Query for Nvidia users

Hi all. Recently downloaded new drivers for my video card, the GeForce9500GT. Theres a slight problem. I get a control panel - one of the options is adjusting the settings with a sliding scale between performance and quality.

(The sliding scale is accompanied by a rotating graphic in the shape of an eye)

Once the slide is set to quality sl looks great... however if I dont remember to adjust the slider to that position each time I turn on my pc and before starting sl everything in sl has jagged edges - I assume its an anti alias issue.

If I leave sl and set the sliding scale to performance and start sl again great. Smooth images - fantastic.

So how do i get the video card to retain those settings without having to set them each time. I assumed once I pressed the apply button the info would be stored ....

I run Linux, so your nVidia control panel and my nVidia control panel are going to be very different. However, I suspect what may be going on is that you are adjusting the DirectX performance settings. SL uses OpenGL rather than DirectX. Be sure you make your adjustments to the OpenGL settings (there may only be two or three of them).

At any rate, you are usually far better off leaving such settings as antialiasing and anisotropic filtering to "application preference", and then going into the applications themselves and set to your liking. You can access the AA and AF settings within the SL viewer by clicking the "Hardware Settings" button in your graphics preference panel.

Under the nVidia control panel there is a feature, Manage 3d Settings, for your programs. Is this what you have tried and the settings don't hold?

when the control panel opens the 'page' is headed 'adjust image settings with preview'

as I described it has this rotating eye symbol and a sliding scale control, there are also three options I have the one called 'use my preference emphasizing quality' selected.

The green eye shape changes depending whether the scale is set to preformance or quality.

It looks as if sl is switching back to the 'performance' mode of its own accord when my pc is turned off.

SL does not control that feature, and Katheryne is correct about the significance of that setting.

If you want to tinker with an individual program, there should be the next menu option for managing 3d settings for individual programs. If SL is not listed on the program list, there is an option to add whatever program you want.

I wonder if your control panel features differ?

according to the top of the control panel it says the page allows me to make changes to image and rendering settings. It also says these will be the default settings for 3d programmes utililizing direct3d or opengl.

I've always used SL's graphics preferences instead of the Nvidia control panel to control SL's graphics. Anti-aliasing is under the Hardware Options button. SL remembers it so you only need to set it once.

so presumably the higher the number the higher the degree of antialiasing ??

Yes.

Also, if your video card can handle it (yours should), enable Anisotropic Filtering. Why? Well, have you ever stood in the middle of a street in SL, or on a tiled floor, and noticed that the lines tend to dissolve and spread out about 10-15 meters ahead of you? AF fixes that.

Yes. I think 4x is optimal. 2x still has jaggies and 8X starts to look fuzzy. YMMV.

Dunno about it not holding the setting. But the better way is to click the "use advanced 3d settings" then "take me there" then add SL as a program to the list of programs (Program Settings tab) and set the settings individually for Secondlife.exe and your set

I always have to apply to save any settings. If I close the control panel without saving I get a pop up asking if I want to save my changes.............you are saving your changes, aren't you?

yep

it aint working

Did you try setting antialiasing within the game then, Maelstrom? I don't think you need to go into the Nvidia control panel unless you can't change settings within the specific application you're running.

As others have said, you can find antialiasing under Preferences>Graphics>Hardware Options (button). Make sure you're using the latest viewer too. I remember antialiasing not working in old viewers and having to manually change it in my Nvidia control panel, but it's been working in SL for me now since a long time.

And I agree you really need antialiasing if your card can handle it. Jagged edges make everything look horrendous.

agreed I suspect some people think thats the norm for sl and dont even realise they can change it.

I'll try tinkering with sl's settings and see what happens.

my tip:

if it ain't broke, don't upgrade it! :X


hi mal! ;P