I am running ACAD 2008 w/ MV on a Dell Precision PWS390 with Intel Core 2 Duo 6700@2.66Ghz and 2GB RAM.  I have a NVIDIA Quadro FX3450/4000 SDI card.  I have been having a problem with my 3d hide.  My construction holes continue to show when I switch to 3D Hidden mode.  I have changed my hideprecision to 1.  When I read up on it on ACAD's help menu I receive the following:

Performance Tuner Results Log
Version: 17.1.0.1
Date of Last Tune: 10/1/2007

Machine Configuration
---------------------
Processor Speed  : 2.7 GHz
RAM              : 2046 MB

3D Device
---------
Name             : NVIDIA Quadro FX 3450/4000 SDI
Manufacturer     : NVIDIA
Chip set         : Quadro FX 3450/4000 SDI
Memory           : 256.0 MB
Driver           : 6.14.0011.6250

Your machine contains a 3D Device that is not certified.

As more graphics cards and 3D display drivers are tested, they are added to a list on the Autodesk website.

You can check for updates and download the latest certification list at any time. Run the 3DCONFIG command and click the Check for Updates button.

Current application driver:    Software

Current Effect Status:
----------------------
Geometry acceleration:  Not recommended and off
Smooth line display:    Not available
Gooch shader:           using software emulation
Full-shadow display:    Not available
Texture compression:    Not available

Available application drivers and effect support:
-------------------------------------------------
Software driver
Effect support:

 Geometry acceleration:  Not available
 Smooth line display:    Not available
 Gooch shader:           Software emulation only
 Full-shadow display:    Not available
 Texture compression:    Not available

OpenGL driver:    Not Certified
Effect support:

 Geometry acceleration:  Available
 Smooth line display:    Available
 Gooch shader:           Available
 Full-shadow display:    Available
 Texture compression:    Available

Direct3D driver:  Certified
Effect support:

 Geometry acceleration:  Available
 Smooth line display:    Not available
 Gooch shader:           Available
 Full-shadow display:    Not available
 Texture compression:    Available

I guess my question is what type of video card do I need so that my construction holes are hidden??

Have you tried using the "Powerdraft" Quadro drivers for that card designed for AutoCad and other graphics programs?

The link below is for the 3450/4000 card running XP.

http://www.nvidia.com/content/license/location_0605.asp?url=http://us.download.nvidia.com/ws_apps/POWERdraft/15.09.03/15.09.03_POWERdraft.exe

Dave,

I installed the powerdraft drivers.  How do I confirm that the new drivers are in use?  I show my current driver as version 6.14.11.6262.

Hey Luke,

Make sure the hardware acceleration is set to "on". Also AutoCAD 08 supports Direct 3D so instead of the open GL settings try the direct 3D. Post back and let us know if it works or not.

 By the way what version of Windows are you running?

I'm running Windows XP SP2.  Hardware acceleration is set to on.  I am using the Direct 3d settings.  Any more ideas?  I have attached a jpeg of the type of picture I am seeing when I am in 3d Hidden mode.

It is hard to tell from the picture, but are you sure that your shelf holes are not drilling through the cabinet side completely?

I am positive they are not drilling all of the way thru. 

To reinforce that its not an isolated problem, I see the same thing when I use 3D hidden views in Autocad.  But I only have an ATI 9600 from 4 or 5 years ago.

Luke, can you post that drawing file here? I'll try to open it up and go through the drill to see if it is working for me. My video card is older but I do not have any issues like the one you show here. I am sure it is a setting we have to pinpoint.

Also like I said on an earlier post go to Autodesk (follow the link) and run the patch from there. Make sure you download the XP version. It shows number 6.14.0011.6250 as the latest patch.

 http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/hc?siteID=123112&id=6711853&linkID=9240618&is_results=1&card_sel=205-4318&manufac=0&card=205-4318&cert=0&d_stat=1&d_stat=2&d_stat=3&prod=AutoCAD-R17.1&os=1&os=2&os=256&os=512&os=2048

Yianni,

I have posted the drawing on the following ftp site:

ftp://calwoodinc.com/

username: microvellum.calwoodinc.com

password: 1025

Hey Luke,

I downloaded the drawing and as you see and my computer is able to hide most of everything as it should. If you have downloaded the patches from Autodesk website and installed everything successfully it should work as it supposed to. Keep in mind the graphics card I have is older and not even supported from Autodesk but it works (not perfect but good enough).

It is also a good idea to change couple of the AutoCADs system variables. First variable to change: type INTERSECTIONDISPLAY on your command line and set it ON. Second variable to change: type DISPSILH on your command line and set it to 1. These system variables control the 3D display of your 3D models and help cleaning the 3D model when it is in the HIDDEN mode.

 The problems you have is clearly a video card issue.

Hope this helps

Well, thanks for your help.  I modified those settings and it helped a little bit but not much.  Open GL works better that the Direct 3D.  I am having to constantly change those settings you suggested each time I open ACAD.  Is there a way to force those settings to remain?

To have those settings permanent open your template drawing and setup the variables. Then save the drawing template, this way every time you start a new job/drawing the settings will be set.