Blender 2.5 A2: 'Failed to create OpenGL offscreen buffer' Error

Support Compositing and Post Processing
1

Hi all,

I’m starting to learn 2.5 alpha 2 and as the title says, I’m getting an error. Whenever I hit the icons for quick rendering of the 3d window or animation, I get the message ‘Failed to create OpenGL offscreen buffer’. It will do a full render of a frame or an animation no problem, but I can’t render the 3d window as is.

I’ve googled around and found this on blendernation.com:

when i go to render via opengl it prints out on screen – failed to create opengl off screen buffer – i can increase performance and relief this error so that it can render via opengl by replacing the files in lib with the files in lib from version 2.49 from that evrything is much faster
But that had to do with Blender 2.5 alpha 0. I would have assumed it would have been fixed by now. I also found a post on the OpenGL development site (I think, can’t find it now) from one of the devs and Ton about experiencing problems with certain ATI & integrated Intel VPUs, but that post was a year old. I have an integrated Intel video.

Yes, I know, I have a feeling it’s a problem with my video processor. I’ll try updating the drivers next, but was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem???

Thanks for any help,
Randy

2

I also have this problem. I’m running blender 2.5 alpha 2 on fedora linux 12 with python 2.6.2 with an ATI Technologies Inc Radeon X1650 Pro 512MB 4x/8x AGP card on a Dell Precision 450 (2.4 Ghz Xeon). It’s 32 bit. I believe I’m using the latest radeon open source driver.

I tried the following python script in 2.49b (didn’t work in 2.5 alpha 2)
from Blender.BGL import *
print "GL Vendor ", glGetString(GL_VENDOR)
print “GL Renderer”, glGetString(GL_RENDERER)
print "GL Version ", glGetString(GL_VERSION)

and its output was:
GL Vendor DRI R300 Project
GL Renderer Mesa DRI R300 (RV530 71C1) 20090101 AGP 4x TCL
GL Version 1.5 Mesa 7.7.1-DEVEL

Which I think means I am running 3D accelerated graphics

Running glxgears yields the following if it makes a difference:
4583 frames in 5.0 seconds = 916.578 FPS
5583 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1116.543 FPS
5558 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1111.374 FPS
5933 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1186.592 FPS
6018 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1203.503 FPS

