Run a PIX Experiment

When PIX runs an experiment, it gathers the data as specified in an experiment file, and stores the results in a file with the .PIXRun extension.

There are two ways to initiate running an experiment:

• Gathering Data from the Graphical User Interface
• Gathering Data from the Command Line

Gathering Data from the Graphical User Interface

There is more than one way to start gathering data.

From an experiment, you can either

• Click the Start Experiment button.

  

• From the File menu, choose Start Experiment.

  

Attaching a Debugger

It may be desirable to attach a debugger (provided by the developer) to the process running the Direct3D application, in order to acquire additional information about the experiment. To do so, it is most useful to know the point at which PIX attaches to the application's process so that the debugger can capture the relevant information.

PIX provides a simple mechanism to inform you when that occurs, to pause while you attach the debugger to the application's proceess, and to resume execution at your request. PIX will also provide you with some of the information you are likely to need to attach the debugger to the desired process.

To attach a debugger to an experiment

1. Hold down the Shift key while clicking Start Experiment button.
2. A message box will appear notifying you that PIX has attached to the target program. This message box will also identify the path of the application's executable, the DLL used by PIX to capture data and the command-line used to invoke the application.
3. Attach your debugger to the process. If needed, you can copy and paste the path information offered by the message box as your debugger requires it to attach to the process.
4. Click OK to resume the experiment.

Gathering Data from the Command Line

Running PIX from the command line may be more convenient when setting up an automated batch action such as overnight testing. See Command-Line Syntax.

See Also

User's Guide