[4.4.6] Critically high GPU usage since 4.4.4

[Vorgon]

Hello, since patch 4.4.4, me and my group all have been struggling with playing on Fantasy Grounds Unity, due to extremely high GPU usage. It wasn't a problem in 4.4.3 and prior versions. So to portray the problem, I've opened the most GPU-heavy map I had on my campaign (lots of custom custom assets, FX layers, mask and so on). Only 26.9% GPU usage on 4.4.3, but 96-100% GPU usage on 4.4.4+. I've attached screenshots from v4.4.3 and v4.4.6 (current release).

What I've discovered, is what easily bumps the usage as crazy: blur of any FX layer. 1/100 is enough to strain the PC.

But even if I turn the blur off, simply opening a static map can sometimes raise the usage from 10% (state with absolutely nothing on the screen) to 70% minimum. Again, this was never happening in previous versions. My players, even those with better PCs, also have reached max GPU usage when an image was displayed.

I tried this guide you recommended to check first: https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/1638006786/Reducing+GPU+Usage Didn't help unfortunately.

Extensions don't cause this issues, checked that; also this happens on both my PC and Laptop. Reinstalling the whole software didn't help either.

My PC specs:
graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
processor: Procesor Intel Core i7-10700F, 2.9 GHz, 16 MB
RAM: 16gb

Personally, I cannot believe there are nearly none similar reports to this one. But while this gives me hope that it's a problem which could be fixed locally, much faster than waiting for a new patch. Regardless of the cause, I await help from anyone who might know what is going on :dead:

[bayne7400]

If you export the image and use it as a single layer and then add your FX, how does that effect CPU usage? I had some issues with a map but I had a ton of separate layers. This helped me.

[Vorgon]

I don't have problems with CPU but GPU. the 4.4.3 screenshot was made on my laptop with a bit weaker processor, thus why it has higher usage. But after updating to 4.4.6, I have 100% GPU on bothmachines.

But doing your steps, liberated 1% of CPU usage, sadly with no graphic card strain change. This 100% must be problems with FX layers though. After I switched all FX layers off, the GPU usage fell down from 97% to 30%. But just as I switched on the FX layer and applied blur to it, it all went back to maximum strain. Something's not right

[Moon Wizard]

I've forwarded to our image developer (@pindercarl). He'll need a copy of your campaign folder zipped up to get an idea of what you are doing that is unique and/or causing the issue.

Regards,
JPG

[Vorgon]

I've forwarded to our image developer (@pindercarl). He'll need a copy of your campaign folder zipped up to get an idea of what you are doing that is unique and/or causing the issue.

Regards,
JPG

Sure thing, what email do you wish for me to send it to ?

[Zacchaeus]

Sure thing, what email do you wish for me to send it to ?

Just attach it to a forum post here; if it is too big for that put it on Dropbox or similar and post a link.

[Vorgon]

I've forwarded to our image developer (@pindercarl). He'll need a copy of your campaign folder zipped up to get an idea of what you are doing that is unique and/or causing the issue.

Regards,
JPG

There: https://mega.nz/file/UtcjGbwb#ezNZa9XuLCLOU_BdQPiXqMYW_D1RZPXxRPFvkZE4i UM

Example images, where high GPU usage is present are:
- "Map - Half-Dimension"
- "Bind of the Cliffs"

Both of them have FX layer with blur, the former has 'water' FX, the latter 'Mist' FX

[Trenloe]

Thanks for providing the campaign files. For "Map - Half-Dimension" it seems to be specifically related to the water FX layer - see the screenshot below, the top is with the layer enabled and the bottom is with the layer disabled. Hopefully this can help the devs identify a root cause.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=59248

[Zacchaeus]

Yeah, I concur with Tranloe. With the water my GPU is running at about 23% without it it's about 11%. For the other map I can see a different if I switch off the entire FX group but it doesn't seem to matter if any of the individual ones are switched off. With that group on it's about 23% without it it's about 8%.

[Moon Wizard]

Thanks for all the information, and confirmations. I sent the additional info to @pindercarl as well.

Regards,
JPG

[SmokeMeowt]

This might not be a true solution, I've developed a sort of work around for this.

I usually will apply FX across the entire map, and then divide it up into quadrants into folders. I'll then copy all the FX layers so far for each section, and then within each new copy, I'll just hide all the FX outside of that quadrant and then activate as needed as the PC's move across the map.

[pindercarl]

This might not be a true solution, I've developed a sort of work around for this.

I usually will apply FX across the entire map, and then divide it up into quadrants into folders. I'll then copy all the FX layers so far for each section, and then within each new copy, I'll just hide all the FX outside of that quadrant and then activate as needed as the PC's move across the map.

FX have a per-pixel cost based on the size of the image window. Currently the largest cost is blurring an FX mask. We're aware of the issue and looking at how we can address it.

