduced.

Sometimes it helps to try another graphics card driver version. For ATI cards, if the driver is over a year old, it will not work with the latest ATI cards. For Nvidia we use the latest drivers as they are usually much more dependable with OpenGL applications like Geomagic.