ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - Standard Settings (Sample)
The Standard Settings page provides access to a universal slider control where you can simultaneously adjust all of the standard 3D settings for any type of 3D application. The slider enables you to adjust for overall system performance, overall 3D image quality, or a balance between the two.
This page is useful when you are not aware of which type of 3D settings your application uses, or when you want to use an overall adjustment control that rapidly configures your application.
Preview your changes
The preview image automatically displays your adjustments. On systems running Windows Vista™ you can see the new settings displayed on the left half of the preview window and the current settings on the right.
Optionally, for systems running Windows® XP or Windows® 2000, double-click 3D Preview for a full-screen view of the adjustments you have made. To exit full-screen Preview, press the Esc key.
The Preview can be disabled by clicking the X button in the Preview pane. It can also be paused by clicking the || button in the Preview pane. Clicking the pause button again causes the preview to resume.
Adjust your Standard Settings
The default selection is Balanced.
From the Graphics Settings tree, click 3D.
Click Standard Settings.
If necessary, remove the check mark from Use custom settings.
Click and drag the Control slider to the left to select High or Optimal Performance, or to the right to select High or Optimal Quality.
Anti-Aliasing
ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - Standard Settings (Sample)
Anti-aliasing (AA) is a rendering technique designed to remove jagged edges, shimmering, and pixelation problems that are common in rendered 3D images. Rather than determining the color to display for each pixel by sampling a single location at the pixel's center, anti-aliasing samples multiple locations within each pixel and blends the results together to produce the final color.
Anti-Aliasing can be set to favor either system processing performance or image quality, or the application can decide:
Setting for performance is best used when the 3D image is animated and smooth motion is the most important consideration.
Setting for quality is best used when highly detailed and realistic 3D objects is the most important consideration.
If you are unsure of how to configure anti-aliasing, let the application decide. You can then control the level of anti-aliasing within the application.
ATI Radeon™ graphics cards with SmoothVision™ technology use an anti-aliasing method known as multi-sample anti-aliasing (MSAA). This method takes samples from 2×, 4×, or 6× programmable locations within each pixel and uses gamma-correction sample blending to produce smooth polygon edges.
Super Anti-Aliasing on CrossFire™
CrossFire™ configurations offer an improvement over standard MSAA capabilities, extending the range of sample locations from 2×, 4×, or 6× to include 8×, 10×, 12×, and 14× programmable locations. Anti-aliasing on CrossFire™ configurations use both the MSAA mode and another mode called super-sample anti-aliasing (SSAA). SSAA affects every pixel in an image and is most effective for improving the quality of some types of textures, especially those with transparent portions that exhibit aliasing that is not removed by MSAA techniques.
NOTE: SSAA is available on an ATI multi-GPU system only
when CrossFire™ is enabled.
SSAA first renders a scene at a higher resolution than the output to the display, which is then down sampled to the display's resolution. It can also make use of a more effective sample pattern that does a better job of anti-aliasing near-horizontal and near-vertical edges, resulting in better overall image quality.
Super Anti-Aliasing on ATI Radeon™ X2900 and above
Starting with the X2900 series, the ATI Radeon™ graphics cards, in addition to using MSAA, provide SSAA capabilities but using a different method than an CrossFire™ configuration. The ATI Radeon™ X2900 series use anti-aliasing filters, which increase the effective number of samples. For example, by choosing the wide-tent filter at an anti-aliasing level of 8×, the effective sampling rate is 16×, which approaches the anti-aliasing capabilities of CrossFire™.
ATI Radeon™ X2900 Anti-Aliasing filters are:
Box - Uses only samples from within the current pixel. All samples are equally weighted. (Produces the sharpest look; fastest performance.)
Narrow-tent - Uses samples from the current pixel and the surrounding area. Samples are weighted based on their distance from the pixel center. (Produces a softer look, slightly slower.)
Wide-tent - Uses samples from the current pixel and the surrounding area. Samples chosen by the wide-tent filter include areas a little bit further away from the current pixel than samples used by the narrow filter, but not from areas further away than 1.25 times the current pixel radius. Samples are weighted based on their distance from the pixel center. (Produces a softer look; slightly slower.)
Set the Anti-Aliasing preference manually
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click Anti-Aliasing.
Ensure the application override is disabled. To do so, make sure the Use application settings check box is cleared. The slider control will become available.
Click the Level slider and move the selector to your preferred setting:
To increase processing performance, move the slider to the left.
