If you have just installed Fire Studio 7 and it will not start (it may flash a white screen), these are some of the common issues that may solve/identify the issue:
Graphics Card Drivers
One of the most common issues (and easiest to Fix) is outdated graphics drivers. Often, you can go to your video card manufacture's site and install the newest drivers. Many times, this will allow Fire Studio 7 to start correctly.
One Drive
Issues When Using OneDrive and Fire Studio 7
If OneDrive is activated after Fire Studio 7 has been installed, it can lead to complications. OneDrive may remove your c:\Documents folder. Unfortunately, there isn't currently a manual option to redirect Fire Studio 7 to save its required files to a different location other than the default (local) C:\Documents\FireStudio7 directory.
When Fire Studio runs for the first time or subsequently, it checks for the existence of the FireStudio7 folder under C:\Documents. If it doesn't find one, it attempts to create it. However, if the Documents folder itself is missing, Fire Studio won't be able to create it, resulting in program malfunctions. This could manifest as an inability to save or create simulations, or even failures in activation.
To address this:
- If there is no Documents folder (C:\Documents), create one.
- Run Fire Studio 7, and it will automatically generate a FireStudio7 folder and populate it with the necessary files it requires.
Please note that there's a FireStudio7 folder located under C:\ProgramFiles/DigitalCombustion, but it should not be altered, as it serves a distinct purpose from the one under Documents.
Inadequate Graphics
Fire studio will not run if the proper graphics system is not found on the computer. Here is more information:
Fire Studio 7 demands robust hardware for optimal performance, especially in graphics processing. Investing in the most powerful setup within your budget is advisable. Key considerations revolve around the graphics card, system RAM, and the processor.
Graphics Card: Aim for a graphics card equipped with 4-8 GB of RAM for seamless Fire Studio operation. Leading brands like Nvidia and AMD offer suitable options. These cards handle Fire Studio well, ensuring smooth performance without straining the system.
System RAM: Allocate between 4-8+ GB of RAM to complement the graphics card. Ample system memory contributes significantly to Fire Studio's efficiency.
Processor: A powerful processor is essential for pushing Fire Studio to its limits, enabling smoother rendering of complex smoke and fire elements on the screen without compromising performance.
DirectX Compatibility: Fire Studio 6.5 and 7 utilize DirectX 12, necessitating a graphics card compatible with this version for optimal functioning.
*Notice on Integrated Graphics Chips
Integrated Graphics Chips: While some systems incorporate integrated graphics chips like Intel HD or UHD series, they do not offer the desired performance when challenged with heavier simulations. Instances of slowdowns or crashes may occur, particularly as you augment simulations with more fire and smoke layers.
Newer Chips (Xe and Xe Ultra): Recent advancements in chips, such as the Xe and Xe Ultra, have in some cases exhibited acceptable results with Fire Studio 6.5 and 7. However, their reliability varies among users and systems, hence not universally recommended.
Choosing hardware components that align with Fire Studio's requirements ensures a smoother experience, allowing you to explore its capabilities without encountering performance bottlenecks or system crashes.
Our minimum equipment requirements are shown here: