In February of 2023, LunarG conducted a Vulkan Ecosystem & SDK Survey. Many Vulkan developers shared their requests for improvements. LunarG took those suggestions to heart and made many enhancements to the Vulkan ecosystem this year. We’ve prepared a report for the Vulkan developer community that summarizes our work. Read on for more information.
LunarG Releases NEW Vulkan 1.3.268.0 SDKs for Windows, Linux, & macOS
Vulkan SDK Version 1.3.268.0 Released 24 Oct 2023 Today LunarG released new Windows, Linux, and macOS SDKs for Vulkan API revision 1.3.268. Overview of New Features vk_format_utils.h is now an official SDK deliverable vk_enum_string_helper.h is now a C compatible header file To improve layer consistency, the naming of layer and layer settings of the extension layers has been refactored which may not be backward compatible with existing Vulkan developer environment setup when not using the Vulkan Configurator. Please, refer to the VK_LAYER_KHRONOS_synchronization2 and VK_LAYER_KHRONOS_shader_object layer documentation to update the developer environment in case of any issue. The Vulkan Configurator (vkconfig) has been updated to improve quality and stability. The Vulkan headers now include the following new extensions. Note that extensions are optional and may not be implemented by the underlying driver/ICD. Applications can now query for the presence of these new features. VK_EXT_nested_command_buffer VK_NV_extended_sparse_address_space VK_ANDROID_external_format_resolve VK_NV_low_latency2 VK_EXT_frame_boundary VK_MSFT_layered_driver (support not yet in Vulkan Loader) VK_NV_descriptor_pool_overallocation VK_QCOM_filter_cubic_clamp VK_QCOM_filter_cubic_weights VK_QCOM_image_processing2 VK_QCOM_ycbcr_degamma Improved validation coverage. VUID validation coverage documentation (validation_error_database.csv and validation_error_database.html) has been updated to represent the validation layer VUID coverage status. For the macOS SDK only: Updated to MoltenVK version 1.2.6 New Added Extensions in MoltenVK: VK_KHR_synchronization2 VK_EXT_extended_dynamic_state (requires Metal 3.1 for VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VERTEX_INPUT_BINDING_STRIDE) VK_EXT_extended_dynamic_state2 For The Windows SDK only: Debug versions of the DXC and VOLK libraries have been included in the SDK (dxcompilerd.dll, dxcompilerd.lib, volkd.lib) Release Notes (for more detailed information): Release Notes for Linux Release Notes for Windows Release Notes for macOS More Information about LunarG LunarG software engineering experts create innovative products and services for open-source and commercial customers using leading-edge 3D graphics and compute technologies, including Vulkan, SPIR-V, OpenXR, and OpenGL. We have strengths in performance analysis and tuning, runtime and tools development, shader optimizations, driver development, and porting engines and applications to Vulkan. Please check out our LunarG, please check out our website. Go to the Vulkan SDK Download site to get the new SDKs
A Guide to GFXReconstruct on Android
Mark Young of LunarG presents a “how to” guide (with examples) for using GFXReconstruct on Android. Click Here to View the Paper (HTML)
LunarG Releases NEW Vulkan 1.3.261.0 SDKs for Windows, Linux, & macOS
Vulkan SDK Version 1.3.261.0 Released August 22, 2023 Today LunarG released a new SDK for Windows, Linux, & macOS that supports Vulkan API revision 1.3.261. Overview of new features in SDK 1.3.261.0 The VK_LAYER_KHRONOS_shader_object emulation layer is no longer in beta status.The transition to full support for Apple Silicon progresses with the addition of the Vulkan Configurator and the Vulkan Hardware Capability Viewer – now also being universal binaries. Only the installer and maintenance tool requires Rosetta on Apple Silicon hardware at this time. All other components of the SDK are universal binaries.The Vulkan Configurator (vkconfig) has been updated to improve quality and stability.The Vulkan headers now include the following new extensions. Applications can now query for the presence of these new optional features: VK_KHR_maintenance5 VK_AMDX_shader_enqueue VK_EXT_host_image_copy