SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
(OP)
Hello,
I'm using SolidWorks 2011 Standard on Windows XP 32 bit.
I'm having weird graphical glitches in my SolidWorks viewport lately. I've already gotten them three times this week.
I have added an image (screenshot) so you can see what I am talking about.
I used to be an avid gamer and I remember seeing such things on failing graphic cards or healthy graphic cards with bad drivers.
But my workstation now has a Quadro FX1700 with a certified driver from SolidWorks (version 6.14.11.9754), suitable for my workstation (HP xw4600).
Is my graphic card failing? Is this rather a SolidWorks glitch? Or could overall system setup (OS, hardware, combo...) be the culprit?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
P.S.
System specs:
* Hewlett-Packard HP xw4600 Workstation
* Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E8500 @ 3.16GHz
* 2,98 GB RAM (total accessible in Windows 32 bit, 4 GB installed)
greetings,
Dries
I'm using SolidWorks 2011 Standard on Windows XP 32 bit.
I'm having weird graphical glitches in my SolidWorks viewport lately. I've already gotten them three times this week.
I have added an image (screenshot) so you can see what I am talking about.
I used to be an avid gamer and I remember seeing such things on failing graphic cards or healthy graphic cards with bad drivers.
But my workstation now has a Quadro FX1700 with a certified driver from SolidWorks (version 6.14.11.9754), suitable for my workstation (HP xw4600).
Is my graphic card failing? Is this rather a SolidWorks glitch? Or could overall system setup (OS, hardware, combo...) be the culprit?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
P.S.
System specs:
* Hewlett-Packard HP xw4600 Workstation
* Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E8500 @ 3.16GHz
* 2,98 GB RAM (total accessible in Windows 32 bit, 4 GB installed)
greetings,
Dries






RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
You could also try deleting the driver and re-installing. You may even have to use a driver cleaner utility like http://www.drivercleaner.net/ or http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
I've already rolled back the driver to a generic quadro version and did a thorough registry clean. I haven't had the glitch since.
But the glitch is too random so I don't really know how to evoke it deliberately.
I didn't mention this from the start but my workstation is really sluggish as well. Opening assemblies and drawings and especially saving them takes up a lot of time (much more than on my coworkers' workstations, which are pretty much identical, with the exception that they run on a Core 2 Quad CPU (RAM, GC, OS are the same).
Also, when I ran into the glitch for the first time I tried rebuilding (Ctrl+Q). The killed SolidWorks and it quit without popping any error.
I think it might be a combination of things: bad GC (driver) and too low memory. When I open the Windows task manager during intense SolidWorks moments SW's memory allocation easily soares to above 2000MB. On a system that can only access 2.98GB that seems to be pushing it.
greetings,
Dries
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
Can you call our IT administrator, please!? ;)
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
You appear to have the /3GB switch enabled ... do you have the /USERVA=2900 (or similar) also enabled?
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
"You appear to have the /3GB switch enabled"
Indeed, I have the 3GB switch enabled.
"do you have the /USERVA=2900 (or similar) also enabled?"
I was not familiar with that particular switch (never heard of it). But I just checked the boot.ini of the Windows bootloader and it says "/userva=2800". What does this doe exactly?
P.S.
Full boot.ini contents:
"
[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional 3Gb Enabled" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /3Gb /userva=2800
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
"
greetings,
Dries
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
Download the 3gb_switch_part_one,_two,_&_three.pdf from http://kcswug.com/documents/articles/ for more details.
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
Thank you for the insight provided by that document!
Another question:
Would Windows 7 64 bit with SolidWorks 2011 64 bit on top of it solve most of my problems?
greetings,
Dries
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
An x64 system would not directly decrease the graphics problems, but having more available RAM may help.
RE: SolidWorks viewport graphics glitches / artefacts
The image looks like artifacting (see gamers who overclock their videocard memory) and CPU could be thermal throttling. Do you have some temperature tools installed? If not, install them and look at them when this is occuring. I've seen a bad case fan cause similar trouble. If temp or doubt is high run the case open for a while.
Stefan Hamminga
EngIT Solutions
CSWP/Mechanical designer
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