Direct 3D Configure Driver Question

[bev.lynn]

I am working on a fairly old HP xw4400 workstation (Intel Core 2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz, 4.0 gb ram, Windows 7 Professional with 3gb switch enabled, Nvidia Quadro FX1500 (256 mb) and latest Nvidia drivers 197.90) using 3ds Max Design 2011.

 

 

I cannot get any settings to the Direct 3D Configure Driver to stick. I set the changes I want and restart max but they just default to the original install setting. I want set the highlighted settings on the attached image.

 

 

Can someone using a Quadro FX1500 card or any Quadro card tell me if the settings are maintained for you when you make changes?

 

 

I know it's an old video card, but I it met the minimum requirements when I installed the program and it was listed on the list of certified hardware. However, since Autodesk has updated Max's certified hardware list, the Quadro FX1500 has been dropped!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]37343[/ATTACH]

Any suggestions?

 

Update: Using OpenGL does not maintain the settings either, but the viewport appears to perform better with less artifacts when is shaded.

Edited May 31, 2010 by bev.lynn

[jferry]

Were you able to get the settings to stick? I am having the same problem.

Joe

[bev.lynn]

Joe, I have had no success. If I am able to get it working, I will post it here.

[kenpimentel]

I have no idea. Perhaps it doesn't stick because you have a GPU below our minimum? Generally, we don't invest a lot of time on hw configs that are below our minimum setting. It's not possible to "freeze" a software product so that it always works with old technology.

 

It's possible there is some other problem going on, so please report it here:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=5600504&linkID=9241177

[jferry]

Thanks. I figured it out. My platform is Server2008. I had "Run as Administrator" make the changes, then run as normal. Bev, not sure if this will help you with your system. I don't think you have to option, or need, to run things as an administrator.

[bev.lynn]

Thanks guys for the reply.

Ken, I reported the problem via the link.

Joe, I am logged in as administrator with no server, only a simple pier-to-pier network. It's probably because of my GPU like Ken said, but if thats the case, I wonder why I am able to run two sessions on max simultaneously on this workstation testing the use of containers.

[Justin Hunt]

Even if you have administrator privages you still have to run Max AS ADMINISTRATOR. for it to stick.

 

The same goes for some other tools as well , such as the Bitmap and Photometric Paths tool. It will only copy your maps to a new path if your running as administrator.

 

jhv

[bev.lynn]

Justin,

You said it and Joe said it, but it was only after I got this reply from the Error Report that I actually investigated:

 

From what I can see from your description, you would need to be logged in with Administrator rights on any machine where you wish to change those preferences.

 

Unlike the other user-specific preferences that are saved in the 3dsmax.ini file, which is located in a User-accessible folder, the viewport configuration settings are program level settings and are saved in the d3dgfx.ini or oglgfx.ini files. These are located in the Program Files directory structure and are not modifiable from a User nor a Power User account.

 

When I installed Windows 7 Ultimate I set it up so my workstation would run in Administrator mode with no password all the time. So I thought. But I checked, after receiving the message above, and sure enough I was running as Admin and Administrator was set with Account is disabled checked. I enabled the Administrator account, logged off and Administrator showed up for the first time ever since I installed Windows 7 Ultimate as a log on user. So I logged in as Administrator, made the changes in 3ds Max Design, and logged off as Administrator. Logged back in as usual as Admin, checked 3ds Max Design Display settings and they were set as I desired!

 

THANKS FOR HELPING THE VILLAGE IDIOT!

[Justin Hunt]

No problem, to make things easier, so you dont need to log in and log out as administrator, just right click the max Icon and select "run as Administrator". Yes it may get annoying pop-ups asking if this is what you want but it gives you the freedom to make changes on the fly.

 

jhv

[bev.lynn]

Thanks for the tip Justin!

Still learning Max & Windows 7 but I'll get there.

[Justin Hunt]

it was never like this in previouse versions. Its not just a W7 thing, it also happend with Vista and xp pro.

 

It quite annoying really, So far I have found the bit-map and photometric path tool needs administration rights to work, I wonder what else does too.

 

jhv