Software blogs
Looking for information about our software products?
The blogs on this page give detailed information about what’s in our new releases and updates, as well as guides on how you can use the new features.
Jump to the section you need:
Don’t forget – you can find advice on developing with AMD hardware, HPC, ML, ray tracing, Vulkan®, DirectX®, Unreal Engine, and lots more over in our technical blogs.
Featured posts
How to use the AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 (FSR 2) Unreal Engine plugin
Find out how to install and configure the AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 2 plugin for Unreal Engine 4.26/4.27 and UE5.
Introducing AMD Capsaicin Framework – our ARR Research Framework which includes our GI-1.0 sample
AMD Capsaicin Framework is a research framework for real-time graphics which we have been using to develop and test new and upcoming rendering algorithms. We are now releasing it to the public.
Radeon™ Developer Tool Suite
Our highly-acclaimed developer tool suite should be your first port of call when analyzing and optimizing your game or graphics application. Our tools engineers frequently write detailed blog posts to accompany major updates, making sure you’re able to take full advantage of the new features.
The Radeon Developer Tool Suite comprises of:
Radeon GPU Profiler, Radeon Raytracing Analyzer, Radeon Memory Visualizer, Radeon GPU Analyzer, and Radeon™ Developer Panel.
Radeon GPU Profiler (RGP)
The Radeon GPU Profiler is a ground-breaking low-level optimization tool that provides detailed information on Radeon™ GPUs.
New Work Graphs sample & RGP support for GPU Work Graphs
“D3D12SimpleClassify” shows the use of a GPU Work Graph in a simple frame-based graphics application, plus learn about new RGP support.
Radeon™ GPU Profiler 1.15 provides an enhanced ISA view experience and more
Radeon GPU Profiler v1.15 adds an enhanced user experience for GPU ISA disassembly, mesh shader event names, WMMA support, and more.
RDNA 3: Radeon GPU Profiler 1.14 introduces support for Radeon™ RX 7000 Series, HIP, and more
Radeon GPU Profiler 1.14 is here, with support for Radeon™ RX 7000 series GPUs, profiling HIP applications, and much more. Take a look!
Radeon™ GPU Profiler 1.13 and Radeon Developer Panel 2.6
RGP 1.13 adds enhanced ray tracing features, such as new performance counters and inline RT. RDP 2.6 includes improved data capture.
Radeon™ GPU Profiler 1.12 features improvements to Instruction Timing
RGP 1.12 provides some significant enhancements to the Instruction Timing feature, including wavefront filtering and single-wavefront mode.
Understanding Graphs in Radeon GPU Profiler and GPUView
Find out how to read and understand graphs in Radeon GPU Profiler and GPUView in order to optimize your game more effectively.
Radeon™ GPU Profiler 1.11 released
RGP 1.11 introduces ray tracing call targets, enhancements to cache counters, and more.
Radeon™ GPU Profiler v1.10 introduces GPU cache counters, Vulkan® ray tracing, and more
This latest release adds support for GPU cache counters, Vulkan® ray tracing, the latest RDNA™ 2 GPUs, and more.
Radeon™ GPU Profiler 1.9 introduces support for Radeon™ RX 6000 Series
The latest release of RGP introduces support for Radeon™ RX 6000 Series (RDNA™ 2) and DirectX® Raytracing, along with several additional new features.
Unified Radeon™ GPU Profiler and Radeon™ Memory Visualizer usage with Radeon™ Developer Panel 2.1
This tutorial explains how to take advantage of the functionality in RDP v2.1 onwards, which unifies the RMV and RGP functionality from earlier versions to provide a unified workflow.
Radeon GPU Analyzer
The Radeon GPU Analyzer is an offline compiler and performance analysis tool for DirectX®, Vulkan®, SPIR-V™, OpenGL®, and OpenCL™.
Visualizing VGPR Pressure with Radeon™ GPU Analyzer 2.6
Radeon GPU Analyzer 2.6 introduces VGPR Pressure Visualization. This post explains exactly how to get the most out of this brand-new feature.
