What is the SOLIDWORKS "Use Software OpenGL" setting, and when should it be used? This article will answer those questions.
OpenGL is otherwise known as Open Graphics Library. It is programming code used for rendering vector graphics data. It is used across many platforms and programs. If you are running any type of computer aided design (CAD) software, it probably uses OpenGL to some extent.
Video cards manufactured for CAD are designed to run OpenGL. In other words, the programming code used to render vector graphics is processed in the hardware of the video card. This greatly accelerates the speed at which the graphics can be rendered. The end result is smoother graphics in CAD applications such as SOLIDWORKS.
Software OpenGL
Considering OpenGL code is meant to be processed in video card hardware, what is "software" OpenGL? When referring to software OpenGL, we're referring to where the code is run. Instead of being processed through hardware, it's processed through the computer's central processing unit (CPU).
It can be argued the CPU is still hardware, and that would certainly be true. However, the rendering is accomplished using software to emulate a graphics card. The CPU is not able to render in hardware, because it does not have the required hardware. Instead, it has to use additional code to pretend it is a video card. This drastically impacts graphics performance.
Most (if not all) desktop CPU's contain additional hardware for rendering graphics. This is sometimes referred to as on-chip graphics. This is akin to a video card, but is built into the CPU die. CPU based graphics do not compare to discrete, dedicated video cards when it comes to performance. However, on-chip graphics still count as graphics hardware, and is not used when "Use software OpenGL" is enabled.
Locating The "Use Software OpenGL" Setting
The setting itself is easy enough to find. Click Options at the bottom of the Tools menu, or the gear on the SOLIDWORKS title bar. Please note, in order to gain access to this setting, there must be no documents open in SOLIDWORKS !
Once the SOLIDWORKS Options window is open, click the Performance category. (The main Performance category, not the one under Drawings.)
Should Use Software OpenGL Be Enabled?
Definitely not! Using software OpenGL seriously degrades performance. The setting is only present for troubleshooting purposes. For instance, if you are noticing graphics problems, such as graphical artifacts, black icons, black graphics area, or other anomalies, try turning Use software OpenGL on. If the problems go away, chances are your video card drivers need updating.
Enhanced Graphics Performance
Another setting that is directly related to Use software OpenGL is Enhanced Graphics Performance. This setting was introduced in 2019. It is on by default. Enhanced Graphics Performance (or EGP, for short) leverages advanced functionality in modern graphics cards to assist with dynamic pan and zoom operations.
If you have a newer computer with a modern graphics card, leave EGP on. If you're running into some of those aforementioned graphics anomalies, try unchecking EGP. Restart SOLIDWORKS, and see if the problems go away. If the problems disappear, either leave EGP off, or see if there is a SOLIDWORKS certified graphics driver for your particular video card. If there is, try updating your drivers and turning EGP back on. Hopefully, that will take care of whatever graphics problems you were having.
How These Settings Work Together
EGP requires OpenGL to run in hardware. Therefore, Use software OpenGL cannot be turned on if EGP is enabled. Likewise, if Use software OpenGL is enabled, it is not possible to turn on EGP. It's always one or the other. They can both be turned off, but they can't both be turned on at the same time.
What To Do if Use Software OpenGL is Grayed Out
First of all, make sure no SOLIDWORKS documents are open. Secondly, make sure EGP is turned off (and if you just turned it off, make sure to restart SOLIDWORKS). If both of those conditions are met, and Use software OpenGL is checked but still grayed out, it means your video card does not support running OpenGL in hardware.
Frankly, this is a very undesirable situation. It means that SOLIDWORKS graphics are forced to run through software and the performance will likely be horrible. In this case, a new computer (or at minimum, graphics card) may very well be in order.
Occasionally, running SOLIDWORKS remotely through a virtual private network will force the Use software OpenGL setting to be enabled. This is often dependent on the VPN software or settings. Contact your IT department if you are running into this problem.
Let's Talk Performance
Did you know there is a performance benchmark built into SOLIDWORKS? It is automatically installed with every version, and can be used to compare your computer to others. Look in your Windows program listing under SOLIDWORKS Tools to find the benchmark test.
For this article, the benchmark was run on a Windows 11 computer with the following hardware:
- Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-14700K (3.40 GHz)
- 32.0 GB RAM
- Nvidia RTX 2000 with 16 Gb video RAM
- NVMe Hynix 1 TB drive
The 2025 SOLIDWORKS benchmark was run 3 separate times, with the default settings used first (EDP was turned on).
It's hard to tell if these numbers are good or bad without something to compare them to. Nonetheless, they will suffice as a good starting point for the other 2 tests.
EGP Turned Off
If you've been having some graphics issues and found it necessary to turn off EGP, how badly will it affect SOLIDWORKS performance? Keep in mind lower is better.
As can be seen by the benchmark, RealView and graphics performance suffers a bit, but it's nothing too drastic. It may be best to leave EGP off if it's causing other issues that are more difficult to live with.
Use Software OpenGL Enabled
Finally, let's see what happens when Use software OpenGL is turned on.
The numbers don't lie. Graphics performance suffers greatly. RealView graphics will not even work at all. This illustrates the Use software OpenGL setting should only be used for troubleshooting. Otherwise, it should never be enabled.
Now you know everything you need to know about Use software OpenGL and Enhanced Graphics Performance.
Happy Modeling!