3ds Max + Photoshop issues

[AJ Jefferies]

My apologies if this is the wrong place to post something like this, but I figured the chances of someone having the same issue would be higher here than anywhere else!

I've been using Max and Photoshop on the same system, at the same time, for something like 15+ years now with very minimal issues. Don't get me wrong, if I'm working on a resource intensive PS image, I will instinctively close 3ds Max to free up resources and vice versa, but for general Photoshop use, there's never been a problem having both applications open.

A few months ago I configured a new PC with an almost identical setup to my other machine at work, just with some newer components: A newer MB, slightly faster RAM, an RTX 3080 instead of an RTX 2060, and Windows 11 Pro instead of Windows 10 pro. For 3ds Max work and rendering it is indistinguishable to my other machine BUT when I open Photoshop and Max at the same time, the whole system grinds to a halt and Photoshop becomes impossibly sluggish, taking 10-20 seconds just to show a dialog box. I have been trying to chase down what the issue might be and have toggled every recommended setting to try and fix the issue but none of them have worked. I have instead, resigned myself to shutting down Max every time I need to open Photoshop but it's incredibly frustrating, especially as my other PC (which I have setup at home) has no issue whatsoever. I assume it's something to do with the way they applications are using the GPU but I've never had this before.

For the record I have tried disabling the GPU in Photoshop, changing the scratch disk location, deactivating Native Canvas, changing my monitor (some people advised the problem would be with the Cintiq I use, but this doesn't seem to be relevant), disabling/force enabling vertical sync, rolling back Photoshop by 1,2 or 3 versions, installing old Nvidia drivers and almost certainly more.

I guess all I want to know is has anyone else had any firsthand experience of this and were you able to fix it? I'm toying with the idea of downgrading to Windows 10 pro and selling my 3080 and getting an older card, or even buying a Mac Mini *just* for Photoshop work but these feel like insane solutions...

Any advice would be hugely welcome!

AJ

[Vizioen]

I've been reading similar issues with slow responding workstations (in a lot of different circumstances). Not only combo Max + PS.

Do you mean, it's slow while rendering or even when it's not? And if so, do you render with CPU or GPU. Also which CPU do you have?

[AJ Jefferies]

Photoshop is unbearably slow with just Max open and nothing in the scene. I have an i9-10980XE, which is the same processor I have at home. I'm using CPU rendering, but like I said the problem occurs without doing anything with Max at all.

I've been trawling google and social media for people with the same issue for months and some seem to think it's specifically a problem with the RTX 30 series of cards, some think it's the motherboard (The new machine has an ASUS ROG STRIX X299-E GAMING II MB, my other PC has an ASUS Prime X299-A II), some say it's the Cintiq (which I've ruled out) and some say it's a Windows 11 issue. I've changed the viewports in Max to all of the options including the legacy OpenGL/Direct3D modes but it has no effect.

I'm getting to the point of swapping components between the two machines to see if I can track down the issue but every time I consider it, I get busy!

[Bruce Hart]

Hey AJ - I've got the same CPU but a 2080Ti GPU. Just recently I was having trouble with Twinmotion causing my system to freeze completely. I updated drivers, did a RAM diagnostic, but the problem remained. Turned out my card was overheating. Sometimes the thermal paste joining the heat sink to the chip can dry out. Perhaps your issue is entirely different, but just thought I'd mention it. The 2080Ti card has a thermal cut off at at 85 degrees. Not sure if the 3080 cards have a thottle down? Do other GPU intensive apps run OK, or is it just the 3DS Max/Photoshop combo?

[AJ Jefferies]

Hey Bruce, thank you so much for the info! So far all other GPU operations are fine, I've run some stress tests (FurMark...etc.) and the card doesn't seem to be running too hot but I'm willing to look into anything at this point, so I will double check. Thank you.

Randomly, I noticed that Photoshop runs (marginally) better if none of the UI is on screen. Obviously that's not ideal for actual work but I'm going to add it to list of weird issues.

[Bruce Hart]

Hey AJ - I hope you get to the bottom of what's going on. I downloaded a utility called GPU-Z which told me all the stats of my card and the temperatures it was running at. https://www.guru3d.com/files-details...chpowerup.html

Cheers

[Pixelcon]

Hey Bruce, thank you so much for the info! So far all other GPU operations are fine, I've run some stress tests (FurMark...etc.) and the card doesn't seem to be running too hot but I'm willing to look into anything at this point, so I will double check. Thank you.

Randomly, I noticed that Photoshop runs (marginally) better if none of the UI is on screen. Obviously that's not ideal for actual work but I'm going to add it to list of weird issues.

I've tried running older versions of photoshop but I'm having ongoing problems with seemingly all versions myself.

[AJ Jefferies]

I've tried running older versions of photoshop but I'm having ongoing problems with seemingly all versions myself.

It's a nightmare! Do you mind me asking what GPU you have? I'm convinced it's the cause of my woes but I've yet to do some proper tests with a different card.

[Pixelcon]

I was having so many issues with PS starting to freak out yesterday. I was having to restart every 30 mins. I have just updated drivers and moved back to 2022 with the hope of better stability. I haven't done any PS work since updating however.

[AJ Jefferies]

I cannot 100% confirm this, but in pure desperation I installed the new version (24) and so far, it's running much, much smoother than it ever has done. I'm sure as soon as I post this it will turn to treacle once again, but so far I have Max open and I'm working on a couple of 4K psds with no issues...

[Pixelcon]

Installing now!

I read on the forums also that there are issues with 3D apps and Nvidias new-ish drivers so this could also be a contributing factor.

[AJ Jefferies]

VERY belated update but this issue hadn't stopped plaguing my one machine. I had to get into the habit of restarting and only using Photoshop without firing any other application up (especially 3ds Max or Chrome) however it would eventually get bogged down and be unusable. It was doubly frustrating that ONLY Adobe programs seemed to have the issue, and I have a near identical PC that runs completely smoothly.

I finally had some time to do some proper testing yesterday and I think I have found the problem. I swapped the GPU with my 'good' PC but the problem persisted, I tried different monitors, keyboards and was just about to test each stick of RAM when I decided to uninstall the Wacom drivers first... I use a Cintiq so the Wacom drivers are essential (and my 'good' PC works flawlessly with said Cintiq), however as soon as I restarted windows, the problem had vanished. Photoshop runs like a dream and I stress tested it by doing some PS work *whilst* Max/V-Ray were rendering - which is not something I would normally do but it proved the fault was gone.

I'm going to speak to Wacom about this issue now but I just wanted to update in case anyone else was having a similar problem. From my limited experience it seems to only affect Windows 11 + Adobe applications. If I hear anything back I will update.

[Vizioen]

Hi, there was an issue with Wacom drivers but it made Max crash, not sure if you updated to the latest, might be worth giving it a shot. https://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...d-3ds-Max.html

[AJ Jefferies]

Yes! I knew about that issue, I spent an agonising WEEK trying to figure out what was causing Max to crash. Unfortunately it seems the fix has no impact on the issue I've been facing. Thank you though!