Technical Notice — grandMA3 onPC (Santosom Bundles) and 3D Visualization / Previz

Santosom bundles (mini-PC + controllers) are sized and validated for show operation / lighting control. The 3D Visualization / Previz feature is real-time rendering and may require a dedicated GPU.

Bundle purpose
Operation / Control
3D / Previz
Rendering (GPU-bound)
Typical recommendation
Dedicated GPU ≥ 4 GB VRAM

1) Bundle scope (what it is for)

Santosom bundles are supplied and tested for grandMA3 onPC show operation in real-world use:

  • ✓ programming and playback (Programmer, Playbacks, Pages, Executors)
  • ✓ patching and standard setup
  • ✓ networking (e.g., Art-Net / sACN / MA-Net, as applicable)
  • ✓ operational stability for “run the show”
In short: the bundle PC is an operation machine, not a graphics workstation.

2) What 3D Visualization / Previz is (and why it’s different)

The MA3 3D Visualization / Previz module is real-time 3D rendering (typically GPU-bound). It is not “just another window”: it relies heavily on GPU resources.

Depends on
Dedicated GPU + VRAM + stable drivers
Scales with
heavy scenes, textures, shadows, fixture count
Typical symptoms
low FPS, UI lag, stutter, freezing
Note: even on consoles/workstations, 3D can be sensitive to drivers and scene complexity.

3) Hardware requirements and limitations on bundle mini-PCs

The mini-PCs included in our bundles use integrated graphics (iGPU). This is intentional and appropriate for the bundle’s purpose: control and operation, not 3D rendering.

When do warnings / complaints typically appear?

  • • when opening 3D Viewer / Visualization
  • • when loading a showfile with 3D enabled/open
  • • when using heavy 3D scenes

What it means in practice

The “Recommended specifications not met” warning is tied to the 3D module and GPU/VRAM requirements — not the core MA3 onPC control workflow.

Important: 3D/Previz is outside the bundle’s intended scope. For lighting control operation, 3D rendering is not required.

4) Recommended procedure (reduce crashes and support tickets)

A

How to disable / close 3D

  1. Fully close any window/tab named 3D / 3D Viewer / Visualization / Visualizer (click the X).
  2. Confirm 3D is not open on another monitor (common in multi-display setups).
  3. If your showfile reopens 3D automatically: close it → Save As → keep an “operational” version without 3D.
B

How to confirm 3D is not active

  1. There should be no MA3 window/tab labeled 3D / Visualization.
  2. Check all displays (3D can be “lost” on a secondary screen).
  3. Minimize is not enough — the goal is to close it.
C

Quick stability test (without 3D)

  1. Reboot the PC (clean start).
  2. Open grandMA3 onPC and load the showfile.
  3. Make sure 3D is closed.
  4. Operate for 5–10 minutes: playbacks, page changes, normal editing, basic programming.
  5. If it’s stable without 3D, the issue is related to Previz/3D and/or scene load.
Tech tip: keep two versions of the showfile — an operational one (no 3D) and a previz one (for a workstation with a dedicated GPU).

5) When a dedicated GPU makes sense

If you plan to use Previz/3D regularly (stages, virtual rigs, full 3D workflows), we recommend:

  • ✓ a dedicated GPU (NVIDIA/AMD)
  • ✓ dedicated VRAM (typically ≥ 4 GB; more depending on scene complexity)
  • ✓ stable/tested drivers

Santosom can advise or supply a suitable configuration for 3D/Previz upon request.

6) Scope statement (compatibility and support)

Santosom mini-PC bundles are sold and supported for grandMA3 onPC lighting control operation. The 3D/Previz module requires dedicated graphics hardware and is outside the bundle’s primary purpose.

Issues related exclusively to 3D/Previz (spec warnings, rendering lag, instability when opening 3D) do not indicate a bundle non-conformity, as the bundle is not sized for real-time 3D rendering.
Bundle = MA3 onPC operation with controllers. Previz/3D = rendering and needs a dedicated GPU. If you see spec warnings, close 3D and use the operational showfile without 3D.