Most of modern computers have two video cards nowadays. First one is integrated to CPU or motherboard one and another one is dedicated for demanding applications such as games. Carlson software could be run on integrated video cards but performance would be low and some glitches could arise. So we strictly recommend to run Carlson application on dedicated video cards (see our recommendations on exact video cards to use).
If you do not see some menus described in this guide it could be because you do not have proper drivers installed. Drivers for NVidia video cards could be downloaded here. Drivers for AMD / ATI cards could be downloaded here.

Integrated Cards
If you have only integrated card you still can improve it's performance:
1. Right click on your desktop and select Graphics Properties. This will open the Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel. Click on Advanced Mode and OK.


2. In the next window, click on the 3D tab and set your 3D preference to Performance. [Note: If, at the end of this process, Serato Video still doesn't run, also de-select 'Application Optimal Mode']. Click Apply.

3. Now select the Power tab and set the Power Plans to Maximum Performance. If you sometimes perform with your laptop only running on battery, then select battery in the top right corner and also set it for Maximum Performance. Click Apply.


To ensure you are running on dedicated video card please follow these steps.
Nvidia Cards
For NVidia video card (for AMD / ATI card see below):
Automatic Method:
* Download attached nvswitch.exe
* Run nvswitch.exe and select icad.exe from the product you are looking to configure
* Click on "High-Performance Processor with Recommended Settings"
Manual Method:
1. For NVIDIA cards, click on Adjust Image Settings with Preview, select Use my preference emphasizing: Performance and click Apply.

2. Click on Manage 3D Settings and open the drop down menu for Global Settings. Select the High-performance NVIDIA processor as your preferred graphics processor and click Apply.

3. Open the drop down menu for Program Settings and click Add. Search for the Carlson application (path may differ for because of different versions and flavors, for Carlson IntelliCAD 2018 x64 it is C:/Program Files/Carlson2018_ICAD8) and double click to select it. Open the drop down menu in step 2. and select the High-performance NVIDIA processor as the preferred graphics processor for this program and click Apply. Do the same for all installed Carlson software you have.

4. Click on Set PhysX configuration, open the drop down menu and select your NVIDIA card (the name is dependent on your exact card) as the PhysX processor. Click Apply and you are done.

5. You may also apply additional changes recommended by NVidia for IntelliCAD software. See #2.2 at this article.
6. Re-start your computer.

AMD/ATI Cards
For AMD / ATI card:
NOTE: There is a huge variation in versions of the ATI/AMD Radeon Catalyst Control Center for adjusting the settings for these cards so the following should be seen more as indicative than actual. Even if your Control Center looks different to these images, the principles are the same and you should be able to find similar options to those described here.
1. For ATI/AMD Radeon cards, go to Graphics > PowerPlay - Set Plugged In and Battery to Maximum Performance. Click Apply.

2. If applicable to your graphics card, go to Graphics > 3D and move the slider across to Performance so it is set for Optimal Performance. Click Apply. NOTE: This function might not be available on all ATI models.

3. If your Catalyst Control Center has the Switchable Graphics tab go there and browse to locate icad.exe and set it for High Performance. Click Apply. If there is no icad.exe in the list you may add it by clicking "Add Application..." button and navigating to icad.exe in installation folder (path may differ for because of different versions and flavors, for Carlson IntelliCAD 2018 x64 it is C:/Program Files/Carlson2018_ICAD8) and double click to select it.

4. Re-start your computer.

Thanks to guys from Serato for this guide.