Using 3D Graphics Applications

With Parallels Desktop, you can run games and applications that require video cards with DirectX or OpenGL support in your Windows virtual machines.

The DirectX9.0 and OpenGL2.1 support can be enabled for virtual machines with Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 guest operating systems that have Parallels Tools installed.

Enabling DirectX and OpenGL support in a virtual machine

If your virtual machine does not have Parallels Tools installed:

1. Start the virtual machine and choose Install Parallels Tools from the Virtual Machine menu to launch the installation.
2. When Parallels Tools are installed, shut down the virtual machine.

To enable DirectX and OpenGL support in the virtual machine configuration:

1. Open the virtual machine and choose Configure from the Virtual Machine menu to open the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog.
2. In the Video pane (the Hardware group of settings), select the Enable 3D acceleration option.
3. Click OK to apply the changes.

Note: If the virtual machine is running, the new settings will come into effect after you restart the virtual machine.

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