Using Radeon™ GPU Analyzer v2.4.1 with DirectX® Raytracing
Radeon™ GPU Analyzer v2.4.1 introduces support for DXR shaders in a new mode of the command line tool.
Using the Visual Studio® Code Extension for RGA
This is a Visual Studio® Code extension for the Radeon GPU Analyzer (RGA). This extension makes it possible to use RGA directly from within VS Code.
Using Radeon™ GPU Analyzer with DirectX®12 Graphics
With DirectX 12 comes the power of generating disassembly and hardware resource usage statistics that are closest to the real-world case, and therefore making better performance optimization decisions.
Using Radeon™ GPU Analyzer with Direct3D®12 Compute
Radeon GPU Analyzer (RGA) has support for DirectX12 compute shaders with the command line tool. This mode can generate GCN/RDNA ISA disassembly for your compute shaders, regardless of the physically installed GPU.
Radeon Memory Visualizer
The Radeon Memory Visualizer allows you to gain a deep understanding of how your application uses memory for graphics resources.
Radeon™ Memory Visualizer 1.6 introduces improved device configuration info and an expanded Resource details pane
Radeon Memory Visualizer v1.6 adds improved device configuration information, and more parameters on the resource details pane.
Announcing Radeon™ Memory Visualizer support for Linux
RMV is now available on Linux. RMV and RDP officially support Ubuntu 20.04 with Linux distros requiring additional dependencies. Check it out!
Radeon™ Memory Visualizer 1.4 introduces Smart Access Memory support
Find out in this blog post how you can make all memory visible to the CPU in Radeon Memory Visualizer (RMV) v1.4 with Smart Access Memory.
Viewing DirectX® 12 Named Resources with Radeon™ Memory Visualizer 1.3
Radeon Memory Visualizer (RMV) now supports Named Resources in DirectX® 12 applications. This blog explains how you can view them in RMV.
Radeon™ Memory Visualizer v1.1 adds support for aliased resources and more
Radeon Memory Visualizer V1.1 introduces support for aliased resources, and allows selection of a resource in the memory leak finder pane.
Unified Radeon™ GPU Profiler and Radeon™ Memory Visualizer usage with Radeon™ Developer Panel 2.1
This tutorial explains how to take advantage of the functionality in RDP v2.1 onwards, which unifies the RMV and RGP functionality from earlier versions to provide a unified workflow.
Getting Started with Radeon™ Memory Visualizer (RMV)
Radeon™ Memory Visualizer (RMV) is a tool provided by AMD for use by game engine developers. It allows engineers to examine, diagnose, and understand the GPU memory management within their projects.
Radeon Raytracing Analyzer
Our brand new Radeon Raytracing Analyzer allows you to investigate the performance of your raytracing applications and highlight potential bottlenecks.
Radeon™ Raytracing Analyzer 1.2 adds ray face culling flags, ray traversal histograms, and more
Radeon Raytracing Analyzer v1.2 introduces ray face culling flags, a ray traversal histogram, a geometry list pane, and an instance mask.
RDNA 3: Read about our tool updates in Radeon Developer Tool Suite (RDTS)
Read this high level summary of our updates to RDTS for RDNA™ 3, including other new features and improvements, plus updates to GPUPerfAPI.
Learn about Radeon™ Raytracing Analyzer 1.1
The latest update for RRA includes changes to the camera system and support for split triangles and rebraided instances. Check it all out here!
Radeon™ Raytracing Analyzer source code available + meet amdrdf
Analyze the source code to RRA, and learn about amdrdf, a library for handling Radeon Data File (RDF) format, used by RRA and others.
Improving raytracing performance with the Radeon™ Raytracing Analyzer (RRA)
Optimizing the raytracing pipeline can be difficult. Discover how to spot and diagnose common RT pitfalls with RRA, and how to fix them!
Introducing our brand new tool: Radeon™ Raytracing Analyzer 1.0
We’re proud to announce Radeon Raytracing Analyzer. RRA provides the tools you need to investigate raytracing performance in your apps.