VK_NV_device_generated_commands VK_KHR_cooperative_matrix VK_EXT_depth_bias_control VK_QNX_external_memory_screen_buffer VK_EXT_external_memory_acquire_unmodified VK_EXT_dynamic_rendering_unused_attachments Improved validation coverage. The VUID validation coverage documentation has been updated to represent the validation layer VUID coverage status.Please Note The Linux SDK had become very large in size. As a result, the compression method has changed from gzip to xz. The SDK for macOS supports the MoltenVK subset (currently version 1.2.5). Read the release notes for more information about the new features Release Notes for Linux Release Notes for Windows Release Notes for macOS More Information about LunarG LunarG software engineering experts create innovative products and services for open-source and commercial customers using leading-edge 3D graphics and compute technologies, including Vulkan, SPIR-V, OpenXR, and OpenGL. We have strengths in performance analysis and tuning, runtime and tools development, shader optimizations, driver development, and porting engines and applications to Vulkan. For more information about LunarG, please check out our website. Go to the Vulkan SDK Download site to get the new SDKs
Vulkan SDK and Ecosystem Tools (SIGGRAPH 2023)
Karen Ghavam of LunarG will present Vulkan SDK and Ecosystem Tools at SIGGRAPH 2023 on August 9th at the JW Marriott LA, Platinum Salon D from 3:00 – 6:00 pm PDT. Download the Presentation Here View the Khronos BoF Video of the Presentation on YouTube
Vulkan Development in Apple Environments (SIGGRAPH 2023)
Richard Wright of LunarG will present Vulkan Development in Apple Environments at SIGGRAPH 2023 on August 9th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Room 518 from 9:00 – 10:30 am PDT. Download the Presentation Here View the Video of the Presentation
Capture & Replay with Vulkan & DX12: GFXReconstruct (SIGGRAPH 2023)
Brad Grantham of LunarG will present Capture & Replay with Vulkan & DX12: GFXReconstruct at SIGGRAPH 2023 on August 7th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Room 518 at 3:00 – 4:30 pm. Download the Presentation Here
LunarG Releases Vulkan 1.3.250.0 SDKs With New Extensions
Today LunarG released new Windows, Linux, and macOS SDKs for Vulkan header 1.3.250 that include the VK_LAYER_KHRONOS_shader_object emulation layer in beta mode and new extensions. Read the release notes for more information about the new features listed below. Release Notes for Linux Release Notes for Windows Release Notes for macOS Overview of New Features The VK_LAYER_KHRONOS_shader_object emulation layer is considered in beta mode until a full-quality audit is completed and more community feedback has been collected and addressed. It is being included with the SDK to enable broader usage of the layer for increased feedback vkconfig is able to configure the VK_LAYER_KHRONOS_shader_object. Since the emulation layer is still in beta status, it is not listed as a default configuration but rather is selectable when editing a layer configuration. The Vulkan Configurator (vkconfig) has been updated to improve quality and stability. The Vulkan headers now include the following new extensions. Note that extensions are optional and may not be implemented by the underlying driver/ICD. Applications can now query for the presence of these new features. VK_EXT_attachment_feedback_loop_dynamic_state VK_KHR_ray_tracing_position_fetc VK_EXT_shader_objec VK_EXT_shader_tile_imag VK_NV_displacement_micromap VK_KHR_map_memory2 Improved validation coverage. VUID validation coverage documentation has been updated to represent the validation layer VUID coverage status. More Information about LunarG LunarG software engineering experts create innovative products and services for open-source and commercial customers using leading-edge 3D graphics and compute technologies, including Vulkan, SPIR-V, OpenXR, and OpenGL. We have strengths in performance analysis and tuning, runtime and tools development, shader optimizations, driver development, and porting engines and applications to Vulkan. For more information about LunarG, please check out our website.