Here is the output I get from glxinfo if that helps:
glxinfo
name of display: :0.0
display: :0 screen: 0
direct rendering: Yes
server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.2
server glx extensions:
GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_import_context, GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap,
GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_MESA_copy_sub_buffer,
GLX_OML_swap_method, GLX_SGI_make_current_read, GLX_SGI_swap_control,
GLX_SGIS_multisample, GLX_SGIX_fbconfig, GLX_SGIX_pbuffer,
GLX_SGIX_visual_select_group
client glx vendor string: Mesa Project and SGI
client glx version string: 1.4
client glx extensions:
GLX_ARB_get_proc_address, GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_import_context,
GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_MESA_allocate_memory,
GLX_MESA_copy_sub_buffer, GLX_MESA_swap_control,
GLX_MESA_swap_frame_usage, GLX_OML_swap_method, GLX_OML_sync_control,
GLX_SGI_make_current_read, GLX_SGI_swap_control, GLX_SGI_video_sync,
GLX_SGIS_multisample, GLX_SGIX_fbconfig, GLX_SGIX_pbuffer,
GLX_SGIX_visual_select_group, GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap
GLX version: 1.2
GLX extensions:
GLX_ARB_get_proc_address, GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_import_context,
GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_MESA_copy_sub_buffer,
GLX_MESA_swap_control, GLX_MESA_swap_frame_usage, GLX_OML_swap_method,
GLX_SGI_make_current_read, GLX_SGI_swap_control, GLX_SGI_video_sync,
GLX_SGIS_multisample, GLX_SGIX_fbconfig, GLX_SGIX_pbuffer,
GLX_SGIX_visual_select_group
OpenGL vendor string: DRI R300 Project
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI R300 (RV530 71C1) 20090101 AGP 4x TCL
OpenGL version string: 1.5 Mesa 7.7.1-DEVEL
OpenGL extensions:
GL_ARB_depth_texture, GL_ARB_draw_buffers, GL_ARB_fragment_program,
GL_ARB_imaging, GL_ARB_multisample, GL_ARB_multitexture,
GL_ARB_occlusion_query, GL_ARB_point_parameters, GL_ARB_provoking_vertex,
GL_ARB_shadow, GL_ARB_shadow_ambient, GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp,
GL_ARB_texture_compression, GL_ARB_texture_cube_map,
GL_ARB_texture_env_add, GL_ARB_texture_env_combine,
GL_ARB_texture_env_crossbar, GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3,
GL_MESAX_texture_float, GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat,
GL_ARB_texture_rectangle, GL_ARB_transpose_matrix,
GL_ARB_vertex_array_bgra, GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object,
GL_ARB_vertex_program, GL_ARB_window_pos, GL_EXT_abgr, GL_EXT_bgra,
GL_EXT_blend_color, GL_EXT_blend_equation_separate,
GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, GL_EXT_blend_logic_op, GL_EXT_blend_minmax,
GL_EXT_blend_subtract, GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array, GL_EXT_convolution,
GL_EXT_copy_texture, GL_EXT_draw_range_elements, GL_EXT_fog_coord,
GL_EXT_gpu_program_parameters, GL_EXT_histogram, GL_EXT_multi_draw_arrays,
GL_EXT_packed_depth_stencil, GL_EXT_packed_pixels,
GL_EXT_point_parameters, GL_EXT_polygon_offset, GL_EXT_provoking_vertex,
GL_EXT_rescale_normal, GL_EXT_secondary_color,
GL_EXT_separate_specular_color, GL_EXT_shadow_funcs,
GL_EXT_stencil_two_side, GL_EXT_stencil_wrap, GL_EXT_subtexture,
GL_EXT_texture, GL_EXT_texture3D, GL_EXT_texture_cube_map,
GL_EXT_texture_edge_clamp, GL_EXT_texture_env_add,
GL_EXT_texture_env_combine, GL_EXT_texture_env_dot3,
GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic, GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias,
GL_EXT_texture_mirror_clamp, GL_EXT_texture_object,
GL_EXT_texture_rectangle, GL_EXT_texture_sRGB, GL_EXT_vertex_array,
GL_EXT_vertex_array_bgra, GL_APPLE_packed_pixels,
GL_ATI_blend_equation_separate, GL_ATI_texture_env_combine3,
GL_ATI_texture_mirror_once, GL_ATI_separate_stencil,
GL_IBM_multimode_draw_arrays, GL_IBM_rasterpos_clip,
GL_IBM_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_INGR_blend_func_separate,
GL_MESA_pack_invert, GL_MESA_ycbcr_texture, GL_MESA_window_pos,
GL_NV_blend_square, GL_NV_light_max_exponent, GL_NV_packed_depth_stencil,
GL_NV_texture_rectangle, GL_NV_texgen_reflection, GL_NV_vertex_program,
GL_OES_read_format, GL_SGI_color_matrix, GL_SGI_color_table,
GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_SGIS_texture_border_clamp,
GL_SGIS_texture_edge_clamp, GL_SGIS_texture_lod, GL_SUN_multi_draw_arrays

8 GLX Visuals
visual x bf lv rg d st colorbuffer ax dp st accumbuffer ms cav
id dep cl sp sz l ci b ro r g b a bf th cl r g b a ns b eat

0x21 24 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x22 24 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x76 24 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x77 24 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x78 24 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x79 24 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x7a 24 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x6d 32 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ncon

8 GLXFBConfigs:
visual x bf lv rg d st colorbuffer ax dp st accumbuffer ms cav
id dep cl sp sz l ci b ro r g b a bf th cl r g b a ns b eat

0x6e 0 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x6f 0 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x70 0 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x71 0 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x72 0 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x73 0 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x74 0 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x75 0 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow

3

Whew, then I’m not the only one with this problem… I submitted a bug report, plan to download a new build sometime soon to see if I still have the problem… will post if it solves the problem.

Randy

4

I downloaded the latest build from graphicall.org last night, and still have this problem.

Anybody have any ideas what’s causing this??

Randy

5

I just finally got (what I thought) was a working version of 2,5 for my MAc MIni yesterday, but am having the exact same error as you. I was previewing in 2.49 with no issue. Will keep following this thread.

