The Direct 3D® tab enables you to optimize the settings for programs that utilize Direct 3D®.
In the Main Settings section you can maximize overall performance by moving the slider to the left, or you can enhance overall image quality by moving the slider to the right.
When Custom Settings is enabled, the Main Settings slider is disabled, allowing you to choose your own individual slider settings in this section. Setting the individual sliders provides complete control over your application experience.
Note: Custom Settings is recommended for advanced users only.
The ATI Direct 3D® tab
The ATI Direct 3D® Tab
Anti-Aliasing Application Preference
Anti-aliasing smooths the edges of lines and text. Selecting Application Preference result in crisper edges, with a negligible reduction in the application's performance.
Anti-Aliasing Slider
Anti-Aliasing enhances 3D image quality by softening the jagged edges found in 3D scenes, providing smoother, more realistic 3D objects. Increasing the number of samples results in better image quality. Move the slider to the right to increase the number of samples taken per pixel.
Maximum Resolution Indicator
Indicates the maximum resolution supported at the current Anti-aliasing setting. The maximum resolution supported depends on the number of samples taken per pixel.
Anisotropic Filtering Application Preference
Anisotropic filtering uses a texture filtering technique that blends multiple texture samples together. Selecting Application Preference will result in sharper textures, with a negligible reduction in the application's performance.
Anisotropic Filtering Slider
The number of samples taken when anisotropic filtering is performed can vary. By moving this slider to the right, the number of samples taken increases, and the quality of the final image increases. 16X provides maximum detail, crisp-looking images as a result of the largest number of textures samples possible.
Texture Preference
This slider enables you to select the Direct 3D® texture quality level. Maximize overall Direct 3D® performance by moving the slider to the left. Enhance overall Direct 3D® image quality by moving the slider to the right.
Mipmap Detail Level
This slider enables you to adjust the Direct 3D® mipmap quality. Mipmaps are a set of texture maps of differing size and resolution used to represent a given texture. The texture map used for a 3D object is determined by the application, how close you are to an object and the Mipmap Detail Level slider setting. Maximize overall Direct 3D® performance by moving the slider to the left. Enhance overall Direct 3D® image quality by moving the slider to the right.
Wait for Vertical Sync
Selecting Always Off allows Direct 3D® applications to run at their highest possible frame rate. Selecting Default Off allows Direct 3D® applications the ability to enable Wait for Vertical Sync. If an application does not specify, then Wait for Vertical Sync is off. Selecting Default On allows Direct 3D® applications the ability to enable Wait for Vertical Sync. If an application does not specify, then Wait for Vertical Sync is on. Selecting Always On limits the frame rate of Direct 3D® applications to the refresh rate of your display device.
Direct 3D® Compatibility Settings
Direct 3D® Compatibility Settings
Support DXT texture formats
There are a few applications that can only support a limited number of texture formats. By selecting Disabled, the driver will not support DXT texture formats, thus reducing the number of texture formats supported.
Alternate pixel center
May eliminate problems with some Direct 3D® games which display vertical and horizontal lines around textures, or text that appears incorrect. However, this setting should only be used if you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned, as it may cause problems with other games.
