This may be long winded, pls bear with me. When I render in DAZ, it comes out black on save. I checked the video card drp down and found this ...

Current OpenGL Version:
1.2
OpenGL Provider:
S3 Graphics
Hardware:
KM400/KN400/MMX/K3D
Features:
MultiTexturing
Supported

Shadow Map
Not Supported

Hardware Antialiasing
Not Supported

OpenGL Shading Language
Not Supported

Maximum Number of Lights
8

Number of Texture Units
2

Maximum Texture Size
1024 x 1024

Some of the things I've read say i need a different driver. Locating said driver (assuming I found the right one) I installed and still nothing. I may not be associating the driver properly or may have the wrong one.

My question is this, for OpenGL 1.2 ( and i realize that isnt all that isnt supported, but my main concern atm), do I need that driver? and if so, WHAT DRIVER do i get????
If not, do I need to get a better card, such as ATI?

Please help, I'm getting really frustrated with this. I can't save anything, can't render anything and I'm about to give up trying 3D Modeling and Rendering. Nothing I have supports it!!!

Thanks
RaginsWolf

S3 doesn't have an adequate OpenGL implementation and Studio really requires it. As to a new card if your primary focus is OpenGL then I recommend a nVidia 5200FX or higher. Some people have gotten good results with ATI 9xxx series but I haven't used them with Studio.

I've got a nVidia 5200FX as well and its been great so far and not too expensive if money is an issue. When I first installed it I didnt get the toon render options but now I've put the latest drivers on it works fine.

Tne 5200 series are all 64 bit, I think I'm running a 32 bit still, I got my PC on the heels of the 64 bit explosion. Will the 5200 series still work on my pc? It's only a year and half old. I do have pci slots and my processor is an AMD Thunderbird. Video card is a KM400 series VIA using the S3 driver series.

Thanks for responding, any help will be gratefully appreciated.

RaginsWolf

I'm still on 32 bit too. I have a gigabite K7 motherboard and an amd 2400 chip, my pc is a couple of years old so i would think it would be ok for you.

The FX5200 is quite happy in regular Windows XP, it doesn't require (and predates) 64 bit operating systems, if that's what you mean. If you have an AGP slot use that - it makes the data transfer faster than PCI (they are different slots - you can't put an AGP card in a PCI slot or vice-versa): if you mean you have a PCI-E slot that's even better, but again the card has tomatch the slot type. I'm getting decent performance from an FX5200, Athlon 1700XP, 768MB RAM, Win XP Home if that helps you assess your system.

Stick with NVidia- you'll get more speed from your S3 by dropping it out of the window. Nvidia 6200, 6600, and 6800's are more cheaply available now, and if you are feeling flushed, get a 7800. If you are looking to be all professional, like, get an Nvidia QuadroFX series. BUT it will be brilliant at running your 3D apps, but crap at games. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.

I'm running Win2KPro .. does that make a diff? As for games, no gamer here, lol ... just creative juices overflowing trying to find that 3D outlet that works! Thanks again RaginsWolf

Hmmm... Win XP Pro is the most delicious with up-to-date drivers.... it maybe time for an OS upgrade too.... and Vista is closing in on the horizon. But I wouldn't have thought you'd have too much trouble with Win2K Pro...

nVidia drivers support both Windows XP and 2000, so you will be OK there

ati9x00 work fine that I can see. I have an ati 9600xt...no problems that I haven't seen anywhere, Meaning opengl doesn't do final renders well in D|S no matter what you have. Get something with opengl 2.

Well I thank you all for your answers, I've decided to get a copy of Poser, which I have done .. Poser 5. I've messed a bit in there and it seems to work much better on what i've got than D|S did.

Thanks again
RaginsWolf

If you are using D|S make sure you set the renderer to 3delight. The opengl is not good for rendering. Glad you found something that works tho.