System Requirements

Hardware

Let SPACE GASS run to its full potential with the right hardware configuration.

Hardware Requirements

Windows 10 or 11 64-bit

Intel or AMD processor (Intel multi-core preferred)

Any modern graphics card with at least 2GB RAM (NVIDIA GeForce preferred)

SPACE GASS optimized to use your hardware correctly

Apple Mac

We're sorry that there is no specific Apple Mac version of SPACE GASS. A Windows emulator such as Parallels Desktop or a Virtual Windows environment are not supported.

Optimize for OpenGL Shader Mode

To get the most out of SPACE GASS, it needs to be running in OpenGL shader mode. The difference between shader mode and software emulation mode is DRAMATIC!

Benefits of OpenGL Shader Mode

Fast, smooth graphics with modern graphics cards

Fully rendered deflections (not just wireframe)

Shaded and transparent loading diagrams

Moment, shear, axial, torsion and stress diagrams

Silky smooth and responsive user interface

Optimization Steps

The following instructions are for SPACE GASS 12.50 and later. Each step is very important!

Identify Your Graphics Cards

Run SPACE GASS 12.50.436 or later, go to "Help → About SPACE GASS..." and look at the graphics cards listed under "Available Cards". If you can't run SPACE GASS, run MSInfo32.exe from your Windows Start menu, expand "Components" and click on "Display".

Set High Performance Graphics Card

If you have multiple graphics cards (common in laptops), ensure SPACE GASS uses the high performance card. Right-click on your desktop, select "Display settings", scroll to "Graphics settings", browse to sgwin.exe in your SPACE GASS folder, click "Options" and select "High performance".

Update Graphics Driver

Update your graphics driver from the manufacturer's website (not Windows Update). Check your driver version in SPACE GASS under "Help → About SPACE GASS...". Common manufacturer links: NVIDIA, AMD, ATI, HP, and Intel.

Enable OpenGL Shader Mode

Run SPACE GASS, go to "Settings → General Preferences" and ensure "Disable OpenGL shaders" is unticked. If ticked, SPACE GASS will run in slow software emulation mode.

Verify Configuration

Restart SPACE GASS and check "Help → About SPACE GASS..." to verify the correct graphics card is being used and "Shading Enabled" says "Yes".

With Shader Mode

Fully shaded and rendered diagrams with smooth, responsive graphics

Recommended

Without Shader Mode

Basic wireframe outlines with slower, less responsive interface

Not Recommended

Need Assistance?

If you need help optimizing SPACE GASS for your hardware, email us and attach an image of your "Help → About SPACE GASS..." display.

View Specifications