Surface book Pro 2 screen resolution problems in AutoCAD Architecture 2016

[jeremiah]

out of scale textHey there,

I recently bought a surface book 2 w/ the 15" screen thinking that this would be the best all around machine for my drafting and design company(sketching, portability, system components). I'm running windows 10 Pro. I loaded my AutoCAD Architecture 2016(downloaded from site) and noticed a couple glitches. (see pic) The text in the palletes on the right are not in scale.  Also, when I try and customize my ribbons and menu bar by right clicking in that area the selections seem to disappear when I put my cursor over them.  After calling Autodesk, the lady informed me to do a clean uninstall and reinstall.  So I did, and downloaded the service pack 1 that is recommended.  I've read there are some issues with the DPI settings and not sure if this may be the problem.  

These are the current settings for my program with DPI override. 

Currently not sure if buying this expensive computer was worth it since I've spent more hours reconfiguring than drawing.  Not sure if this can be fixed or if it's something so new that AutoCAD hasn't released a service pack. Any help would be appreciated.  

Thank you,

Jeremiah

@jeremiah for clarity Kevin.Palmer edited the original subject: Surface book Pro 2 problems with AutoCAD Architecture 2016

[gotphish001 · Accepted solution]

Is it a 4k screen? Autocad didn't support 4k screens until a patch in the 2017 version and then in the out of box 2018+ versions. I think the only fix is to run the screen at a lesser resolution.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Odd-gr...

[jeremiah]

Yes it's a 4K screen but I was thinking that there has to be some type of service pack to keep up with technology changes.

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@gotphish001 wrote:

Is it a 4k screen? Autocad didn't support 4k screens until a patch in the 2017 version and then in the out of box 2018+ versions. I think the only fix is to run the screen at a lesser resolution.

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[gotphish001]

There was in 2017 version. Unfortunately before that no and there won't be one ever coming for older versions. Autodesk seems to have a policy of not fixing problems that come up in old software caused by new tech. An example is 2015 and back don't work well on windows 10 and eventually fail at some point. They will never fix that either. It seems they would rather people just get the newest version. It sucks but I don't think there will be a patch coming for your issue.

It's not just autodesk that does this. Most companies do it this way. If you have a printer from 2002 and try to get a driver for it for windows 10 then you probably aren't going to find one on the manufacturers website. You might find a universal driver that works but you will probably lose some functionality. The same goes the other way. If you buy a brand new printer and go on the manufacturers website you aren't going to find a driver for windows 2000. It's the nature of tech because it moves so fast. Different companies have different standards for how far back they fix stuff. Autodesks is pretty short.

Edit: Sorry I didn't mean for all that to sound harsh. I tried to make, "You are out of luck and a patch isn't coming." come out as nicely as I could. 😃

[pendean]

Read this link for what you can do in 2016 and older https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Odd-gr...

[jeremiah]

Thanks Pendean but I have windows 10 pro and it's a little different.  I've seen article before I started this post and still had issues.  Here's a pic of my property settings on compatibility tab.

I changed the resolution display to 1920X1200 and it seems to be the best for fixing this autocad text problem.  However it doesn't cover all of my screen.  

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@pendean wrote:
Read this link for what you can do in 2016 and older https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Odd-gr...

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[pendean]

I don't know what ".. it doesn't cover all of my screen..." means, we dumped 2016 versions some time back so I no longer have it to test on our Surface Pros here.

FWIW as far as Autodesk is concerned you need to be using 2017 with its last update (or 2018 and newer) if you want displays to be flawless on your MSSurface device: Autodesk is never going to do much else with 2016 today and moving forward sadly.

[Kevin.Palmer]

Hi @jeremiah,

I wanted to echo what @gotphish001 and @pendean have already stated; AutoCAD 2016 did not support 4K screens. Support began in AutoCAD 2017 and has been steadily improving since.

The best work-arounds have already been mentioned: dropping DPI scaling and screen resolution. For example, I change my monitor resolution to 150% when I use AutoCAD 2016. It might be different for a Surface Pro, so I recommend playing around with the resolution and DPI to figure out what works best for you. 

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

[jeremiah]

@Kevin.Palmer wrote:

Hi @jeremiah,

I wanted to echo what @gotphish001 and @pendean have already stated; AutoCAD 2016 did not support 4K screens. Support began in AutoCAD 2017 and has been steadily improving since.

The best work-arounds have already been mentioned: dropping DPI scaling and screen resolution. For example, I change my monitor resolution to 150% when I use AutoCAD 2016. It might be different for a Surface Pro, so I recommend playing around with the resolution and DPI to figure out what works best for you. 

