AMD Launches FidelityFX SDK 1.1.3 on GPUOpen with New Enhancements and Updates

AMD has rolled out the latest FidelityFX SDK, version 1.1.3, packed with new updates and solutions aimed at improving game development. The update notably addresses several lingering issues from the previous FSR 3.1.1/2 versions, making life easier for developers by fixing bugs and introducing some handy new features.

AMD FidelityFX SDK 1.1.3: What’s New?

In a bid to streamline complex processes, AMD’s release of FidelityFX SDK 1.1.3 on GPUOpen is a welcome change for game developers. This update includes numerous optimizations and enhancements that make the toolkit more efficient and easier to blend into game development workflows. The spotlight this time is on improvements for both Vulkan and DirectX 12, alongside increased support for the Microsoft Game Development Kit used in Xbox consoles and desktop platforms. Let’s dive into some of the essential changes brought by this version.

Frame Interpolation Backend Enhancements

The update features substantial cleanups and optimizations within the Frame Interpolation Backend. This translates to better performance and more robust interpolation algorithms, offering smoother frame transitions, particularly in games leveraging the FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 technology.

Vulkan-Specific Upgrades

AMD has made several tweaks specifically for Vulkan. These include changes to the Letterbox configuration, elimination of Vulkan binding shifts, VRAM querying, and adjustments in Queue Selection and Behavior. These tweaks focus on pipeline handling, shaders compilation, VRAM management, and GPU queue selection, all critical for rendering efficiency.

GAME_MOTION_VECTOR_FIELD Passthrough Fixes

Improper sampling of the Backbuffer in certain motion vector calculations had been causing rendering artifacts. This update addresses those issues, ensuring clearer visuals.

Framework Enhancements

Beyond stability improvements, the SDK introduces support for Typeless formats in DX12/GDK. Separating Backbuffer and Hudless Formats allows developers to render HUD elements independently from the main backbuffer, enhancing visual clarity.

Debugging and Performance Tuning

The addition of more debug lines assists in pacing tests, crucial for analyzing and fine-tuning frame intervals. Frame Pacing Tunings have been exposed, offering precise control over frame synchronization.

Bug Fixes and Resolutions

This update rounds up with minor bug fixes, such as correcting typos and addressing inconsistencies. An annoying deadlock issue in the ‘UpdateTileMappings()’ function, which had been causing rendering freezes, has been resolved. Unused distortion texture channels have been eliminated to cut down unnecessary resource usage.

The most noteworthy aspect of this release is the introduction of FSR 3.1.3. This version comes packed with multiple upgrades over its predecessor, including fixes for previous issues. It also features an optional hybrid spin lock pacing, providing better frame synchronization control. Moreover, the updates to the AMDFidelityFX_FSR3Frameinterpolation GDK sample now offer native FSR 3.1.3 support for Microsoft’s Xbox and desktop platforms, broadening the toolset for developers working within these environments.