So this guide is intended for Linux users, ubuntu in particular. For you Windoze users, I haven't tried it on the various OS. If I get time I will try it out and see if i can make a how to for you.
Caution: I have no idea if this is going to break your graphics and/or your Operating system. Do this at your own risk know the consequences...make sure you have everything backed up before proceeding. Also, I am not an expert by any means. If you have a question, I will do my best to help, but maybe some of the Java/programmers/computer geeks can chime in as well to help out.
Other Notes: The basis of this howto is using the OpenGL driver for your graphics card. I will show some basic steps, but you need to find out 1.) if you graphics card can support it and 2.) if it can be enabled on your operating system...that is beyond the scope of this tutorial (and somewhat beyond me). Google is your friend.
This should work for any Java based platform. I did it on Thinkorswim since that is what I run and noticed a huge difference...especially in the load speed of the charts. Im guessing it should work for you IB TWS users or any java platform for that matter.
I ran this on a Dell E6400 with Intel GMA4500 HMD integrated graphics with Ubuntu Lucid installed.
I cannot take any credit for this other than writing it up...I found the majority of the information here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1129187
So lets get started:
First,
lets make sure your graphics are running ok.
Open a terminal and type:
glxgears
(Hit CTRL-C to stop or just close the window)
If you have a newer chipset, say a core duo and up, you should be seeing over 1000 per 5 secs (Im not expert just a guestimate based on what I've seen on the net). If your not, you most likely need a new/updated/different driver. Again, beyond the scope but google it and ask questions. I see around 2500 with my system. If you have a high end graphics card, you are probably anywhere from 4000-8000.
Next,
let's make sure OpenGL is installed and working...again,in the terminal type:
glxinfo | grep render
You should see something along the lines of:
direct rendering: Yes
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset GEM 20091221
If you do not see something like this...same deal, probably need a new/updated/different driver with OpenGL AND/OR you need to see if you system can even support OpenGL.
Next,
You need to find the folder where the start-up shell script is stored. For thinkorswim on my system, the file is called "thinkorswim" and its in home=>thinkorswim=>thinkorswim. If you can't find it, do a system wide search for thinkorswim...you are then looking for the file type to be a shell script.
Now that you've found it, we need to go to that directory and edit that file...type in the terminal:
cd /thinkorswim/thinkorswim (or to wherever your start-up shell script is located)
then,
sudo gedit thinkorswim
Next,
You should have the thinkorswim file open in a text editor with a whole bunch of programming mumbo jumbo. Scroll down towards the bottom and find a line that looks like:
INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS="$INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS $vmoptions_val"
If there is a # in front of this line, delete the # only.
Next,
We need to add some stuff to the script...right below where it has INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS="$INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS $vmoptions_val", there should be another set of lines that contains something along the lines of:
"$app_java_home/bin/java" -Dinstall4j.jvmDir="$app_java_home" -Dexe4j.moduleName="$prg_dir/$progname" $INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS -classpath "$local_classpath" com.install4j.runtime.Launcher launch com.devexperts.jnlp.Launcher true false "$prg_dir/client.out" "$prg_dir/client.out" true true false "" true true 470 265 "" 20 20 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 "" 20 40 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 -1 "$@"
In this set of lines we need to add the following:
-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -Dsun.java2d.opengl=true -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false
Here is how it looks on mine. Im not sure if its ok to move this set of commands around or what, but I put them as below and it seems to work:
"$app_java_home/bin/java" -Dinstall4j.jvmDir="$app_java_home" -Dexe4j.moduleName="$prg_dir/$progname" -Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -Dsun.java2d.opengl=true -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false $INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS -classpath "$local_classpath" com.install4j.runtime.Launcher launch com.devexperts.jnlp.Launcher true false "$prg_dir/client.out" "$prg_dir/client.out" true true false "" true true 470 265 "" 20 20 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 "" 20 40 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 -1 "$@"
Note: For you guys running other Java Platforms such as IB TWS you want to look for something that has "VM_PARAMS" or "VM_Properties" or default_options...something along those lines is where you need to stick the extra code.
Here is the java site for some reference:
http://download.oracle.com/javase/1.5.0/docs/guide/2d/flags.html
Now,
Save and close your file. Then reopen Thinkorswim...it should load about the same speed, but then go over to your charts and you should see a dramatically faster load time.
