3D Graphics Technical Preview

This release includes a Technical Preview of a completely new cross platform 3D graphics system being developed for AutoCAD, leveraging all the power of modern GPUs and multi-core CPUs to offer a smooth navigation experience for much larger drawings than in prior releases.

This technical preview is off by default. When turned on, the modern graphics system takes over viewports using the Shaded visual style. The modern graphics system may eventually replace the existing 3D graphics system. Before we finalize it, we want you to try it out and give us feedback.

Feedback

If you have feedback about missing functionality that you can't live without, encounter bugs, experience less than smooth navigation or interactions regardless of model size, please let us know. We would love to hear your feedback about this technical preview!

Provide feedback at the Autodesk Feedback Community: https://feedback.autodesk.com

Note: Because this feature is a technical preview, details and functionality are subject to change.

Requirements

The modern graphics system requires DirectX 12 capable hardware and software. The minimum DirectX 12 feature level is 11_0. You can verify these requirements are met by running the DXDIAG command from the Windows Start menu. This is an example of a system that meets the requirements:

Activating and Deactivating

Note: In AutoCAD 2023, the 3DTECHPREVIEW system variable has been deprecated. Use FASTSHADEDMODE to turn the new 3D graphics engine on and off. A restart of AutoCAD is no longer required.

The technical preview is turned ON and OFF with the 3DTECHPREVIEW system variable.

Important: You'll need to restart AutoCAD for the change to take effect.

By default, the technical preview is OFF. To turn it ON, enter the following at the command line:

Then restart AutoCAD.

In the Shaded visual style, (GSF) is shown in the viewport control to indicate that the technical preview is active and using the modern graphics system.

Limitations

The modern graphics system does not currently support the following features:

• Raster images
• TrueType text
• Wide line support (e.g., line weights, wide polylines)
• Ray/XLine
• Line types and patterns
• Fence and lasso selection
• Block editor (BEDIT)
• Display and sub entity selection of edges in 3D objects
• Drawings that are saved with an active Shaded viewport will not have a valid preview

It is also limited to the Shaded viewports outside of PAPERSPACE. In PAPERSPACE, a Shaded viewport continues to use the existing graphics system.

New System Variables

3DTECHPREVIEW - Specifies whether the 3D technical preview is turned on or off.

Note: In AutoCAD 2023, the 3DTECHPREVIEW system variable has been deprecated. Use FASTSHADEDMODE to turn the new 3D graphics engine on and off. A restart of AutoCAD is no longer required.