DirectX Raytracing 1.2 Unveiled: Microsoft’s Latest Advances
- Microsoft showcases advancements in ray tracing, shader technology, adn neural rendering.
- At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, Microsoft presented updates to it's DirectX toolchain.
- Version 1.2 introduces OPACITY micromaps (OMM) and Shader Execution Reordering (Ser).
DirectX Updates Unveiled at GDC 2025
Table of Contents
- DirectX Updates Unveiled at GDC 2025
- directx Updates Unveiled at GDC 2025
- What are the key DirectX Updates Announced at GDC 2025?
- What is DirectX Raytracing 1.2 (DXR 1.2)?
- How Does Shader Model 6.9 with “Cooperative Vector” Capabilities Work?
- What is Neural Rendering, and How is it being integrated into DirectX?
- What is the Industry Support for These New directx Features?
- What is Warp, and how does it relate to the DirectX Updates?
- When Will These New DirectX Technologies Be Available?
- Performance improvements: A Summary
- Looking Ahead
Microsoft showcases advancements in ray tracing, shader technology, adn neural rendering.
At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, Microsoft presented updates to it’s DirectX toolchain. Key features include DirectX Raytracing 1.2 (DXR 1.2), Shader Model 6.9 with “Cooperative Vector” capabilities, and advancements in neural rendering technologies. These technologies are designed to be implemented across a broad range of hardware in collaboration with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. The presentation focused on technical feasibility and potential benefits.
DXR 1.2: Streamlining Ray Tracing
Version 1.2 introduces OPACITY micromaps (OMM) and Shader Execution Reordering (Ser). OMM aims to improve the efficiency of rendering alpha-tested geometry by providing a more granular description of texture openness, reducing unneeded shader calls. Microsoft reports this can lead to up to a 2.3x performance increase in path-traced scenes. Ser dynamically re-sorts shader designs to minimize divergence within the GPU pipeline,increasing parallelization and improving compute unit utilization. This can potentially double performance, depending on the scene complexity.
Nvidia has reportedly included both features in their drivers. AMD,Intel,and Qualcomm are working on integration.
Cooperative Vectors: Shader Model 6.9
The “Cooperative Vector” concept within Shader Model 6.9 enables hardware-accelerated vector and matrix operations thru new GPU engines. Microsoft anticipates this will allow for deeper integration of AI-supported rendering directly into the graphics pipeline. Intel demonstrated a 10x acceleration using neuronal compression procedures, specifically neural block texture compression, which aims to provide comparable image quality with reduced storage requirements. This is particularly beneficial for mobile GPUs and APU-based systems where bandwidth is often a limiting factor.
Industry Support
NVIDIA is providing a developer tool with the Neural Shading SDK that is DirectX-compatible and supports cooperative vectors. AMD and Intel have signaled their support for Neural Rendering,but concrete software solutions are still in development.Implementation will require advancements in drivers, middleware, and engines.
Warp Update
Microsoft has updated Warp (Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform),its CPU-based rendering solution. Warp serves as a reference platform for DX12 Ultimate and will support ray tracing, mesh shaders, and work graphs without relying on a GPU.This provides developers with a troubleshooting option and a solution for systems with defective hardware.
Availability
The new technologies will be available in the preview Agility SDK starting in late April 2025. Microsoft’s debugging and profiling tools (PIX) will also receive updates to fully support DXR 1.2. Tech demos, including a revised version of Alan Wake 2, showcased the performance benefits of SER and OMM.
Looking Ahead
DirectX Raytracing 1.2 introduces approaches to enhance the efficiency and practicality of ray tracing and AI-supported rendering. However, widespread availability is expected to take time, requiring driver updates and adoption by game developers.
directx Updates Unveiled at GDC 2025
Microsoft showcased significant advancements in its DirectX toolchain at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025. These updates are designed to enhance ray tracing performance, introduce new shader technologies, and integrate neural rendering into the graphics pipeline.
What are the key DirectX Updates Announced at GDC 2025?
At GDC 2025, Microsoft announced several key updates to DirectX, including:
DirectX Raytracing 1.2 (DXR 1.2): This update focuses on streamlining ray tracing through new features like OPACITY micromaps (OMM) and shader Execution Reordering (SER).
Shader Model 6.9 with “Cooperative Vector” Capabilities: This new shader model enables hardware-accelerated vector and matrix operations, facilitating deeper integration of AI-supported rendering.
Advancements in Neural Rendering Technologies: These advancements aim to improve performance and image quality through AI-driven techniques.
What is DirectX Raytracing 1.2 (DXR 1.2)?
DXR 1.2 is the latest iteration of DirectX raytracing, co-developed with NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. It aims to improve the efficiency and practicality of ray tracing through two primary features:
OPACITY Micromaps (OMM): OMM improves the efficiency of rendering alpha-tested geometry.This feature provides a more granular description of texture openness,reducing unnecessary shader calls. Microsoft reports potential performance increases of up to 2.3x in path-traced scenes.
Shader Execution Reordering (SER): SER dynamically re-sorts shader designs to minimize divergence within the GPU pipeline. This approach increases parallelization and improves compute unit utilization, possibly doubling performance depending on scene complexity.
How Does Shader Model 6.9 with “Cooperative Vector” Capabilities Work?
Shader Model 6.9 introduces the “Cooperative vector” concept, enabling hardware-accelerated vector and matrix operations through new GPU engines. This allows for: This allows for:
deeper AI integration: Facilitates deeper integration of AI-supported rendering directly into the graphics pipeline.
Performance Boosts: Intel demonstrated a 10x acceleration using neural compression procedures.
Benefits for Mobile and APU Systems: Particularly beneficial for mobile GPUs and APU-based systems due to reduced storage requirements and bandwidth usage.
What is Neural Rendering, and How is it being integrated into DirectX?
Neural rendering utilizes AI and machine learning to improve the appearance and efficiency of graphically rendered scenes. Advances include:
Neural Block Texture Compression: Aims to provide comparable image quality with reduced storage requirements which is crucial for mobile platforms.
Cooperative Vectors: Shader Model 6.9 facilitates deeper integration of AI-supported rendering.
What is the Industry Support for These New directx Features?
Industry support is crucial for the successful adoption of these new technologies:
NVIDIA: Included OMM and SER in their drivers and provides a developer tool with the Neural Shading SDK that is DirectX-compatible and supports cooperative vectors.
AMD and Intel: Have signaled their support for Neural Rendering, but concrete software solutions are still in development.
* Qualcomm: Working on integration of DXR 1.2 features.
Widespread implementation will require advancements in drivers, middleware, and game engines.
What is Warp, and how does it relate to the DirectX Updates?
Microsoft has updated Warp (Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform), its CPU-based rendering solution. Warp servers as a reference platform for DX12 Ultimate and will support ray tracing, mesh shaders, and work graphs without relying on a GPU. This provides developers with a troubleshooting option and a solution for systems with defective hardware.
When Will These New DirectX Technologies Be Available?
The new technologies will be available in the preview Agility SDK starting in late April 2025. Microsoft’s debugging and profiling tools (PIX) will also receive updates to fully support DXR 1.2.
Performance improvements: A Summary
| Feature | Description | Potential benefit |
| —————————- | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— | ——————————————————— |
| Opacity Micromaps (OMM) | Improves efficiency of rendering alpha-tested geometry by providing a more granular description of texture openness, reducing unnecessary shader calls. | Up to 2.3x performance increase in path-traced scenes |
| Shader Execution Reordering (SER) | Dynamically re-sorts shader designs to minimize divergence within the GPU pipeline,increasing parallelization and improving compute unit utilization. | Potential doubling of performance, depending on scene complexity |
| Cooperative Vectors (SM 6.9) | Enables hardware-accelerated vector and matrix operations, allowing for deeper integration of AI-supported rendering. Intel demonstrated a 10x acceleration using neuronal compression procedures, specifically neural block texture compression. | Increased performance and reduced storage requirements |
Looking Ahead
While DirectX Raytracing 1.2 introduces significant advancements to enhance the efficiency and practicality of ray tracing and AI-supported rendering, widespread availability is expected to take time. This will require ongoing driver updates and adoption by game developers.