Slow Performance - Screen Flickering

Issue: system performance seems slow or the screen flickers.

Windows Settings

Task Details
Clear Show Windows content while dragging.

To access Show Windows content while dragging:

  1. On your Windows desktop, right-click and select Properties.
  2. On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
  3. Clear Show Windows content while dragging.
  4. Click OK.
Minimize or close graphics windows.

Try minimizing or closing all graphics windows except the current window. Some gaming cards may affect performance with multiple windows open. SOLIDWORKS has posted a list of tested graphics adapters.

To view graphics adapter test results:

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/VideoCardTesting.html
Reduce the number of colors or the screen resolution.

This enables you to keep more windows active.

To reduce colors or change screen resolution:

  1. On your desktop, right-click and select Properties.
  2. On the Settings tab:
    1. Drag the slider for Screen resolution towards Less.
    2. Select a lower value for Color quality.
  3. Click OK.

SOLIDWORKS Settings

Task Details
Clear Use Software OpenGL.

To clear Use Software OpenGL:

  1. With no document open:
    1. Click Options (Standard toolbar) or Tools > Options.
    2. On the System Options tab, select Performance.
    3. Clear Use Software OpenGL.
  2. Click OK.
Locate the Journal file on your local hard drive.

Locating the journal file on a network can slow performance. Set the location to your local hard drive.
Reduce the number of colors or the screen resolution.

This enables you to keep more windows active.

To reduce colors or change screen resolution:

  1. On your desktop, right-click and select Properties.
  2. On the Settings tab:
    1. Drag the slider for Screen resolution towards Less.
    2. Select a lower value for Color quality.
  3. Click OK.
Enable Large Assembly Mode.

If you are working on a large assembly, enable Large Assembly Mode. This option includes some display optimization for large assemblies.

To enable Large Assembly Mode:

  • Click Large Assembly Mode (Assembly toolbar) or Tools > Large Assembly Mode.

    Large Assembly Mode appears on the status bar.
Adjust the Level of detail slider in Large Assembly Mode.

To remove detail during changes to view orientation:

  1. Click Options (Standard toolbar) or Tools > Options and in System Options, select Performance.
  2. Drag the Level of detail slider towards Less (faster).

    This increases performance by decreasing detail during changes in view orientation.

  3. Click OK.