To increase image quality, move the slider to the right.
NOTE: The Level slider controls the number of samples taken and processed using Multi-Sample Anti-Aliasing. The more samples taken, the higher the image quality.
If the graphics card supports filters, in the Filter box select a filter type to produce the image quality you prefer.
Set Temporal Anti-Aliasing (using SmoothVision™ HD)
Increases image quality without impacting performance by taking fewer image samples but at a faster rate.
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click Anti-Aliasing.
Clear the Use application settings check box.
Select the Temporal anti-aliasing check box.
Adaptive Anti-Aliasing
Adaptive Anti-Aliasing
ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - Adaptive Anti-Aliasing (Sample)
Adaptive anti-aliasing is a technique that applies a combination of multi-sampling (MSAA) and super-sampling (SSAA) on 3D objects to improve edge smoothness and fine detail. This feature renders 3D objects containing transparencies more realistic, providing exceptional levels of image quality while maintaining performance.
Set the level of Adaptive Anti-Aliasing
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click Adaptive Anti-Aliasing.
Select the Enable Adaptive Anti-Aliasing check box.
Click and drag the Adaptive Anti-Aliasing slider to the desired setting.
Anisotropic Filtering
Anisotropic Filtering
ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - Anisotropic Filtering (Sample)
Anisotropic filtering is a technique that preserves detail on surfaces that have three-dimensional perspective and fade away into the background. It works best when used in conjunction with Mipmapping.
Anisotropic filtering can be set to favor either an increase in system processing performance or improved image quality:
Setting for performance is best used with applications that display objects with smooth, simple surfaces, such as those seen in CAD applications.
Setting for quality is best used with applications that display highly detailed scenes, backgrounds, and textured objects, such as those seen in 3D games.
If you are unsure how to configure anisotropic filtering, use the Use application settingsoption. Your display will automatically adjust to the application's requirements.
Set the Anisotropic Filtering preference manually
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click Anisotropic Filtering.
Ensure the application override is disabled. To do so, make sure the Use application settings check box is cleared. The slider control will become available.
Click the control slider and move the selector to your preferred setting:
To increase processing performance, move the slider to the left.
To increase image quality, move the slider to the right.
Set the Anisotropic Filtering to automated preference
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click Anisotropic Filtering.
Ensure the application override is enabled. To do so, make sure the Use application settings check box is selected.
NOTE: The slider control becomes unavailable.
Catalyst® A.I.
Catalyst® A.I.
ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - Catalyst® A.I. (Sample)
Catalyst® A.I. makes use of ATI's new texture analyzer technology to optimize performance in 3D applications, while maintaining or even improving image quality. It analyzes individual textures as they are loaded to determine the best and fastest way to display them.
Use the Standard slider setting to achieve optimal results without impacting performance. Use the Advanced slider setting to achieve even better results with minimal impact on performance.
Catalyst® A.I. includes application-specific detection for various games and games engines such as Doom 3, the Half Life 2 engine, Unreal Tournament 2003, Unreal Tournament 2004, Splinter Cell, Race Driver, Prince of Persia, and Crazy Taxi 3.
Disable Catalyst® A.I.
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Select Catalyst® A.I.
Select Disable Catalyst® A.I.to place a check mark in the check box.
Set Catalyst® A.I. settings
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand3D.
Click Catalyst® A.I.
If necessary, clear the check mark fromDisable Catalyst® A.I.
Click and drag to slider to the desired setting.
NOTE: Setting the Catalyst™ A.I. to Advanced improves the performance of some games. For more information, consult the publisher of the game or contact AMD Customer Care.
Mipmap Detail Level
Mipmap Detail Level
ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - Mipmap Detail Level (Sample)
Mipmapping is a texturing technique that preserves the detail on a 3D object's surface as it moves into the background. A series of high- and low-resolution texture maps are stored in memory and selectively used to create the object's surface, depending on what level of detail is needed.
Mipmap detail level can be set to favor either an increase in system processing performance or improved image quality:
Setting for performance is best used when the 3D image is animated and smoothness of motion is the most important consideration.
Setting for quality is best used when high surface detail is required, especially if the animated object rotates or moves into the background.
Set the Mipmap detail level
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click Mipmap Detail Level.
Click and drag the slider to the left to increase processing performance, or to the right to increase image quality.
