9

Video Driver and Display Problems 897
2.
Open the Viewport panel and check your
currently installed driver.
If it’s not the Software driver, proceed.
Other wise, you can cancel and begin the
diagnostics elsewhere.
3. If set to OpenGL, Direct3D, or a custom
driver,clicktheChooseDriverbutton.
The Graphics Driver Setup dialog is
displayed.
4. Choose Soft w are and click OK.
You’ll see a message that the changes will
take effect the next t ime you start 3ds Max.
5. Exit 3ds Max and restart the program.
6. Tryperformingthetaskthatwasgivingyou
problems.
• Resetting the configuration before starting
3ds Max.
1. Fr om the Windows Start menu, navigate to
the3dsMaxsubmenuandchooseChange
Graphics Mode.
3ds Max starts up and displays t he Graphics
Dri ver Setup dialog.
2. Choose the Software driver and try
perform ing the task that was giving you
problems once the program opens.
If the problem does not persist, you know that
you’ve encountered a display problem. If this is
the case, check the following with regards to
your video card:
• Verify that the video card supports the
driver you attempted to use.
Some cards don’t fully support OpenGL or
Direct3D.
• You might not have the latest video drivers
for the card.
Cont act the board manufacturer for updated
drivers.
• If you were originally configured for
OpenGL,tryDirect3D,orviceversa.
The driver for the graphics card may have
better support for one driver than other.
Direct3D Failed to Initia lize Message
3ds Max supports both DirectX 8.1 and 9. When
configuring the display settings, you choose
DirectX 9 and start 3ds Max only to receive a
message telling you that “Direct3D failed to
initialize. Pleasemakesureyouhavethelatest
version of DirectX installed.”
This usually means your card doesn’ t support
DirectX 9 or you don’t have DirectX 9 installed.
Revert the Direct3D version back to DirectX 8.1
and confirm that you are running the latest version
of DirectX.
1. Choose Start > Run.
2. In the Open field, type dx dia g and click OK.
3. On the System tab, check t he DirectX version.
If it shows D irectX 8.1, you need to download
the newer version from Microsoft.
Direct3D Repor ts a Memory Warning
Yo u m a y e n c o u n t e r a m e m o r y w a r n i n g w h e n
starting 3ds Max if you’ve configured the program
to use the Direct3D driver.
Thiswarningdialogusuallyappearsifyouhave
several programs, that heavily i mpact the video
memory of your graphics card, running and you