Check Panda3D Configuration

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 18 views

Introduction

In this article, we will explore an issue with inconsistent camera behavior on different GPUs when using the Panda3D game engine. We will compare the results of rendering a single object on two platforms: an Intel laptop with integrated graphics and a desktop with an NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti. The object is rendered at (0,0,0) and the camera is positioned at (0,-20,0) in the Panda3D coordinate system.

Description

The issue arises when rendering the object on the desktop with the NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti. The view appears to be "from the ground up", facing (0,0,1) underneath the object. This is in contrast to the laptop with integrated graphics, where the rendering works as expected.

Comparison of Results

The following images demonstrate the issue:

Laptop (Good Results): The object is rendered correctly, with the camera positioned at (0,-20,0) and facing the object.
Desktop (Bad Results): The object is rendered with the camera positioned at (0,-20,0), but the view is "from the ground up", facing (0,0,1) underneath the object.

Steps to Reproduce

The following code demonstrates the issue:

import os, os.path
from direct.showbase.ShowBase import ShowBase
from panda3d.core import WindowProperties
from panda3d.core import Point3, load_prc_file
import simplepbr

class GraphicsApp(ShowBase):
    def __init__(self, model_path):
        ShowBase.__init__(self)
        simplepbr.init()

        wp = WindowProperties()
        wp.setSize(1920, 1080)
        self.win.requestProperties(wp)

        self.model_depth = 0 #10
        self.cam_depth = 20
        scale = 10
        self.dnorm = None # normalization depth
        self.modelPos = Point3(0, self.model_depth, 0)

        self.model = loader.loadModel(model_path)
        self.model.setPos(self.modelPos)
        self.model.setScale(scale, scale, scale)
        self.model.reparentTo(render)

        # set virtual camera
        horizontal_angle, vertical_angle = [70, 70] 
        self.camLens.setFov(horizontal_angle, vertical_angle)
        self.camera.setPos(0, -self.cam_depth, 0)
        self.camera.lookAt(Point3(0, 0, 0))

        # Disable mouse interactive scrolling
        self.disableMouse()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    app = GraphicsApp("models/wolf2/wolf2.gltf")
    app.run()

Please see the attached zip file with the models/wolf2/... data. Place this in the same folder as the above script.

Environment

Operating System: Windows 11 (laptop) / Windows 10 (desktop)
System Architecture: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (laptop) / NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti (desktop)
Panda3D Version: 1.10.15
Installation Method: pip
Python Version: 3.9.20 (laptop), 3.9.21 (desktop)
Compiler: N/A

Possible Causes

The inconsistent camera behavior on different GPUs could be due to various reasons, including:

GPU Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers could cause rendering issues.
Panda3D Configuration: Incorrect configuration of Panda3D settings, such as window properties or camera settings, could lead to inconsistent behavior.
Model Loading: Issues with loading the model, such as incorrect file paths or corrupted model data, could cause rendering problems.

Troubleshooting

To troubleshoot the issue, we can try the following:

Update GPU Drivers: Ensure that the GPU drivers are up-to-date and compatible with the system.
Check Panda3D Configuration: Verify that the Panda3D settings are correct and consistent across both platforms.
Test with Different Models: Try rendering different models to see if the issue is specific to the current model or a general problem.
Enable Debugging: Enable debugging in Panda3D to gather more information about the rendering process and identify potential issues.

Conclusion

Q: What is the issue with the camera behavior on different GPUs?

A: The issue arises when rendering an object on a desktop with an NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti, where the view appears to be "from the ground up", facing (0,0,1) underneath the object, whereas on an Intel laptop with integrated graphics, the rendering works as expected.

Q: What are the possible causes of this issue?

A: The possible causes of this issue include:

GPU Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers could cause rendering issues.
Panda3D Configuration: Incorrect configuration of Panda3D settings, such as window properties or camera settings, could lead to inconsistent behavior.
Model Loading: Issues with loading the model, such as incorrect file paths or corrupted model data, could cause rendering problems.

Q: How can I troubleshoot this issue?

A: To troubleshoot the issue, you can try the following:

Update GPU Drivers: Ensure that the GPU drivers are up-to-date and compatible with the system.
Check Panda3D Configuration: Verify that the Panda3D settings are correct and consistent across both platforms.
Test with Different Models: Try rendering different models to see if the issue is specific to the current model or a general problem.
Enable Debugging: Enable debugging in Panda3D to gather more information about the rendering process and identify potential issues.

Q: What are the system requirements for this issue to occur?

A: The system requirements for this issue to occur include:

Operating System: Windows 11 (laptop) / Windows 10 (desktop)
System Architecture: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (laptop) / NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti (desktop)
Panda3D Version: 1.10.15
Installation Method: pip
Python Version: 3.9.20 (laptop), 3.9.21 (desktop)
Compiler: N/A

Q: Can this issue be resolved by updating the Panda3D version?

A: It is possible that updating the Panda3D version could resolve the issue, but it is not guaranteed. The issue may be specific to the current version of Panda3D and may require a patch or a new version to be released.

Q: How can I report this issue to the Panda3D community?

A: You can report this issue to the Panda3D community by:

Creating a new issue on the Panda3D GitHub page: Provide a detailed description of the issue, including the system requirements, the code used to reproduce the issue, and any relevant logs or debugging information.
Posting on the Panda3D forums: Share your experience and ask for help from the Panda3D community.
Contacting the Panda3D developers directly: Reach out to the Panda3D developers through email or other means to report the issue and seek assistance.

Q: What are the next steps to resolve this issue?

A: The next steps to resolve this issue include:

Gathering more information: Collect more data about the issue, including system logs, debugging information, and any other relevant details.
Testing different solutions: Try different solutions, such as updating the GPU drivers, checking the Panda3D configuration, or testing with different models.
Collaborating with the Panda3D community: Work with the Panda3D community to identify the root cause of the issue and implement a solution.