All Settings
ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - All Settings (Sample)
The All Settings page combines all of the principal 3D features onto a single page, without any preview window, allowing for quick access and adjustment. You can change the settings for the following 3D features as you normally would on each feature's own page:
Anti-Aliasing
Anisotropic Filtering
Catalyst™ A.I.
Mipmap Detail Level
Adaptive Anti-Aliasing
This page is useful when it is not necessary to preview the adjusted settings because the effect is already known or understood.
Set the Anti-Aliasing preference manually
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click All Settings.
In the Anti-Aliasing section, ensure the application override is disabled. To do so, make sure the Use application settings check box is cleared. The slider control will become available.
Click the Level slider and move the selector to your preferred setting:
To increase processing performance, move the slider to the left.
To increase image quality, move the slider to the right.
NOTE: The Level slider controls the number of samples taken and processed using Multi-Sample Anti-Aliasing. The more samples taken, the higher the image quality.
If the graphics card supports filters, in the Filter box select a filter type to produce the image quality you prefer.
Set Temporal Anti-Aliasing
Expand 3D in Advanced View.
Click All Settings.
In the Anti-Aliasing section, clear the Use application settings check box.
Select the Temporal anti-aliasing check box.
Set the Anisotropic Filtering preference manually
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click All Settings.
In the Anisotropic Filtering section, ensure the application override is disabled. To do so, make sure the Use application settingscheck box is cleared. The slider control will become available.
Click the control slider and move the selector to your preferred setting:
To increase processing performance, move the slider to the left.
To increase image quality, move the slider to the right.
Set the Anisotropic Filtering to automated preference
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click All Settings.
In the Anisotropic Filtering section, ensure the application override is enabled. To do so, make sure the Use application settingscheck box is selected.
NOTE: The slider control becomes unavailable.
Set the Catalyst™ A.I. setting
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click All Settings.
Scroll to Catalyst™ A.I.
Click the control slider and move the selector to the left to increase processing performance, or to the right to increase image quality.
Set the Mipmap detail level
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click All Settings.
Scroll to Mipmap Detail Level.
Click the control slider and move the selector to the left to increase processing performance, or to the right to increase image quality.
Set Wait for vertical refresh setting
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click All Settings.
Scroll to Wait for vertical refresh.
Click the control slider and move the selector to the left to increase processing performance, or to the right to increase image quality.
Set the level of Adaptive Anti-Aliasing
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click Adaptive Anti-Aliasing.
Select the Enable Adaptive Anti-Aliasing check box.
Click and drag the Adaptive Anti-Aliasing slider to the desired setting.
API Settings
ATI Catalyst™ Control Center: 3D - API Settings (Sample)
Use the API Settings dialog to select settings that are exclusively for the Direct 3D® and OpenGL® Application Programmable Interfaces (API). These settings are provided for resolving certain incompatibilities within 3D applications that use one of these APIs.
Use this dialog when you are know which type of API (Direct 3D® or OpenGL®) your 3D application uses, and you want to select a particular API-specific feature.
If you are not sure which API your 3D application uses, consult the documentation of your 3D application.
Set Enable geometry instancing
Geometry Instancing allows the GPU to create multiple objects from a single geometric model, rather than passing an entire new model for each item on the screen. This increases the rendering speed of images such as leaves, or grass.
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click API Settings.
Select the Enable geometry instancingcheck box.
Set Support DXT texture formats for Direct 3D®
This option enables support for DirectX® compressed texture formats. DXT requires half the amount of memory to draw the same amount of textures. This frees up memory while achieving high quality graphics.
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand3D.
Click API Settings.
Select the Support DXT texture formatscheck box.
Set Alternate pixel center for Direct 3D®
This might eliminate problems with certain Direct 3D® games that display vertical and horizontal lines around textures or display text incorrectly. This setting should only be enabled if you are experiencing these issues, as it may cause problems in other games.
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click API Settings.
Select the Alternate pixel centercheck box.
Set Triple buffering for OpenGL®
Enabling Triple buffering will improve the frame rate of games when vertical sync is enabled, only if the frame rate is less than the vertical sync refresh rate. In low memory situations, enabling Triple buffering may decrease application performance as there will be less frame buffer memory available for texture and geometry data. If there is insufficient memory available to support Triple buffering, it will automatically be disabled.
From the Graphics Settings tree, expand 3D.
Click API Settings.
Select the Triple bufferingcheck box.
Set Force 24-bit Z-buffer depth for OpenGL®
Enables you to explicitly set the Z-buffer depth. Most applications will work best with the Disabled setting.