Other tools on GPUOpen
Compressonator
Compressonator is one of our oldest and widely-used tools/SDKs. It is a set of tools which allow artists and developers to more easily work with compressed assets and easily visualize the quality impact of various compression technologies.
It consists of a GUI application, a command line application, and an SDK for easy integration into a developer toolchain.
Introducing Compressonator v4.4 with AVX-512 support for BC1 Encoding
Compressonator v4.4 adds AVX-512, AVX2, and SSE4 variations of BC1 encoding in the Compressonator Core library, new CLI options, and more.
Introducing Compressonator v4.3 – Brotli-G, multi-texture mipmap generation, and more
Compressonator v4.3 is out now! v4.3 features Brotli-G lossless compression, multi-texture mipmap generation, and much more.
Brotli-G: An open-source compression/decompression standard for digital assets that is compatible with GPU hardware
Get the details on Brotli-G, including the modifications we made to Brotli, and how you can use it via our new SDK and Compressonator.
Compressonator 4.2 – Features update for BC1 and BC7 codecs, and more
Compressonator v4.2 brings improvements for BC1 and BC7 codecs, plus API, SDK, and CMake updates.
Compressonator 4.1 – SNORM support for BC4/BC5, MIP map filter support, and more
Compressonator v4.1 adds SNORM support for BC4 and BC5, MIP map filter support using either GPU or CPU, GPU-based compression and MIP map generation, and much more.
RenderDoc 1.8 has Compressonator support
When associated with DDS files, RenderDoc generates thumbnails for DDS formats and displays them in Windows Explorer. Compressonator Core provides functions for compressing and decompressing DDS files.
Compressonator 4.0 – Utilize the Power of GPU-based Encoding
The Windows version of Compressonator 4.0 supports GPU encoding with DirectX® Compute (DXC) or OpenCL™ (OCL) shaders.
Announcing Compressonator 3.2
The latest version of Compressonator is now available, featuring new BCn codec kernels, framework interfaces, cube maps, and more.
New Compressonator 3.1 SDK for seamless integration into asset toolchains – and more!
This version contains several new features and optimizations, including new installers for the SDK, CLI and GUI tool, new batch compress support, improvements to Compressonator’s BC6H and ETC2 support, a new glTF model previewer, and more.
Compressonator V3.0 release brings powerful new 3D model features
Compressonator is a set of tools that allows artists and developers to work easily with compressed assets and easily visualize the quality impact of various compression technologies.
Compressonator V2.7 Release adds cross platform support and 3D Model compression with glTF v2.0
Information about the new features and optimizations in Compressonator v2.7.
Compressonator V2.6 release adds HDR tonemapping compression, new image analysis features
Information on the new features of Compressonator v2.6.
SDKs
We have many, many SDKs on GPUOpen, as you’d probably expect! While you’ll find blogs on some of them grouped elsewhere on this page, here’s some of the more recent ones.
AMF v1.4.30 introduces wrappers for AVC/HEVC/AV1 FFmpeg software encoders, and more!
AMF v1.4.30 provides AMF wrappers for AVC/HEVC/AV1 FFmpeg software encoders, and frame in -> slice/tile output support for the same. Plus multi-monitor support for DVR + more!
Introducing AMD Capsaicin Framework – our ARR Research Framework which includes our GI-1.0 sample
AMD Capsaicin Framework is a research framework for real-time graphics which we have been using to develop and test new and upcoming rendering algorithms. We are now releasing it to the public.
AMD GPU Services (AGS) 6.1 is now available
AMD GPU Services (AGS) 6.1 is now available, adding RDNA 3 GPU support, VS2022 versions of the static libs, and a new sample showing you how to use AGS extensions from DX12.
AMF v1.4.29 introduces Smart Access Video for decoder & AVC/HEVC/AV1 encoders, and more
This latest version of Advanced Media Framework SDK also provides new options for VQEnhancer and AV1 encoder components, and Markdown docs.
RDNA 3: Introducing ADLX: The Next Evolution in Software Enablement
ADLX is a modern library and SDK designed to access features and functionality of AMD systems in the categories of Display, 3D graphics, and more.