Thats it. Hope this helps someone. As I said, I will do my best to answer questions and work on a windows howto (if it will work at all)
Caution: I have no idea if this is going to break your graphics and/or your Operating system. Do this at your own risk know the consequences...make sure you have everything backed up before proceeding. Also, I am not an expert by any means. If you have a question, I will do my best to help, but maybe some of the Java/programmers/computer geeks can chime in as well to help out.
Other Notes: The basis of this howto is using the OpenGL driver for your graphics card. I will show some basic steps, but you need to find out 1.) if you graphics card can support it and 2.) if it can be enabled on your operating system...that is beyond the scope of this tutorial (and somewhat beyond me). Google is your friend.
This should work for any Java based platform. I did it on Thinkorswim since that is what I run and noticed a huge difference...especially in the load speed of the charts. Im guessing it should work for you IB TWS users or any java platform for that matter.
I ran this on a Dell E6400 with Intel GMA4500 HMD integrated graphics with Ubuntu Lucid installed.
I cannot take any credit for this other than writing it up...I found the majority of the information here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1129187
So lets get started:
First,
lets make sure your graphics are running ok.
Open a terminal and type:
glxgears
(Hit CTRL-C to stop or just close the window)
If you have a newer chipset, say a core duo and up, you should be seeing over 1000 per 5 secs (Im not expert just a guestimate based on what I've seen on the net). If your not, you most likely need a new/updated/different driver. Again, beyond the scope but google it and ask questions. I see around 2500 with my system. If you have a high end graphics card, you are probably anywhere from 4000-8000.
Next,
let's make sure OpenGL is installed and working...again,in the terminal type:
glxinfo | grep render
You should see something along the lines of:
direct rendering: Yes
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset GEM 20091221
If you do not see something like this...same deal, probably need a new/updated/different driver with OpenGL AND/OR you need to see if you system can even support OpenGL.
Next,
You need to find the folder where the start-up shell script is stored. For thinkorswim on my system, the file is called "thinkorswim" and its in home=>thinkorswim=>thinkorswim. If you can't find it, do a system wide search for thinkorswim...you are then looking for the file type to be a shell script.
Now that you've found it, we need to go to that directory and edit that file...type in the terminal:
cd /thinkorswim/thinkorswim (or to wherever your start-up shell script is located)
then,
sudo gedit thinkorswim
Next,
You should have the thinkorswim file open in a text editor with a whole bunch of programming mumbo jumbo. Scroll down towards the bottom and find a line that looks like:
INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS="$INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS $vmoptions_val"
If there is a # in front of this line, delete the # only.
Next,
We need to add some stuff to the script...right below where it has INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS="$INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS $vmoptions_val", there should be another set of lines that contains something along the lines of:
"$app_java_home/bin/java" -Dinstall4j.jvmDir="$app_java_home" -Dexe4j.moduleName="$prg_dir/$progname" $INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS -classpath "$local_classpath" com.install4j.runtime.Launcher launch com.devexperts.jnlp.Launcher true false "$prg_dir/client.out" "$prg_dir/client.out" true true false "" true true 470 265 "" 20 20 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 "" 20 40 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 -1 "$@"
In this set of lines we need to add the following:
-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -Dsun.java2d.opengl=true -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false
Here is how it looks on mine. Im not sure if its ok to move this set of commands around or what, but I put them as below and it seems to work:
"$app_java_home/bin/java" -Dinstall4j.jvmDir="$app_java_home" -Dexe4j.moduleName="$prg_dir/$progname" -Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -Dsun.java2d.opengl=true -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false $INSTALL4J_ADD_VM_PARAMS -classpath "$local_classpath" com.install4j.runtime.Launcher launch com.devexperts.jnlp.Launcher true false "$prg_dir/client.out" "$prg_dir/client.out" true true false "" true true 470 265 "" 20 20 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 "" 20 40 "Arial" "0,0,0" 8 500 -1 "$@"
Note: For you guys running other Java Platforms such as IB TWS you want to look for something that has "VM_PARAMS" or "VM_Properties" or default_options...something along those lines is where you need to stick the extra code.
Here is the java site for some reference:
http://download.oracle.com/javase/1.5.0/docs/guide/2d/flags.html
Now,
Save and close your file. Then reopen Thinkorswim...it should load about the same speed, but then go over to your charts and you should see a dramatically faster load time.
Thats it. Hope this helps someone. As I said, I will do my best to answer questions and work on a windows howto (if it will work at all)