Damn, the new GUI is SO nice too…back to the old one I guess…

6

i’m having this problem and it’s BLENDER 2.55! can someone help.

7

Why don’t you use blender 2.57? It could be a bug in the earlier versions that has been fixed. 2.57 is much more stable.

other than that, I have no idea.

8

I’m getting it too… I think it’s a hardware problem, as my graphics card is waaaaaay too old…

9

I am getting this problem as well. I am running Windows 7 (x64) Ultimate, and have tried a clean boot with no other graphical programs open, and I’ve noticed 2 problems:

  1. When I press the OpenGL render button in 3d view, I get the “offscreen buffer” error. Occasionally this will also black out the interface panels until I click in them.

  2. Sometimes Blender will LAG LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER. I look at my HDD indicator light, and it’s not doing a lot, so it’s not trying to load anything. The lag is consistent and persistent until I close and re-open Blender. Sometimes multiple restarts are needed to get it to load up without the lag.

I am fairly sure I have…a GeForce 9800m GTS /wo CUDA. I have a 2 year old high end gaming laptop, so dated hardware should be out of the question. I will try updating my Nvidia drivers and installing the latest build of Blender and post my results.

EDIT 1:
More specs - http://screencast.com/t/GTgyn4zF4tl - http://screencast.com/t/28gZvmQWk1g

EDIT 2:
So I ran the latest, and it rant pretty smooth so far…then went back and ran 2.57, and now that works too. I decided to also install a beta driver from May 11th from Nvidia’s site. I think that may be helping it as well. :3

If anybody else is still having the problem though, definitely post about it.

10

I still have this problem and despite atill looking for help I have never been able to find a solution.

11

Me too. Any one out there?

12

I’m having the same error in 2.59! My PC’s at least five years old, I think, and it has integrated graphics. It sounds like its probably a hardware issue. I’ll probably look into updating drivers. If I remember, I’ll post back here with my results.

13

Wow, someone dug up this old thread…

Anyhow, here’s what I’ve learned. For me it was a problem with intel g31 chipset with integrated graphics. There was an announcement seeking testing for intel graphics by Ton once on this forum, and I provided all the information I could. You can read about some of the stuff here: http://code.blender.org/index.php/2011/03/intel-graphics-card-testing-needed/
I reported my problems in the thread here on BA, not at that link.

So here’s how I solved my problem, I bought an Nvidia GeForce 8400GS graphics card for about $65 from newegg.com. I could have bought an even cheaper card than that, but the one I bought has 2 video outputs, so I can run dual monitors, (but haven’t, no desk space…etc…).

I’ve read reports of ATI video cards not functioning perfectly with blender before here on the forum, so that was my reason for going for a Nvidia card. Plus, in an older pc I had, I bought an ATI card for it and the video from it had red single pixel lines in the display that appeared randomly.

Also note that I have not done any GPU rendering yet with this card, so I can’t comment on that.

So basically, my experience is to buy Nvidia cards and stay away from ATI & Intel GPUs. I think even at the blender conference, Brecht mentions that he’s having issues with the cycles render engine and ATI’s OpenCL.

Randy

14

I read a recent comit that was fixing a powers of 2 error in rendering textures, I wonder if they are related to this display problem?

15

Thanks for the info, randy. Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’ll just have to upgrade the video card (and I use that term loosely- old computer, cant’ afford much). I’ve heard the same thing about Nvidia versus others, so that’s mostly all I’ve been looking at. I might try an old card from another computer I have sitting around first. Not sure what kind it is, but I’ll post about how it works.

16

Well, so much for that. The old card goes in an AGP slot and, oddly, my (only) slightly newer computer only has PCI. Looks like I’ll have to shell out the cash.

17

This thread is from 2011 but i don’t give a fuck. I just had this issue and it was because my render resolution was set way too high and opengl render ignores render borders, so i guess there was not enough memory. I just lowered the render resolution and it worked. (Just in case anyone else might have the same problem as this is currently the first result i found on google.)

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18

Alright you guys I finally fixed it after hours of searching!! Ahh I hope I dont run into any more errors… anyways follow this link https://download.blender.org/ftp/sergey/softwaregl/
And selected the .dll file for your operating system… and place it in the same directory as your blender.exe file and Walla!! You will be able to render opengl animation and images without that annoying error code… thank me later

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