Last Updated: 06 September 2024          For: OptiSurface Designer V2.2

4.1        Resolving Crashing and Graphics Issues

OptiSurface Designer requires the use of a graphics card or an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with 3D capabilities to run. These devices enable a computer to process and deliver graphics, animation, and videos. Most computer newer than 3yrs old include these capabilities.

You have two options to fix the problem related to the graphics card:

1.      Disable Graphics Card/Hardware Acceleration, or

2.      Update Your Graphics Card Driver

These are discussed below.

4.1.1   Disable Graphics Card/Hardware Acceleration

This is a simple and quick option, but it may cause the 3D scene to run slowly, possibly too slowly to be workable. It can also result in the surface colors being off. However, it can sometimes be the only option on computers with troublesome graphics cards. To apply this option, go to the Tools Menu > Options...

Then in this dialog, tick OFF this option:

You will need to RESTART the OptiSurface Designer application for this change to take effect. 

4.1.2   Update Your Graphics Card Driver

For many rendering issues, you may need to update your graphics card driver. Here's what you need to do, depending on your computer:

Laptop computers: Visit the laptop manufacturer's website (Dell, Toshiba, Sony, etc.) to get the most recent driver for your graphics card or IGP.

Desktop computers: Visit the graphics card or motherboard (for IGPs) manufacturer's website to download the latest driver for your system.

Note: We strongly advise against installing graphics card or motherboard chipset drivers in beta release.

Click these links to read about possible solutions to problems related to graphics cards:

4.1.2.1  Determine what graphics card you have

If you don't know what kind of graphics card is installed in your computer, you can use a program to determine your computer's hardware, operating system, and graphics card:

1. Click Start.
2. On the Start menu, click Run.
3. In the Open box, type "dxdiag" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK.
4. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens. Click the Display tab.
5. On the Display tab, information about your graphics card is shown in the Device section. You can see the name of your card, as well as how much video memory it has.

If your drivers are more than six months old, we recommend downloading an updated driver from your graphics card or computer manufacturer's site.

4.1.2.2  Download drivers for most common graphics cards

Listed below are a few common graphics card and IGP manufacturers, along with links to download appropriate drivers:

• AMD (formerly ATI) - http://support.amd.com/en-us/download 
• Intel - http://support.intel.com/support/graphics 
• Nvidia - http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp