微软(Microsoft)宣布了 DirectX 的下一个版本，称为(DirectX)DirectX 12 Ultimate(DirectX 12 Ultimate)。使此公告有趣的是，这也使 PC 和Xbox Series X保持一致，即跨 PC 和Xbox Series X的统一图形平台。较早的版本DirectX 12现在已经快六年了，并且应该进行重大更新，主要是因为 Xbox 上的游戏也可用于 PC。微软(Microsoft)最近公布了由DirectX 12 Ultimate提供支持的(Ultimate)Xbox Series X详细信息。让我们看一下Microsoft提供的所有功能和开发人员工具。
DirectX 12 终极功能
在我们开始之前，微软(Microsoft)已经明确表示，如果您购买带有DX12 Ultimate标志的新 PC，则保证支持所有下一代图形硬件功能。这包括
- DirectX 光线追踪 1.1
- 可变速率着色
- 网格着色器
- 采样器反馈
所有这些功能将确保您的计算机能够玩依赖于此的下一代游戏。DX12 Ultimate(DX12)将在当前一代的硬件上运行，但不会提供新功能的视觉优势。平台的统一将提高采用率，并激励开发人员为这两个平台制作游戏。
1] DirectX 光线追踪 1.1
它将让开发人员有机会达到一定水平的图形，而这只有在宝莱坞(Bollywood)才有可能。DirectX Raytracing或DXR可以通过逼真的物理计算来追踪光路。它还使游戏引擎可以在玩家四处移动时轻松渲染对象。这一切都是可能的，因为GPU可以直接调用光线追踪而无需等待CPU，从而使其立即生成。它还提供了一个内联(Inline)光线追踪帽子，让开发人员可以选择驱动更多的光线追踪过程。所有这些都在硬件层面。
2]可变速率着色
开发人员现在可以选择性地改变游戏的着色率。他们可以使用GPU来利用其马力来获得更好的视觉效果或更快的速度。因此，如果其动作节奏快的场景，开发人员可以指示GPU使用速度，并且为了获得电影体验，要求它在更好的视觉效果上工作。总体结果是提高了帧速率。
3]网格着色器
此功能为游戏玩家提供了更多的可编程能力。由于通用GPU计算的全部功能可用于几何管道，他们现在可以构建更详细和动态的世界。esh 着色器不是单一的着色函数，而是跨整个计算线程组运行。
Rather than a single function that shades one vertex or one primitive, mesh shaders operate across an entire compute thread group, with access to group shared memory and advanced compute features such as cross-lane wave intrinsics that provide even more fine-grained control over actual hardware execution
4]采样器反馈
它使开发人员能够在需要时加载纹理。因此，当相机快速拍摄场景时，一些物体看起来不合适。采样器(Sampler)反馈将确保提供更好的视觉质量、更短的加载时间和更少的卡顿。
哪种显卡可以使用DirectX 12 Ultimate？
NVIDIA已正式分享GeForce RTX 系列将率先体验此功能。
AMD RDNA 2也准备好(also ready)了，这是 AMD 即将推出的游戏架构。
DirectX 12 Ultimate的工具和要求(Requirement)
Microsoft 已共享工具的完整详细信息，以及使用(complete details)DirectX 12 Ultimate进行开发的最低要求。它包括操作系统、Visual Studio、Windows Insider Preview SDK、驱动程序(Drivers)和硬件、PIX（DirectX 12调试器）等。
在官方开发博客(official dev blog.)上阅读有关它的更多详细信息。
DirectX 12 Ultimate Features, Tools and Minimum requirements
Mіcrosoft has announced the next version of DirectX dubbed DirectX 12 Ultimate. What makes this announcement interesting is that this also aligns both PC and Xbox Series X i.e., unified graphics platform across PC and Xbox Series X. The earlier version, DirectX 12, is almost six years old now, and a significant update was due, mainly because games on Xbox are also available for PC. Microsoft recently announced Xbox Series X details, which are powered by DirectX 12 Ultimate. Let’s take a look at all the features and developer tools Microsoft is offering.
DirectX 12 Ultimate Features
Before we start, Microsoft has clearly stated that if you buy a new PC that carries the logo of DX12 Ultimate, it is guaranteed to support all next-generation graphics hardware features. It includes
- DirectX Raytracing 1.1
- Variable Rate Shading
- Mesh Shaders
- Sampler Feedback
All these features will ensure that your computer will be able to play next-generation games that depend on this. DX12 ultimate will run on the hardware of the current generation, but it will not deliver the visual benefits of the new features. The unification of the platforms will increase adoption, and inspire developers to make games for both the platforms.
1] DirectX Raytracing 1.1
It will give developers a chance to achieve a level of graphics, which was only possible in Bollywood. DirectX Raytracing or DXR makes it possible to traces paths of light with true-to-life physics calculations. It also makes it easy for game engines to render objects as the player moves around. All this is possible because the GPU can directly invoke raytracing without waiting for the CPU, allowing it to spawn immediately. It also offers an Inline raytracing hat that gives developers the option to drive more of the raytracing process. All this on the hardware level.
2] Variable Rate Shading
Developers can now electively vary a game’s shading rate. They can use the GPU to use its horsepower either for better visuals or better speed. So if its fast action paced scene, devs could instruct the GPU to use speed, and for a cinematic experience, ask it works on better visuals. The overall result is increased frame rates.
3] Mesh Shaders
This feature offers gamers more programmability power. They can now build more detailed and dynamic worlds thanks to the availability of full power of generalized GPU compute to the geometry pipeline. Instead of a single function of shade, esh shaders operate across an entire compute thread group.
Rather than a single function that shades one vertex or one primitive, mesh shaders operate across an entire compute thread group, with access to group shared memory and advanced compute features such as cross-lane wave intrinsics that provide even more fine-grained control over actual hardware execution
4] Sampler Feedback
It enables developers to load in textures when needed. So when the camera movies swiftly through the scenes, some objects look out of position. Sampler feedback will make sure to offer better visual quality, shorter load time, and less stuttering.
Which graphics card will get to use the DirectX 12 Ultimate?
NVIDIA has officially shared that the GeForce RTX series will be the first to experience this.
AMD RDNA 2 is also ready, which is AMD’s upcoming gaming architecture.
Tools and Requirement for DirectX 12 Ultimate
Microsoft has shared complete details of the tools, and the minimum requirements to develop using DirectX 12 Ultimate. It includes OS, Visual Studio, Windows Insider Preview SDK, Drivers and hardware, PIX (DirectX 12 debugger), and more.
Read more details about it on the official dev blog.
