Graphics window goes blank? 1

[m60gunner]

Finally, I am back to using SWX after using INV exclusively for over 2 years. Unfortunately, I have come to despise some features in SWX after using them in INV. Maybe I can attribute it to being way too familiar with INV and losing familiarity with SWX... But overall, it's great to be back on SW! INV seemed so immature in some aspects - some features were not well thought out.

Anyway, has anyone seen this before?

I have about 5 parts open and the assembly file they all reside in. When I go to different windows (i.e., from the assy to part to part), the graphics window goes blank on some of the files. I can see the outlines highlighted as I traverse my cursor over the parts, but they all disappear when I remove the cursor from them. I have been using PhotoWorks, but would that cause the problem?

SW SP3.0
OS: Windows XP Pro 2002 SP1
PC: HP d530 CMT; Pentium 4; 3.20 GHz; 1 GB RAM
Graphics: nVidia???

Air cooled, belt fed, gas operated machine gun firing from the open-bolt position

 

[ctopher]

Check your graphics card with approved card list at solidworks.com. Also upgrade to SP4.0, it may help. I use to see similar problems until I upgraded and added 2GB RAM.

 

[vikdayal]

m60gunner,

I would think that this is being caused because of the video card. I was having the same problem with an ATI card, but then I switched the card with a SolidWorks tested card, I am using 3D Labs WildCat, and it is a good card. The problem is gone, but ... Wildcat has its own problems.

You can go to

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/videocardtesting.html

for a list of video cards tested by SolidWorks and can choose / try from amongst this list.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Vik

 

[SBaugh]

I'm pretty sure it's your Video card.

faq559-986
faq559-715
faq559-936
faq559-974

As ctopher[/color darkblue] points out above -

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/VideoCardTesting.html?pid=383

thread559-98251

Try turning your Software OpenGL option on.
Tools\Options\System Options\Performance - You can't have ANY files open in SW to turn this option on. If that fixes the problem. It's either your video card or your Drivers.

Regards,


Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

If you are in the SW Forum Check out the FAQ section

To make the Best of Eng-Tips Forums FAQ731-376

 

[m60gunner]

Thanks. It appears that the graphics card is the issue...

Time to order a new one!



Air cooled, belt fed, gas operated machine gun firing from the open-bolt position

 

[m60gunner]

Now might this same issue affect my overall performance? I am having huge delays in selecting individual features in the feature manager, too. I literally wait 5 to 15 seconds to switch commands or pick individual features out of the feature manager.



Air cooled, belt fed, gas operated machine gun firing from the open-bolt position

 

[SBaugh]

Yep a Graphics card that isn't supported will cause performance to drop. A better video card will fix a lot of these issues.

I recommend you look at the Quadro cards. I know run a Quadro 1100 FX and a 500 FX. Both cards are great and run circles around others I have tested and used.

Quadro Benchmarks:

http://www.cgnetworks.com/story_custom.php?story_id=2214&page=3

500 FX

http://store.yahoo.com/digitally-unique/vcqfx500-pb.html

1100 FX

http://store.yahoo.com/digitally-unique/c99719.html

Near the bottom it talks about Video cards:

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/mar04/200403_techtip_02.cfm

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

If you are in the SW Forum Check out the FAQ section

To make the Best of Eng-Tips Forums FAQ731-376

 

[m60gunner]

Thanks for the input. I have been able to resolve most all of my issues by using your suggested
"Tools\Options\System Options\Performance - Use Software Open GL" !

I was about to toss my PC... things were fine for the past few weeks, then a few days ago it began to degrade daily.

New graphics card will go on order!


Air cooled, belt fed, gas operated machine gun firing from the open-bolt position

 

[bigBboris]

Actually, I have same problem. It might be graphic card related, but I found a way to get around. Just resize the graphics window- move edge of it adjacent to Feature Manager just a little bit.