Viewer FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions about viewing files in the Files tool.

• High Performance Graphics
  • Why are my models slow, crashing, or not performing as expected on Windows?
  • How can I configure my system to use the high-performance graphics card?
• Transparency
  • Why do overlapping transparent objects look clearer?
• Model Display
  • Why can't I see the model?
  • Why is the model distorted and shimmering?

High Performance Graphics

Why are my models slow, crashing, or not performing as expected on Windows?

Model performance in Autodesk Forma can vary depending on size of models, complexity, and hardware. Many laptops and notebooks often come equipped with dual graphics hardware, combining a graphics adapter integrated into the motherboard with a faster, discrete graphics adapter. This setup is designed to balance performance with energy consumption.

Typically, the discrete, high-performance adapter is used for demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and graphics-intensive applications, while the energy efficient adapter handles routine tasks to conserve battery life.

When working with Autodesk products or tools that are graphically intense, such as the viewer in Model Coordination, switching between graphics adapters in the middle of an operation can lead to display and performance issues or program crashes. Also, by default, Windows defaults to the energy efficient option. Configuring your browser to always use the high-performance adapter when working in the Autodesk viewer, including in Model Coordination, will avoid these issues.

This will not impact those with commodity hardware with no high-performance GPU, but will impact anyone using higher specification machines.

How can I configure my system to use the high-performance graphics card?

On Windows, you can configure the graphics settings for your internet browser or for your graphics card, to use high-performance graphics by default.

On Windows 11:

1. If applicable, check that you have the latest version of your graphics card video driver installed. For example:

   • NVIDIA downloads
   • AMD support
   • Intel Graphics Software

2. Right-click the desktop and then click Display settings to open the System > Display dialog.

3. Depending on your system, either access the Related settings section and click Graphics, or click the Graphics settings option.

4. Search for or browse to your browser app or your graphics card app as appropriate.

   Tip: To add your preferred browser:
   1. Click Add desktop app.
   2. Use Windows explorer to search for or browse to the required app. For example, C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\Chrome.
   3. Click Add.

5. Expand the required item and click the GPU preference drop-down list. For example:

   

   Tip: This may look different depending on your system. Alternatively there may be an Options button that enables you to specify the graphics specifications for each app.

6. Select the High Performance option.

7. Reload or restart your browser to confirm that the new settings have been applied.

It's also possible to configure settings for your graphics card directly. See How to configure Autodesk software to use high-performance graphics for more information.

Transparency

Why do overlapping transparent objects look clearer?

The viewer uses order-independent transparency (OIT) to render transparent objects, such as glass walls, ducts, and windows. This removes the flickering and incorrect layering that could appear where transparent objects overlapped. OIT applies automatically, so there's no setting to turn on.

Model Display

Why can't I see the model?

If the model is empty, an error message will display. However, if there is no error message and you can't see your model click the Fit to View icon on the viewer toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

If the view still appears empty, the model bounds may be too large because of a distant object or line.

1. Open the model browser on the left navigation toolbar.

2. Scroll the model tree and hide a group of objects which you think are distant to the model.

3. Click the Fit to View icon

4. If you still can't see the model properly, repeat steps 2 and 3 above for a different group of objects.

   Once you've hidden the distant object or line, you should be able to see the model. To fully address this issue, open the model in your authoring application, remove the distant object or line and add the file back into the Files tool for viewing.

Why is the model distorted and shimmering?

If the model seems distorted or shimmering as you navigate, either:

• The bounds of the model are too large caused by a distant object or line
• The model is far from the origin (origin x,y,z coordinates = 0,0,0)

1. Navigate the model by zooming in and out.
2. Open the model browser on the left navigation toolbar.
3. Scroll the model tree and hide a group of objects.
4. Click the Fit to View icon
5. If you still can't see the model properly, repeat steps 2 and 3 above for a different group of objects.

You may still see distorted model objects even when the distant object or line is hidden. To fully address this issue, open the model in your authoring application, remove the distant object or line and add the file back into the Files tool for viewing.

If you have repeated steps 2 and 3 for all objects and the problem persists, check the position of the model itself. Models that are far from origin (origin x,y,z coordinates = 0,0,0) may display similar issues. Move the model closer to the origin in the authoring application, save and add the file back to the Files tool.