Hardware: Switchable Graphics AutoCAD resolution error.

This is about the new "Switchable Graphics" systems… more to this below.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Nvidia-Optimus-Review.25467.0.html

This can cause display and/or resolution issues when running AutoCAD, maybe other products are affected too.

Basically, what it does in the background, it automatically switches from the current adapter to another and vice versa, to extend the battery life.

So when starting AutoCAD the following message appears, even though the current resolution setting is higher than the minimum requirements for AutoCAD.

Note there are no certified Autodesk drivers available for this setup.

However, there are some tweaks that can be performed to get around it (depending on the used system).

1. Refer to the vendor's manual for possible settings.
2. Ensure that the currently used adapter has the correct resolution and DPI settings.
3. Make sure that 3D applications are setup to use the GPU rather than the integrated graphic adapter.
    

   In some driver settings you can choose what adapter to be used for which application. See screenshots below.
   

    

However, on some systems you need to perform this settings manually and setup the correct screen to be used and the desired resolution and dpi settings.

This can be performed in the OS display properties. (Settings may very).

In some instances it is recommended to refer to this driver. http://www.geforce.com/Drivers/Results/41702

What worked for us is to match both adapter settings (so GPU and integrated graphics have the same resolution and DPI settings).

This should help to resolve this instance and next time AutoCAD starts the appearance should be fine.

Thanks to Martin Langolf @Autodesk for this post.