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Thanks Kevin,

All the post have been helpful.  Right now I have my resolution at 1920x1200 w/ a custom scale of 124.  Is this what you have yours set at? I can also do 1140x900 with a scale at 100%.  This seems to make everything look a lot better.  However, there's about a 1/2" not filling the top and bottom of my actual screen due to the resolution sizing.  I can live with this but seems aggrevating as I have just bought this computer and spent a lot of money.  I have the surface book 2 with the 15" screen.  Any idea if this machine was built to handle AutoCAD.  I have about 7 days left on my "return for full refund" and I wanted to make sure I made the right decision.  I just wanted a computer with enough power, portability, and ability for hand drawing.  This seems to have met the mark when I purchased but now not sure as I have a smaller screen in order to make this program work.  It also mentioned my graphics card is not one that is recommended.  However, Best Buy said it was plenty.  I have the 8th generation i7 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060.   Any help is greatly appreciated.  I just don't want to make the same mistake I did last time and by something that is under par.

Thanks,

Jeremiah

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[pendean]

Surface Book 2: came out a month ago, it has always been 4k dislay and is designed to only be perfect in a 4k display setting. It and the earlier versions from the last couple of years are more that competent to handle AutoCAD ARCH for most non-power users.

AutoCAD ARCHITECTURE 2016: came out three years ago, was never designed for 4k displays. This is your actual problem: Autodesk's workarounds for 2016 is just that, a workaround. Workarounds are not solutions. Autodesk's solution is for you to upgrade and use AutoCAD ARCHITECTURE 2017 or 2018 or 2019.

With the benefit of hindsight, you probably should have completed a more thorough research with actual AutoCAD/ARCH users before your pricey purchase of a device that is meant to be a 4k display all the time. 

Microsoft's support site might be able to offer some additional tips, just beware they may also advise that AutoCADARCH2016 is not suited for 4k displays https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/products/surface-devices

[gotphish001 · Accepted solution]

That hardware seems good. Just because a graphic card isn't listed on the site doesn't mean it won't work good. Autodesk just tests some of them. I have a laptop with a gtx970 in it and it runs autocad totally fine. Probably better than my workstation at work.  I'd just load up your biggest files and try them out on it. If they work smooth then it's obviously powerful enough. Like you said you have a few days before you need to return it if you decide that. You have a week to try/test it out with big files. If you can't get it to slow down or lag to where you aren't satisfied then it should be good to go. Just need to decide you if can live with the screen size.

As for the screen size. I'm not sure I'd want to do much cad work on a 15" screen in general not to mention you are losing a little of that, so I get why that would suck. I'm not sure how often you need portable, but if it's not most of the time maybe just buy a 22" or something 1920x1080 monitor to use with the surface. It would solve your 4k problem. They are cheap like 150 for a name brand one which isn't much compared to what the surface costs. Consider it an upgrade.  Go on newegg or tigerdirect, it will be much cheaper than best buy probably. I've bought a few open box or refurbished monitors off those sites and never had an issue. Plus they were way cheaper. Then on the occasion you need portable you just have to live with the smaller screen. Plus you could dock some pallets on the laptop screen and use the bigger screen to draw which makes drawing better IMO. You can permanently have things like properties pallet open . My only thing I'm not positive about is how much trouble it will give you if the laptop and monitor aren't set to the same resolution if 1920x1080 isn't an option on the surface. Just some suggestions as we don't know exactly what you will be doing cad wise or other software wise on the surface or what your exact portability needs are.

[jeremiah]

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@pendean wrote:

Surface Book 2: came out a month ago, it has always been 4k dislay and is designed to only be perfect in a 4k display setting. It and the earlier versions from the last couple of years are more that competent to handle AutoCAD ARCH for most non-power users.

AutoCAD ARCHITECTURE 2016: came out three years ago, was never designed for 4k displays. This is your actual problem: Autodesk's workarounds for 2016 is just that, a workaround. Workarounds are not solutions. Autodesk's solution is for you to upgrade and use AutoCAD ARCHITECTURE 2017 or 2018 or 2019.

With the benefit of hindsight, you probably should have completed a more thorough research with actual AutoCAD/ARCH users before your pricey purchase of a device that is meant to be a 4k display all the time. 

Microsoft's support site might be able to offer some additional tips, just beware they may also advise that AutoCADARCH2016 is not suited for 4k displays https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/products/surface-devices

Thanks Pendean,

Before I purchased the computer I made sure I had all the software requirements down but didn't expect the screen to be an issue.  My fault.  Thank you for all the help from everyone.  Since I can still return for full refund, do you recommend a particular computer that has the power, portability, and hand sketching i.l.o. the surface pro 2?  I'd like not to have to purchase a computer and upgrade my autocad all in the same year.  $$$.  Thanks

[pendean]

Find one with similar or better specs to your MSSurface but wtihout a 4k display, 1920x1080 or in that area is good enough since you seem to be stuck with ACA2016 and don't ever plan on upgrading.

Look for ones labelled "portable workstation" from vendors like HP, Dell and Lenovo that cost just as much as your MSSurface.

