Multiple 3ds Max instances open + Saving = Lag

[DGTLTWNS]

Hi,

I have a few reports of people with 3ds Max 2020, 2022, 2023 (haven't tested 2021) slowing down our workstations, when multiple instances of 3ds Max are open and (auto)saving.

I have recorded a video of this here: https://youtu.be/zzsiOCMhHr8

First part of the video is me saving with only one instance open. Second part (00:18) is with a second file open in another instance. As you can see my workstation grinds to a halt and my cursor is barely moving. It seems I'm not the only one. This started happening a couple of months ago. Maybe a Windows update caused this or something. I looked at my Windows 10 update history in the last half year and most of them are .NET updates.

Can people with the same experience confirm, and could Autodesk investigate this please, because this is super annoying.

Thank you.

[info2V35E]

No I don't have two workstations, but my motherboard is an asus rog strix x570-e gaming. I'm certain I entered that in correctly in the survey

[DGTLTWNS]

Ah then then you're not the person just filling in x570 and nothing more.

[ArcHouse43]

Hello All,

Update from my last post on Monday (5th June) and hopefully good news for all of us (fingers crossed!).

I updated my OS to the new Windows 11 after posting and I have not experienced the lag issue as of yet. This is after two days of working as usual, performance seems to have improved. This is the first time I have not experienced this issue since the latter half of last year. Granted it has only been 2 days so I will update again on Friday afternoon to confirm whether the issue has returned or not. 

Has anyone else updated to the latest Windows 11? If so, what are your experiences?

[DGTLTWNS]

Did you update or fresh install? There are windows 11 users with the same issues though, that's why I didn't bother upgrading yet. Plus a multitude of other reasons (UI/UX-wise)

[ArcHouse43]

I did the update that was offered from Windows at start up.

To be specific I am running Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.1702).  Perhaps it would be useful to know what version/build they have installed?

The OS update is the only change I have made since Monday.

[RobH2]

I have had Windows 11 Pro 22H2 (22621.1778) throughout this whole thread. I installed W11 as an Update, not a fresh install and have had absolutely no problems or regrets systemwide in nearly a year now.

I still do have one issue that might be related but maybe not. I don't have the massive lags, but I do have awful performance with a V-Ray Progressive IPR window running while I try to work in a viewport even on a small model. I somehow feel like my issue and the lag are related and is why I filled out the questionaire and am following this thread so closely. Chaos Group just keeps saying they can't replicate it and have no suggestions. 

[DGTLTWNS]

This might be a stupid suggestion but do you have Fit resolution to VFB enabled in IPR and using a 4K screen?

[RobH2]

@DGTLTWNS  Hey, there are no stupid questions in this search for solutions for sure. I do use 4K monitors but I'm unfamiliar with the "Fit..." setting. Where is that? I don't see it as I poke around. 

[DGTLTWNS]

It's in Render settings > V-Ray > IPR options > Fit resolution to VFB, basically it will render at the size of your VFB, if this VFB is fullscreen on a 4K screen, then you're rendering at nearly 4K resolution while in IPR, and this is quite slow. I sometimes forget to turn it off that's why I thought this might be something you haven't considered.

[RobH2]

@DGTLTWNS  Uh, duh, I just saw it under 'Start IPR.' It's funny how we get used to seeing things and then ignoring what's right in front of us. I've never played with that. Yes, it is checked. I'll turn it off and try. It's been checked always for 20-years for all I know...lol...  What I have always done is to just make the Buffer window smaller and smaller thinking that was taking load off of the render task. I'll try things with this 'unticked' and will report back. Thanks for bringing it up. 

But, I will say, knowing that this has "always" been ticked on for me, my whole life, the V-Ray IPR is much, much more laggy than it was just a couple of years ago. Something is still going on. I used to be smooth as glass and I could view an IPR Progressive render in the buffer and work on a 500K model with ease and joy. Now it's just painful. Slate doesn't react well and everything just lags so badly. And I have a fast machine. But, this is my first Ryzen 9 machine. So, even as this switch might help me, I think the IPR lag is somehow tied to the AMD lags you guys are seeing, which, I don't have. The only lag I have is IPR. 

[DGTLTWNS]

Well it's worth the shot. It has been introduced couple of updates later than when IPR got introduced. Making the VFB smaller will also make the render resolution smaller if that option is ticked. So might not have been your issue why it's slow. With it off, it will take whatever is setup in your render settings as resolution.

[RobH2]

@DGTLTWNS Ok, so going to Chaos and reading about 'Fit resolution to VFB' I see that I'm doing it the more efficient way for effeciency. With it 'ticked' and then I make the VFB window smaller by dragging its corners down, I am reducing the render load. If I 'untick' it, then regardless fof the VFB window size, it renders what I have in the Common Options for 'Output Size.'  Therefore, the lag I'm seeing is still a "thing" and not a bad setting, if I'm interpreting things properly now. 

So, my question persists and maybe I'm the only one who has this issue, but IPR is just way more laggy than it use to be. To be honest, I haven't heard anyone else say, "yes, me too" on this. So maybe I have a local issue causing it. 

[RobH2]

So I know I'm going off topic here, sorry everyone, but I think the best way to handle it is to set the 'Output Size' so something reasonable, like 2K. Then, regardless if the switch is ticked or unticked, I'm limiting the buffer so that I'm not accidentally rendering at 4K. I just have to go back and reset the Output Size when I go to do a final render. This workflow might help ease my pain with IPR right now.

[ArcHouse43]

Update; I have yet to experience any more lags since I did the Windows 11 update last Monday. On the odd occasion of saving, opening and closing the system can go unresponsiveness momentarily to mouse clicks but no mouse or system lag. Is that the same problem or a new problem, who knows???

[DGTLTWNS]

So basically the same thing, but with no lag of the mouse. That's an improvement....

Does this happen with more than one Max open?

[Diffus3d]

There's a lot of interesting data here.  It does kind of seem like multiple issues which have similar appearances.  

Best Regards,

[gandhics]

Oh.. just saw this. Interesting.

I only use GigaByte board and never had this issue.

[Diffus3d]

I just had a random thought...

For those with the problem, did you install the drivers from your motherboard CD-ROM or did you let windows install defaults?   I wonder if it's a simple driver issue.  

Best Regards,

[RobH2]

@gandhics 

I use a Gigabyte board as well and never had it. 

[ArcHouse43]

It seemed to be triggered by the same actions although fortunately it hasn't happened at all in the last few days.

And yeah it happened when multiple instances were opened but then I always have multiple instances open anyway.