Hi all,
is there a chance to turn on viewportshading (>good or best option) in 3ds max ver:
2008 (both x86 and x64)
2009 design (both x86 and x64)

which all runs on:
vista x64 ultimate sp1
nVidia GeForce 9800 gtx
directX 10.1
shader model 4.x
???????

What I found is that all of them runs viewportshading quiet smoothly when changed to directX 9.0c (SM 2.0 and SM 3.0), but when i choose directX 10 (direct3D 10.0) and run diagnose video hardware under the views menu this is what I get:

Welcome to MAXScript.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
////////// Review GPU Feature Support ////////////
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Graphics Vendor Information: Direct3D 10.0 (NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX)
GPU Shader Model Support: SM1.0
Maximum pixel shader instruction count: 0
Viewport Shading Quality: None
Real-time Sun and Sky: Not Supported
Real-time Architectural Material: Not Supported
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////

notice the GPU Shader Model Support!!!

"run diagnose video hardware under the views menu “

Not seeing this option.

Max 2012
Windows 7 64 SP1

here it is…

	Attachment

It’s on the Help Menu on my system, not the Views Menu. On Max2008 it IS on the Views menu.

DX10 is not supported - don’t even bother with it, just use DX9.  System Requirements

3ds Max 2009 software requires the following supplemental software:
* DirectX® 9.0c* (required)

Max 4.2 through 2013.
XP-64 (SP2)
NVidia 9800GTX-512 (Driver 266.58).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 8Gb Ram, DX9.0c.

Thank you Steve, this is the 2008…
I understand now :)

Thank you all

Ok, yeah, under the Help header in 2009.
Looks pretty much like the extent of DirectX 10 support for Max so far,
9 is better for now.

Don

Max 2012
Windows 7 64 SP1

Where does one download DirectX 9.0c? Or how do I know if I have it?

Open a Command Prompt and type “dxdiag” (without the quites) at the prompt. That will tell you lots of stuff about your DirectX.
The installer should be on your DVD - look for a “Support” or “Redist” directory (depending on max version).

Max 4.2 through 2013.
XP-64 (SP2)
NVidia 9800GTX-512 (Driver 266.58).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 8Gb Ram, DX9.0c.

Wow .. I am new to Vista as well ... heee. Nifty stuff. MMmmmmm ... the closest I get is DDI Version: 9Ex. Not sure if this is what I am supposed to look for?

It does say that the direct x version is 10 ... eEEEEeeek. I take it that this is ok? Imean that comes with Vista.

Welcome to MAXScript.

I thought this might help....

Menu Title:
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
////////// Review GPU Feature Support ////////////
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Graphics Vendor Information: Direct3D 9.0 (NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600)
GPU Shader Model Support: SM3.0
Maximum pixel shader instruction count: 4096
Viewport Shading Quality: Best
Real-time Sun and Sky: Supported
Real-time Architectural Material: Supported
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////