Graphic Settings

Active Worlds supports three different modes for rendering 3D graphics: Direct3D, OpenGL, and Software Rendering mode. Which mode is appropriate for you depends on the configuration of the PC you are using to run Active Worlds. You can change the video mode you are using by going to the Options menu, selecting Settings..., and then clicking on the Video tab and selection from the choices presented:

Graphics Mode

Direct3D

Direct3D mode requires a Direct3D-compatible hardware accelerated video card, DirectX 7.0 or later. If you do not have DirectX 7.0 or later, you must download and install the latest version of DirectX from Microsoft before you can run Active Worlds in Direct3D accelerated mode. Also be sure to update your drivers before running in Direct3D mode, if they are not already up to date.

This is the recommended mode for most users.

Hardware T&L Support

Direct3D mode with Hardware Transform & Lighting Support requires a Direct3D-compatible hardware accelerated video card, DirectX 8.1 or later. Active Worlds has been designed to be able to take advantage of some of the more advanced features of some graphics cards while this option is enabled, even if the card does not actually have hardware transform & lighting support built in. Direct3D with T&L support turned on is usually faster than if you clear this checkbox, but may not work as well (or at all) on some older video cards.

OpenGL

OpenGL mode requires an OpenGL-compatible hardware accelerated video card. While OpenGL mode does not require DirectX, it does require that the drivers for your video card support OpenGL. Check with your video card manufacturer to determine whether or not your video card supports OpenGL.

Software Mode

Although it is usually the slowest of the three modes, software mode requires no special video hardware or drivers and is thus the most likely to work well on all systems. It is the default video mode if no other mode has been selected.

Advanced Options

• Wireframe rendering: This sets Active Worlds to render in wireframe mode. W
• Vertical Sync

• Mip LOD Bias: The so Mipmapping Level of Detail BIAS (LOD BIAS) controls at which distance from the viewer the switch to lower resolution mip maps takes place. The standard value of the LOD BIAS is 0.0. If you lower the LOD BIAS below zero, the mip map levels are moved farther away, resulting in seemingly sharper textures. But if the scene is moving, the textures start to shimmer. Because of this, it's not a good idea to use a lower LOD BIAS to improve the sharpness of the image. It's better to use an Anisotropic Filter instead. The default value for the LOD BIAS is 0.0 (zero) and it should be left at its default value in almost all cases.

• Antialiasing Method: This determines the method of Antialiasing that Active Worlds uses. Antialiasing is a technique used to add greater realism to a digital image by smoothing jagged edges on curved lines and diagonals. Note: This is not available on all graphic cards.

• Anisotropic Filter Level: Anisotropic Filtering (AF) which significantly improves texture quality at oblique angles. The higher the setting, the more realism can be achieved. However, this comes with a price in terms of usability. Choose the setting that best reflects your hardware. If you notice areas beginning to lag, try reducing this filter.

• Ambiant Occlusion: Ambient occlusion is a method to approximate how bright light should be shining on any specific part of a surface, based on the light and it's environment. This is used to add realism. Turn this on for added realism to the scene. Note: This is not available on all graphic cards.