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Graphics Card Drivers and Settings

Set Up Your Graphics Card for VStitcher

VStitcher relies on your graphics card for 3D rendering, so it's important to confirm two things when you first set up your machine: that your GPU driver is up to date, and that your system is set to use your dedicated (high-performance) graphics card rather than a lower-power integrated one. This article walks through both.

Part 1: Update Your GPU Driver

Pick whichever method is easiest for you. Option C (manufacturer's website) is recommended — it gives you the newest driver directly from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.

Option A: Windows Update

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.

  3. Click Check for updates.

  4. If a driver update appears, install it like any other update.

Option B: Device Manager

  1. Search for Device Manager in the Windows search bar and open it.

  2. Expand Display adapters.

  3. Right-click your graphics card (e.g., "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080" or "AMD Radeon RX 6800").

  4. Select Update driver.

  5. Choose one:

    • Search automatically for drivers — Windows finds the latest driver online.

    • Browse my computer for driver software — pick a driver file you already downloaded.

Option C: Manufacturer's Website (Recommended)

  1. Go to your GPU manufacturer's site: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.

  2. Find the Drivers & Downloads (or Support) section.

  3. Select your exact GPU model.

  4. Download the latest driver for your version of Windows.

  5. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps.

Part 2: Set VStitcher to Use the Dedicated GPU

Laptops and some desktops have two graphics processors: an integrated one (power-saving) and a dedicated one (high-performance). VStitcher runs best on the dedicated GPU, so you need to tell your system to prioritize it — both at the graphics-driver level and at the Windows level.

If You Have an NVIDIA GPU

  1. Right-click the desktop, search the Start menu for "Nvidia," and open NVIDIA Control Panel.

  2. gcd_1.png

  3. In the left panel, go to 3D Settings > Manage 3D settings.

  4. Click the Program Settings tab.

  5. gcd_2.png

  6. If VStitcher isn't listed, click Add and browse to the VStitcher .exe file (usually in the VStitcher installation folder).

  7. gcd_3.png

  8. With VStitcher selected in the "program to customize" dropdown, set "Select the preferred graphics processor for this program" to High-performance NVIDIA processor.

  9. gcd_4.png

  10. Set Power management mode to Prefer maximum performance.

  11. Click Apply.

  12. Close and reopen VStitcher for the change to take effect.

If You Have an AMD GPU

  1. Right-click the desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings.

  2. gcd_5.png

  3. In the left menu, click Gaming > Global Settings.

  4. image-20241230-073432.png

  5. Under Preferred graphics processor, select High Performance.

  6. gcd_6.png

Also Set the Windows-Level Preference

Even after setting the driver preference above, Windows has its own setting that should point to the dedicated GPU too:

  1. Open graphics settings either way:

    • Search "Graphics settings" in the Windows search bar, or

    • Open Settings (Windows key + I) > System > Display > Graphics settings.

    • gcd_7.png

  2. Click Browse, locate the VStitcher .exe file, and click Add.

  3. gcd_8.png

  4. Find VStitcher in the list and click Options.

  5. gcd_9.png

  6. Select High performance (this uses the dedicated GPU, recommended for demanding tasks like 3D design).

  7. gcd_10.png

  8. Click Save.

If You're on a Laptop: Check Your Power Mode

Laptops often switch to the integrated GPU automatically to save battery, which can override the preferences you just set above. Set your power plan to High Performance or Balanced (not Power Saving):

  • Control Panel > Power Options, or

  • Settings > System > Power & Sleep > choose a High Performance or Balanced plan.

If You're on a Desktop: Check Your BIOS

On some desktops with both an integrated and a dedicated GPU, the integrated graphics may be set as the primary display adapter at the BIOS level — this overrides every setting above. If your desktop has both types of GPU, enter your BIOS and confirm the dedicated GPU is set as the primary display adapter. Steps vary by motherboard, so check your motherboard manual or manufacturer's website for exact instructions.

Restart VStitcher

Whenever you change a power setting, GPU setting, or driver, close and reopen VStitcher afterward so it can detect the change.

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