Autodesk Civil 3D is powerful design software with advanced visualization features and graphics capabilities. Utilizing some or all of the features could be taxing on a graphics system. Capable hardware, up to date software, and Windows settings tweaks are essential first steps to display optimization and increased performance.
Hardware
System Requirements
Civil 3D has two levels of system requirements.
System requirements for Autodesk Civil 3D
Basic (or minimum) requirements are the minimum baseline specs for running the application. Machines that do not meet the basic specs will note able to utilize all of Civil 3D’s features effectively and will likely have display and performance issues. Practically speaking, for all but the most casual user, a machine must meet or exceed Autodesk’s basic specifications for Civil 3D.
Recommended requirements are the optimal specs to run the application and utilize all of the features. A machine with the recommended specs will provide adequate performance for day-to-day users of Civil 3D. These specs should be considered the true baseline. Keeping in mind that future versions of Civil 3D may have higher requirements, the best practice is to meet or exceed Autodesk’s current recommended system requirements.
Graphics Hardware
Most consumer PCs and notebooks only have a basic GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) integrated into the motherboard. Integrated graphics display cards share system RAM and are usually designed to conserve power over providing performance. While sufficient for light computing and everyday tasks, these types of display cards are not designed for running graphics-intensive applications like Civil 3D.
Many workstation PCs and mid to high end laptops are configured with two graphics systems: an integrated system for basic display tasks and a faster graphics system with discrete GPU and dedicated VRAM for high-performance. These types of display cards are specifically designed for graphics-intensive programs like Civil 3D and are the recommended choice for display optimization.
(Some modern integrated GPUs have made significant gains in performance in recent times and can manage a wider range of tasks, but it is preferred for a machine running Civil 3D to have a discrete GPU with dedicated VRAM.)
Autodesk certifies specific graphics hardware for use with their products. While the certified hardware is not strictly required to use Civil 3D, it should be given higher consideration because the hardware has passed performance tests and is verified to work with AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
AutoCAD Certified graphics hardware
For machines with legacy graphics hardware or machines that do not meet Civil 3D’s basic display card requirements, there are specific Civil 3D settings that may alleviate some shortcomings.
Improving Civil 3D performance with older or low-end graphics cards
How to use a previous DirectX version in AutoCAD Products
Display Monitor(s)
When choosing a display, 1440p (QHD) resolution provides the best balance between performance and visuals. 1080p (FHD) doesn’t provide the sharpest detail and 4K (UHD) makes it difficult for low to mid end GPUs to operate. 4K displays can also be difficult (too small) to view at some scales, depending on the size of the monitor.
Higher refresh rates in Civil 3D are favored for three reasons: smoothness, visual clarity, and input latency. A high refresh rate also contributes to reduced eye strain and a more pleasurable user experience. Monitors with 60Hz-75Hz refresh rates are adequate. Monitors with 120Hz-144Hz (or higher) refresh rates are preferrable.
For variable refresh rate monitors, Civil 3D has a setting to enable optimization.
DX12FRAMERATEUNLIMITED (System Variable)
Display Connections
DisplayPort connections (including USB-C DP Alt Mode or Thunderbolt 3/4) are preferrable over HDMI/DVI/VGA connections. DisplayPort can daisy-chain multiple monitors, support higher resolutions, and offer quicker refresh rates.
- Connect a monitor directly to a machine’s main video out.
- Use a high speed cable for best performance.
- The display out port type of the machine should match the display in port type of the monitor, and avoid using display cable adapters. (For example, native DisplayPort to native DisplayPort would be optimal, DisplayPort with an HDMI adapter to HDMI would be less optimal.)
- Make sure the cable version matches your machine and monitor ports. (For example, don’t use a DisplayPort 1.2 cable with DisplayPort 1.4 ports.)
- Avoid connecting monitors through a USB hub or dock. (Although it can be a convenient way to add extra monitors, hubs and docks usually have graphics systems which are not capable of effectively displaying an application like Civil 3D.)
Software
Display Card Drivers
Often a machine is initially configured with default Windows display drivers. For optimal performance, install the latest display driver available directly from the graphics card manufacturer and stay current with display driver updates.
How to update to the latest certified video driver for Autodesk software
Civil 3D Software Application
Autodesk continually improves Civil 3D, releasing updates and issuing bug fixes on a regular basis. Keeping the software up to date is essential to display optimization and performance. Always keep Civil 3D updated.
Where to download Autodesk products and updates
Windows Operating System
Windows Display Settings
Use the monitor’s native (recommended) resolution for best performance. Align multiple monitor settings to the same resolutions, scales, and refresh rates, when possible, to prevent lag.
Change your screen resolution in Windows
Change the refresh rate on your monitor in Windows
Set the monitor connected directly to the machine’s main video out as Windows’ main display.
- Windows Key + I (Open Settings)
- Settings > System > Display > Multiple Displays
- Select a display
- Check box to “Make this my main display”
For laptops, keep the lid closed or disable the laptop display. In most cases, this will prevent the integrated graphics system from operating and force an external lay to use the faster GPU.
How to use an external monitor with your laptop closed
Windows Display Issues
A machine with a dual graphics system may not allocate resources to the faster GPU at all times, and Civil 3D may operate on the slower integrated graphics system.
Civil 3D uses the wrong graphics card
In other cases, the faster GPU may not be enabled for all applications and Civil 3D must be specifically set to use it.
How to configure Autodesk software to use high-performance graphics
Windows System Settings
The Windows operating system has some default settings that can be changed to increase display performance.
Adjust the power mode to allocate more resources to the hardware.
- Windows Key + I (Open Settings)
- Settings > System > Power & Battery
- Power mode: “Best performance”
Disable some Windows 11 visual effects.
- Windows Key + I (Open Settings)
- Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects
- Turn off Transparency effects
- Turn off Animation effects
For maximum results, disable ALL Windows visual effects.
- Windows Key + S (Open Search)
- Type in the search box: “view advanced system settings”
- On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click the “settings…” button
- On the Visual Effects tab, select “Adjust for best performance”
- Click “Apply”
- Click “OK”
(If the appearance of the Windows UI is not as desired after disabling all visual effects, experiment with turning individual options back on. Having some turned off is better than none.)
Summary
The first steps to obtaining Civil 3D display optimization are hardware and software best practices. Incorporating these practices is essential and will produce immediate returns.
In a future post, we will take a look at how to optimize Civil 3 application (system) settings to minimize display issues and maximize performance.