Prepare the Host System to Use 3D Accelerated Graphics

You must perform certain preparation tasks on the Windows or Linux host system to use 3D accelerated graphics in a virtual machine.

Prerequisites

• On a Windows host, verify that the host has a video card that supports DirectX 9, DirectX 10, or DirectX 10.1 and the latest DirectX Runtime required for the DirectX version being used.
• On a Linux host, verify that the host has a video card that supports accelerated OpenGL 2.0 if you are using DirectX 9, or OpenGL 3.3 if you are using DirectX 10 or DirectX 10.1.

  The VMware guest operating system OpenGL driver for Windows and Linux supports the OpenGL 3.3 core profile only. The OpenGL3.3 compatibility profile is not supported.

Procedure

1. Upgrade the video drivers on the host system to the latest versions.
   ATI Graphics drivers are available from the AMD Web site. NVIDIA drivers are available from the NVIDIA Web site. Intel drivers are available from the Intel Web site.
2. If you have a Windows host system, move the Hardware Acceleration slider to the Full position.

   Option	Description
   Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10	Right-click the desktop and select Personalize > Screen resolution > Advanced Settings > Troubleshoot > Change settings.

3. If you have a Linux host system, run commands to test the host for compatibility.
   1. Verify that direct rendering is enabled.
      glxinfo | grep direct
   2. Verify that 3D applications work.
      glxgears