[jeremiah]

Ok, set up the laptop last night and did a little messing around and no lagging whats so ever.  Program runs great on the Surface Pro 2. I'm going to do some extensive work this weekend and I'll post otherwise.  As for the screen, yes I'm setting up 2 additional monitors to work as a desktop for most of the time.  The laptop was needed for portability to job sites and out of town work.  Set up the Surface Pro to a spare 22" monitor and there was no problem.  Windows allows you to setup resolution on each screen.  Other than that I'm completely happy even if I don't get to enjoy the 4K at this moment(until I upgrade in the near future).  Thank you to everyone who commented and helped out on the issue.  

[jeremiah]

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@gotphish001 wrote:

That hardware seems good. Just because a graphic card isn't listed on the site doesn't mean it won't work good. Autodesk just tests some of them. I have a laptop with a gtx970 in it and it runs autocad totally fine. Probably better than my workstation at work.  I'd just load up your biggest files and try them out on it. If they work smooth then it's obviously powerful enough. Like you said you have a few days before you need to return it if you decide that. You have a week to try/test it out with big files. If you can't get it to slow down or lag to where you aren't satisfied then it should be good to go. Just need to decide you if can live with the screen size.

As for the screen size. I'm not sure I'd want to do much cad work on a 15" screen in general not to mention you are losing a little of that, so I get why that would suck. I'm not sure how often you need portable, but if it's not most of the time maybe just buy a 22" or something 1920x1080 monitor to use with the surface. It would solve your 4k problem. They are cheap like 150 for a name brand one which isn't much compared to what the surface costs. Consider it an upgrade.  Go on newegg or tigerdirect, it will be much cheaper than best buy probably. I've bought a few open box or refurbished monitors off those sites and never had an issue. Plus they were way cheaper. Then on the occasion you need portable you just have to live with the smaller screen. Plus you could dock some pallets on the laptop screen and use the bigger screen to draw which makes drawing better IMO. You can permanently have things like properties pallet open . My only thing I'm not positive about is how much trouble it will give you if the laptop and monitor aren't set to the same resolution if 1920x1080 isn't an option on the surface. Just some suggestions as we don't know exactly what you will be doing cad wise or other software wise on the surface or what your exact portability needs are.

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So this weekend I continued to do more work and got into some drawings with some large hatches.  The problem I am seeing is that there is still a lag when selecting blocks, hatches or even multi-line text.  I'll select something and hit escape.  It then takes a second for it to register that I no longer want that object selected.  The program seemed to be fine when I opened the smaller CAD files but since opening larger ones it's a little laggy.  I checked my dedicated graphics card and it seems to be set correctly.  (see pic) Is there something I am missing to make this high dollar machine work fast with AutoCAD Architecture?  I am not sure if this has anything to do with the fact that I am working off a 4K display when AutocCAD Architecture 2016 doesn't support such resolution.  Not sure how this would be an issue.

I've got 1 day left on warranty to return.  

So am I wrong for thinking this program shouldn't have any lagging even if it is a large file with a lot of hatches?  I am a pretty fast draftsman and I am sure most draftsman work the same.  Any help would be great.

 

[pendean]

Define "larger ones" for those of us without access to your files.

BTW, video card has nothing to do with file access speed.

[jeremiah]

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@pendean wrote:
Define "larger ones" for those of us without access to your files.

BTW, video card has nothing to do with file access speed.

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I work a lot in model and paper space. So, large would be 6-7 floorplans with 20-30 different 2d elevations in model space. Hatching on every elevation to show exterior material. As well as solid hatching in floorplan walls. With 25 tabs with viewports for viewing the model space. That would be 1 file(dwg)

So you’re saying my card is not the problem?  I also turned off graphics acceleration and that did nothing. 

Whats the problem? Is it my processor? I’m really confused. Thank you for the reply. 

[pendean]

Your MSSurface is not a mobile workstation: its not designed to be used as a production PC with high speed performance etc., I know, we have 5 of those POSs around here now assigned to light-duties designers (not production) and for offsite use at clients locations or field work (since AutoCADMobile is useless with ACA content on iPADs).

They make great Powerpoint tools.

[jeremiah]

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@pendean wrote:
Your MSSurface is not a mobile workstation: its not designed to be used as a production PC with high speed performance etc., I know, we have 5 of those POSs around here now assigned to light-duties designers (not production) and for offsite use at clients locations or field work (since AutoCADMobile is useless with ACA content on iPADs).

They make great Powerpoint tools.

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Thanks @pendean, this helps a lot.  I'm headed to the store now to return.  I'm just confused because it has all the specs that AutoCAD recommends.  Ram, processor, hard drive, graphics card etc.   What does it lack so I can reference in my next search? BTW, I am thinking I'll just have one custom built by Dell or whatever Autodesk recommends.

any suggestions would be great!

thanks again,

Jeremiah

[pendean]

This site has some good specs for you to go by https://picknotebook.com/blog/the-best-laptop-for-autocad/

But if you need production performance, you need a desktop Workstation PC, about the only laptops to get closer are not slim, and not lightweight, are not sexy, and may not have touch-screens https://www.google.com/search?&q=mobile+workstationnd https://www.boxx.com/solutions/architecture-engineering-construction