[Count Looku]

I ran into this problem last night preparing a map. Took ages to figure out why my GPU was at 100% utilization and came searching. Glad you're already on the case!

[Vorgon]

Version 4.4.7 and still nothing changed.

[pindercarl]

Version 4.4.7 and still nothing changed.

Have you tried the /imagequality chat command? 0 is highest quality. 4 is lowest quality.

[Vorgon]

Have you tried the /imagequality chat command? 0 is highest quality. 4 is lowest quality.

Yes, I have. In v4.4.7 the GPU strain on my end lowered only by 2-3% (93-97%), which is not even close to the performance of v4.4.3 (27% GPU usage). FGU still very noticeably lags, causes crashes not even mentioning being unable to have two maps opened with fx blur on without like 20fps and loud pc. Checked it on my laptop with an even better graphic card. Something is still not right unfortunately. I wish I could play on v4.4.3 :(

[Vorgon]

Version 4.4.9 and the problem is still present it's getting a little ridiculous at this point. On a more positive note, I've noticed increased FPS (~+30 on my end) with FX Blur on. However, the GPU usage stays at the top mark almost all the time FX Blur is on, so no surprises here. Could something be done about it, or at least some official statement be issued ? It's been months now and I feel a lot of people with similar problem have been abandoned, but the new features keep getting released and announced... Personally, our group is tired of this software freezing, lagging and crashing since October. Would be nice to at least be given a proper answer on what's going on.

[pindercarl]

Version 4.4.9 and the problem is still present it's getting a little ridiculous at this point. On a more positive note, I've noticed increased FPS (~+30 on my end) with FX Blur on. However, the GPU usage stays at the top mark almost all the time FX Blur is on, so no surprises here. Could something be done about it, or at least some official statement be issued ? It's been months now and I feel a lot of people with similar problem have been abandoned, but the new features keep getting released and announced... Personally, our group is tired of this software freezing, lagging and crashing since October. Would be nice to at least be given a proper answer on what's going on.

I'm sorry that your group is still experiencing issues with the FX blur. This not something that has been widely reported and we have dedicated resources to addressing this as allowed. We have made efforts, including adding the new /imagequality setting. We've been unable to reproduce this GPU usage using a variety of hardware which presents a challenge to finding an acceptable solution. There are some additional avenues that can be explored after the holidays, but the bandwidth isn't currently available. I am confident that we can find a workable solution.

[Zacchaeus]

One, perhaps obvious thing - but worth mentioning, is whether you have checked to make sure that FGU is using your graphics card rather than the one built into the motherboard. I know this sometimes happened in the past and caused issues with FGC, although I haven't seen this reported in FGU.

[Morenu]

HMMM how would one go about checking that? I kind of assumed if a dedicated gpu was installed then if your CPU has a GPU, it would not be used...

[Trenloe]

HMMM how would one go about checking that?
In Windows there will be a control panel specific to the GPU used - most of them are accessible through right-clicking on the Windows desktop. Then, there should be somewhere to manage what settings are used for specific application - in the NVIDA Control Panel on my PC this is under 3D Settings -> Manage 3D settings.

You can also see what "GPU engine" is being used for a particular process in the Windows Task Manager detailed view -> Processes. You'll see that for most setups a lot of applications won't use the advanced GPU.

[Lo Zeno]

HMMM how would one go about checking that? I kind of assumed if a dedicated gpu was installed then if your CPU has a GPU, it would not be used...

On top of what Trenloe said, if you are on Windows 11 you can also go to the Settings app, then into System > Display > Graphics
From there, you'll see a list of installed apps, if FGU is not on that list then look under "Add an app" and click on the Browse button to locate the FGU executable (not the updater) and add it to the list.

Then from the list, click Fantasy Grounds Unity, then click "Options": you generally have three options there:
1- Let Windows Decide
2- Power Saving (the integrated GPU)
3- High performance (the dedicated GPU)

Select the third option and click Save.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=59551&stc=1&d=1703087887

[Temmpest]

Thanks for this!

[Morenu]

On top of what Trenloe said, if you are on Windows 11 you can also go to the Settings app, then into System > Display > Graphics
From there, you'll see a list of installed apps, if FGU is not on that list then look under "Add an app" and click on the Browse button to locate the FGU executable (not the updater) and add it to the list.

Then from the list, click Fantasy Grounds Unity, then click "Options": you generally have three options there:
1- Let Windows Decide
2- Power Saving (the integrated GPU)
3- High performance (the dedicated GPU)

Select the third option and click Save.


Ah ha, Windows 10 has this too...

1. right click the desktop and select Display Settings.
2. a bit more than 1/2 way down, between Multiple Displays & Sleep Settings, click Graphics Settings (59554)
3. Find "Choose an app to set preference" and set it to Desktop app
4. Browse and find Fantasygrounds.exe and select it.
5. click Options and choose the 3rd option, high performance.

(no Idea if this will help but worth a shot)