Video Graphics Card Adjustments for FARO SCENE Usage

If you have the recommended computer specs by FARO for SCENE or/and AS-Built is running slow, follow these directions to help. We recommend this process even if it's not running slow.

The TWO Steps to this process are below:

*Please note: Sometimes when Windows does an update these settings revert back. Simply change them again or verify they have not changed when you have Windows install an update.

When using FARO software, your computer should only use one graphics card. If your computer has two graphics cards, set one as the system default. There are two ways to specify that your computer should use a particular graphics card. See below for details.

1. Specify the graphics card at the BIOS level, so the correct card can be accessed when the computer boots; OR
2. Set the preferred graphics card in the graphics card control panel.

Many computers are have two graphics cards: one integrated and one dedicated. Each type of card is listed in the Microsoft Windows Device Manager. Graphics display problems can occur in FARO software when computers have both types of graphics cards, so configure your computer to only use one type of card. As FARO software is graphics intensive, we recommend the NVIDIA graphics card for all FARO software.

Prepare

Please review this table before you begin to ensure your success.

CAM2 Users: Disabling the integrated graphics card may cause issues with CAM2 2018.1 and later.

HP Laptops:

1. Restart the computer and hold the Escape key. (Note: The "entering startup" menu will be displayed at the bottom left of the screen)
2. Select Bios setup.
3. Select the Advanced tab.
4. Select Built-in Device options.
5. Under "Graphics" you will see a drop down option, select "Discrete Graphics".
6. Select the Main tab and then select "Save Changes and Exit".

Dell Laptops:

1. Restart the computer.
2. As the system logo is loading, press the F12 key to get to the system BIOS.
3. Select BIOS Setup.
4. From the BIOS screen, expand the Video group.
5. Select Optimus.
6. Un-check Enable Optimus.
7. Select Apply at the bottom right.
8. Select Exit at the bottom right.

Set the Graphics Card in the Graphics Card Control Panel

For computers with multiple graphic cards, it is necessary to specify which card will be used when running software applications.

For the purposes of example, we use the NVIDIA graphics card. Substitute your graphics card name instead if you are using a different graphics card. You may have to look up instructions for your specific graphics cards online. Please contact your computer vendor for more information about how to deactivate the integrated graphic card if you are not using a NVIDIA graphics card.

1. Right-click on the desktop and choose NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. On the left hand side, select 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings.
• In the Global presets drop-down menu, select 3D App - Game Development.
• In the Preferred graphic processor drop-down menu, select High-performance NVIDIA processor.
  
3. On the left hand side, select 3D Settings > Set PhysX Configuration.

• In the Select a PhysX processor drop-down menu, select your graphics card (it should not be set to “Auto-select” or “CPU”).