Snaptrude runs in your web browser, so there is nothing to install. The speed of your browser, graphics card and internet connection decides how smoothly large models open, orbit and render. Use this page to check your setup and to understand the browser and graphics messages Snaptrude may show you.
Recommended setup
Component | Requirement |
Browser | Google Chrome (latest version), with hardware acceleration turned on. Chrome is the only browser Snaptrude is tested and validated on. |
Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, or macOS 12 or later |
Graphics | 4 GB or more of graphics memory, with support for WebGPU (WebGL 2 is used as a fallback) |
CPU | Intel Core i-series or AMD Ryzen at 2.5 GHz or faster (faster clock speeds help most); Apple M1 Pro or later on Mac |
Memory (RAM) | 16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended |
Display | 1920 x 1200 minimum, up to 4K |
Internet | 100 Mbps minimum, 300 Mbps recommended |
Note: Large projects with many stories, imported models or detailed BIM objects need more memory and graphics power. If you regularly work on large projects, aim for the recommended values rather than the minimums.
How Snaptrude uses your graphics card
Snaptrude draws your 3D model with WebGPU, a modern browser graphics technology that makes better use of your graphics card. If your browser or computer can't use WebGPU, Snaptrude falls back to the older WebGL renderer. Your project still opens and works, but larger models may run less smoothly.
To get the best performance, Snaptrude needs to use your computer's dedicated graphics card (GPU) with hardware acceleration turned on in the browser. Laptops with both an integrated and a dedicated GPU sometimes run the browser on the integrated one to save power.
What the in-app banners and messages mean
Browser banner: "use Google Chrome"
If you open Snaptrude in Safari, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Brave or another browser that isn't Chrome, a banner recommends switching to Google Chrome. It appears in every mode, on sign-up and on the dashboard, and comes back each session until you switch. Other browsers may work, but features can behave differently. For example, column Filter in Program Mode does not work in Safari.
WebGPU banner
A banner at the top of the screen tells you when Snaptrude is not running on WebGPU and has fallen back to WebGL. Try the steps in "Fix graphics and performance problems" below. If the banner keeps appearing, contact Snaptrude support through Help (the ? icon, bottom-left) so the team can help check your setup.
GPU access message
A message appears when Snaptrude detects that your browser is not using your dedicated graphics card, or that hardware acceleration or WebGL is unavailable. Follow the steps below to give the browser access to your GPU.
Fix graphics and performance problems
Turn on hardware acceleration in Chrome
In Chrome, open the three-dot menu and select Settings.
Select System.
Turn on Use graphics acceleration when available.
Select Relaunch to restart Chrome, then reopen your project.
Check that WebGPU is available
In Chrome's address bar, enter
chrome://gpu.Under Graphics Feature Status, check that WebGPU and WebGL2 show as hardware accelerated.
If they show as disabled or software only, update Chrome and your graphics drivers, then check again.
Make Chrome use your dedicated GPU (Windows)
Open Windows Settings and go to System > Display > Graphics.
Find Google Chrome in the list of apps (add it if it isn't listed).
Set its graphics preference to High performance.
Restart Chrome.
Tip: On laptops, plug in to power while working in Snaptrude. Many laptops limit the GPU on battery. Some graphics drivers, such as the NVIDIA Control Panel, also let you assign Chrome to the dedicated GPU.
Troubleshooting
The model is slow or choppy: Close other heavy browser tabs and apps, confirm hardware acceleration is on, and check that Chrome is using your dedicated GPU.
The browser banner shows even though you use Chrome: Make sure you are in Google Chrome itself, not another Chromium-based browser such as Edge, Brave or Opera.
The WebGPU banner or GPU message keeps appearing: Update Chrome and your graphics drivers, restart your computer, and contact Snaptrude support if it continues.
Related articles
Getting Started with Snaptrude
Improve Performance on Large Projects
Keyboard Shortcuts