05. AutoPIPE graphics take a very long time to refresh, slow, slugish

	Applies To
	Product(s):	AutoPIPE
	Version(s):	ALL
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	graphics
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

Problem:

When performing the following operations: Analyze, Zoom, Pan, Rotate, the graphics take a very long time to refresh making it difficult to use the program.

How to resolve?

Solution:

Step #1: Modify Settings in AutoPIPE

First, be sure that the model does not exceed the 10,000 node point limit. Very large models will have varying amount of lag due to their size. Recommend the following AutoPIPE settings:

Note: this can be an iterative process.

a. Switch to single line mode (View > Single Line Mode) instead of using Wire frame or Solid Model View

b. Select View> Settings> Set "No. of Wires = 4", disable the following: Show Origin, Show Tee Arrows, Mouse Over for Point Symbbols, Hardware Acceleration

c. If the above does not help, try enabling some/all of Level of details checkboxes:

- Hide text

- Switch to line mode

- Less level of detail

View> Setup> Level of Detail>

d. Does the above steps help the application run more smoothly?

If NO, suggest to disable (i.e. Turn OFF) Point names, Support Tags, & Point Symbols by selecting icon under Show> Label>

e. Save the model to a local folder instead of the server, when completed copy file to a server location.

f. Turn off Hardware Acceleration in Windows Control Panel. Note some graphics cards may not support this feature.

Step #2: Modify Graphic card settings

Open Windows Device manager and review "Display Adapters".

By default a computer maybe graphically processing all applications using a generic graphics processor (ex. Intel Graphics) while a much more powerful 2nd graphics card would be better suited. There are performance settings on most graphics cards to handle higher graphic laden programs like AutoPIPE, CAD systems, etc.. Making modifications to these settings will greatly increase the performance of the program. If your computer has 2nd display adapter perform the following:

Step #1: Close all AutoPIPE programs

Step #2: Navigate to the autopipe.exe file found in the following folder:

AutoPIPE CONNECT 10.00.00.10 and higher:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\AutoPIPE CONNECT

AutoPiPE V8i 09.06.xx - 09.01.xx.xx

C:\Bentley\AutoPIPE V8i *****

Step #3: Using the mouse, right-click on autopipe.exe

Step #4: Select Run with graphic processor, and then select High performance NVIDIA processor

Note:

1. If the computer has an NVIDIA graphics card this feature maybe turned off by default. Enable it

a. Open NVIDIA Control Panel

b. On the NVIDIA control panel, under the Desktop menu drop-down select "Add "High performance NVIDIA processor" to Context Menu".

c. Close NVIDIA control panel and try Step #3 above again.

2. The setting maybe different for your computer and graphics card settings. Research and find what setting needs to be modified on your system (Enabling Applications to run with the NVIDIA Graphics Processor)

Options:

a. High Performance NVIDIA Processor uses your graphics card with dedicated memory, Results are shorter Battery Life.

b. Integrated graphics uses RAM and the video chip on your Motherboard, Results are longer Battery Life..

In almost all case the "High Performance NVIDIA Processor" option is the best option for this manufacture type card.

Step #5: Start AutoPIPE, open a model and see if these changes help or make it worse. If worse, close AutoPIPE, select a different setting from Step #3 above. and repeat step #4 until it is determined which setting works best

Step #6: Finished, if still having troubles continue below.

Step #3: Update Hardware Drivers

Update your graphics driver. Ask your IT department for instruction to perform this task.

Step #4: Graphic Cards Known To Have Issues

The CAE development team has found that some Intel brand graphic cards have known issue when installed on a computer running AutoPIPE

-> Intel HD 530

Review of card compared to others.

-> Intel HD 4000

Intel HD 4000 has some performance issue with OpenGL. These have been reported and discussed on Intel communities/forums.

Query on Intel communities for "HD 4000 OpenGL Performance" , you will find several reports - some of which listed below.

a. HD Graphics 4000 performance issues with OpenGL - Windows

b. OpenGL performance in HD4000 driver

c. Issue with OpenGL code on Intel HD 4000 card (Windows 8)

d. problem in Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 with OpenGL

e. Intel HD4000 problem with OpenGL sample

f. Is that a GLSL 330 / GL 3.3(core profile) bug in Intel HD 4000?

g. OpenGL 1.4 support on HD 3000 and 4000

Recommendation

Typical Recommendations that may help computer suffering from slow response times; see link below for 4 ways to improve/maximize graphics performance for a Intel HD graphics system:

http://www.pvladov.com/2013/01/improve-intel-hd-graphics-performance.html

1. Update the graphics card driver
2. Increase the amount of RAM and make it work in dual channel mode
3. Make sure the graphics card is not in power saving mode
4. Set the 3D preference of Intel HD Graphics to "Performance"

There are several parameters other than graphics adapter alone that can influence graphics performance e.g. Processor, Memory, Hard-drive access speed etc. But as a general rule - specialized (discrete) graphics adapters always perform better than on board built in graphic chips for graphics intensive applications like that used in a CAD environment.

Here is a link to a good article on selecting a graphics card that works well with AutoPIPE.

Step #5: Windows Themes

The performance was slow because of the Windows theme. Changing to Windows Default theme may resolved performance issues.

Win 10: Default theme = Windows or Windows 10

Steps to change Theme:

Step 1: Click on Start button

Step 2: Type Settings.

Step 3: Select Settings App from listing above

Step 4: On the left-side of the Settings app, click Personalization.

Step 5: On the left-side, click Themes.

Step 6: Click on default theme: Windows or Windows 10 image.

Step 6: Done !!!, close application.

Win 7: Default theme = Aero

Steps to change Theme:

Step 1: Right click anywhere on the desktop.

Step 2: Select Personalization, located at the bottom of the listing.

Step 3: Select Windows 7 from the Aero Themes group listing.

Step 4: Done !!!, close application.

Step #6: Change Windows Performance:

1. Open the Start menu

2. type sysdm.cpl press return

3. Select Advance tab and press Settings button

4. Select radio button in front of "Adjust for best performance", and confirm most, if not all of the options below were unchecked.

Note:

Here are some possible effects to disable for better performance:

Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing

Animations in the taskbar and Start Menu

Enable transparent glass

Fade or slide menus into view

Fade or slide ToolTips into view

Fade out menu items after clicking

Show shadows under windows

Slide open combo boxes

Naturally, this and all the other possible settings are a matter of personal choice. Also, how performance is affected depends on the nature of your particular system.

Step #7: Reformat the computer

Some users have reported after reformatting the machine and reinstalled AutoPIPE that the software now runs perfectly fine.

Problem Continues:

If the issue continues after making adjustments mentioned above, please log a Bentley Service Request that includes the following attachments:

a. Answer question, does the problems occur with every model or just one specific model? suggest to test with a default AutoPIPE example model, search Example models here.

b. AutoPIPE APC file of model that runs slow

c. Computer information - click here (ignore item #4 on linked page).