What will be the best graphic card for Iclone which gives the highest quality output? I don't mind as expensive as it can be, it's fine. But just recommend me a range of the best graphic card in the market for Iclone or animation in general. Will NVIDIA OR ATI will be better?

I recommend a recent Nvidia card. There is not much to choose between Nvidia and ATI but many ATI cards will not offer the Self Cast Shadow option so for this reason I would say go for Nvidia.

If price is not an issue and you are running Windows XP then go for a Series 7 or 8 card with the 7950 or 8800 being the best in those two series. There are a few varients of those models but really any of those will give fantastic results in iClone.

If you are running Vista then I would go for the 8800 card if it is in your price range as this will offer the bonus of full DirectX 10 support although it won't currently make much difference in iClone but may in the future.

You no not need to buy a top of the range model to get good results in iClone but obviously the further you go up the ladder the better performance you will find.

I hope this is of some help. 

                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

P4 - 3.4 with a 256 Radeon X700 Pro video card and 2 gig ram.  I would buy the 512 nvidea card but, if it won't solve my problem, then that's a waste.  I have 100 gig free on C drive.

I have always let my anti virus software run and I have always had other programs in the background running, with no issues.  Also, I tried to update the ATI drivers, and it failed for some reason so the drivers I am using are from May of 07.

Any suggestions?  I wrote to tech support, but no response.

Alley

Hi Alley,

Problems like the one you are experiencing can be difficult to diagnose but the fact that iClone runs perfectly for most people with either ATI or Nvidia cards points to there being an issue with your computer which is causing the problem rather than just iClone.

You say the Computer Technician thinks there are other issues. Did they say what those issues may be?

Also the fact that you say you are unable to update the drivers could well mean that you have corrupted or conficting driver files that are causing the crashes. Can you remember what the error message was when it failed to update the drivers?

You didn't mention which Operating System you are using. If you are using Vista, are you running the version 2.1 because if not then this will likely be the problem. Vista PC's require v2.1.

You should try sending Support a copy of your dxdiag.txt file which will enable them to see if you are have issues with your graphics card. You can find out how to do this here:

Finally, although unlikely to make a difference you could try running Error Checking on your hard disk to see if you have any problems there. Just go to My Computer, Right Click on the C: drive and choose Properties, Tools and then Error Checking.

Also just to eliminate possible problems with the iClone installation have you tried uninstalling and then re-installing it. (Backup your custom files first)

I hope you get this sorted out soon.

                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

I was able to update the drivers - I was mistaken because it stalled when it got to the part about the WDM drivers - I called ATI and they said that because I'm not using an All in Wonder card, I dont need them.

Also, it seems, if I render with Quick Shader - there are no crashes.  I did several tests, and it is only when I select High or Medium Quality that I get random crashes.  Prior to the last update, I selected High quality all the time, and there were no issues.  I read a post that the most recent update 2.1 now supports real time Pixel Shading.  Could this patch be the culprit?

The thing that happens is that one of my two monitors goes black, and the mouse stops working, then my only option is to power off.  Upon booting, I get the message system has recovered from a serious error.  Two times, I got the message that the video card accelerator had to reset itselt.

So, I repeat - with Quick Shader - I have no problems.  Now, I am ready to order the Nvidea 8600, I have to tell my guy by 4:00 today so I can have it tomorrow.  I am leaning towards this card anyway.  So, with all that I am telling you, do you think it could be the video card.

I am using XP.

Nothing else on my computer crashes (video editing, poser, etc.)

Alley

I'm certainly not able to tell you that by buying the Nvidia card all your problems will go away, especially without your dxdiag.txt file being checked out first. From what you have said it seems to be pointing towards a graphics card issue but it could turn out to be something else. The obvious thing is not always the answer as I've long found with computers over the years.

The Nvidia card would be a good purchase and certainly able to run iClone with all features turned on including Pixel Shader and with high quality set so you shouldn't have any problems there. Pixel Shader was available before the 2.1 update by the way but your graphics card could be having problems with the update and the higher settings.

If you do go for the new card make sure to follow the instructions for installing the card and removal / install of drivers as this is important with a new card. Once you have it running then get the latest Nvidia drivers for the card.

Good luck whatever you decide to do, and remember you can still send that dxdiag.txt file to Support to have them take a look at it.

                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

I added the dxdiag.txt file to my support ticket.  I ordered the nvidea card - 8600 GTS I think it is.  I will have it installed at the shop, and make sure they update to the latest drivers for me, etc.  I will let you know if that solves the problem.  Fingers crossed.:unsure:

Alley

I did run the "Checker" and everything shows to be OK.  I did forward my diagnostics result file to your support people for their analysis.

While a graphics card for this laptop probably won't happen, I would purchase a new card for another computer I have, but, I would rather purchase an economical card such as the Nvidia 5700, 5800, or 5900 if those cards would indeed work properly.

A related question I have is with regards to the computers that would be used to view a completed project.  I am wondering why the requirements for the card on the designer's PC is greater than that on the viewer's PC.  In other words, will the viewer PC's display satisfactorily show the iClone2 projects if a low or lower quality video adapter is in use?

Thank you for the advice.  I am very interested in this amazing product.

Norm.

Hi fpc,

The "Go" versions of Nvidia graphics cards, are not exactly the same as the dedicated graphics cards found in desktop machines. Typically "Go" versions use shared memory with your computer which is not as efficent as using a card with its own memory on board. This may account for the problems you sometimes experience.

When it comes to buying a new graphics card I would urge you to go for at least a series 6 card rather than a 5 if you can. The prices of series 6 have come down quite a bit recently so I'm sure you would be able to find one for a good price. The 6600 is a good start point I would say and a little more future proof than going for a series 5.

When it comes to displaying iClone .vns projects then to get the same performance, the viewers computer would need to be equal to the designers. If the viewer is watching a rendered video of a project then of course a lesser powered computer should be fine as long as it meets the minimum requirements for showing video.

My advice to anyone thinking of buying a new graphics card is always go for the very best you can afford. The bargain offers you see may seem tempting as a way to save money, but if they only last you a very short time before you need to upgrade again it isn't quite the bargain it might first seem.

                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com