AMF v1.4.26 introduces powerful new modes for PreAnalysis
New PreAnalysis modes include perceptual adaptive quantization, temporal adaptive quantization, and high motion quality boost. And there’s more!
The latest Vulkan SDK now ships with Vulkan Memory Allocator (VMA)
VMA appears as an optional component that can be selected in the Vulkan SDK 1.3.216.0 installer.
Announcing Vulkan Memory Allocator 3.0.0 and Direct3D 12 Memory Allocator 2.0.0
Find out more about the latest releases of VMA and D3DMA – our easy-to-integrate memory allocation libraries for Vulkan® and Direct3D® 12.
Announcing AMD support for DirectStorage launch
AMD is proud to announce our support of Microsoft® and its release of DirectStorage. The DirectStorage SDK is now available for download.
AMF v1.4.23 out now, with a new Auto LTR encoder mode, and more
AMF v1.4.23 brings you a new Auto LTR encoder mode, plus additional encoder usage presets and encoder statistics/feedback.
More UE4.26 feature patch updates – AMF, chroma keying, and 360 video stitching
More feature patch updates available for UE4.26: Advanced Media Framework (AMF), chroma keying, and 360 video stitching.
AMD Display Library (ADL) v15.0 out now
ADL is designed to access low-level display driver functionality. v15.0 provides new APIs, new samples, improvements to layout and documentation, and more.
GPUPerfAPI v3.7 includes Radeon™ RX 6000 support and new raytracing counters
GPUPerfAPI v3.7 brings support for Radeon™ RX 6000 series GPUs, new raytracing counters for DirectX® Raytracing, a new scalar and instruction cache counter, and new raytracing High-Frequency counters in Microsoft® PIX2.
AGS 5.4.1 now available
AGS v5.4.1 now out, which includes GetWaveSize intrinsics as well as BaseInstance and BaseVertex for indirect drawing.
Introducing Radeon™ Memory Visualizer
Appreciate your allocations. Obliterate your oversubscription. And make good those memory leaks. Show your video memory some love, with Radeon™ Memory Visualizer.
Vulkan Memory Allocator 2.3.0
The latest Vulkan Memory Allocator v2.3.0 adds support for Vulkan 1.1, support for query for memory budget, and support for VK_KHR_bind_memory2 extension.
Render Pipeline Shaders
We’ve recently developed a new framework for graphics engines to use Render Graphs with explicit APIs (e.g. DirectX12 or Vulkan), with a generally optimal resource barrier and memory aliasing scheduler. The compiler-like architecture of Render Pipeline Shaders (RPS) is designed to be both controllable and extensible.
Render Pipeline Shaders 1.1 is now available with Linux support and other improvements
The latest release of the Render Pipeline Shaders (RPS) SDK adds Linux support, the ability to dynamically load Vulkan functions, and more. Check out this post for the full release notes.
RPS SDK Tutorial
This tutorial demonstrates key RPS SDK API usage, provides an informal introduction to RPSL, and explains how the RPS Render Graph is built.
Effects
AMD FidelityFX SDK
The AMD FidelityFX SDK is a collection of heavily optimized, open source technologies (shader and runtime code) that can be used by developers to improve their DirectX®12 or Vulkan® applications.
We’re excited to provide full documentation for ALL our AMD FidelityFX SDK technologies here on GPUOpen!
We’ve also written some excellent guides, published here on GPUOpen, on how to use some of our effects, and we’ve there’s some guest blogs too!
Guest blog by EBB Software: Integrating FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 (FSR 2) into Scorn
In this guest post by EBB Software, learn how they integrated our FSR 2.1 plugin for Unreal Engine into their first title: Scorn
FSR 2 UE plugin enhancements part 1: Intro & improving foliage appearance using the base pass
Discover one of several ways to improve upscaled foliage appearance in the first of this five part blog series on getting the most out of our FSR 2.1 Unreal Engine plugin.
Integrating VRS in The Riftbreaker
EXOR Studios and AMD have collaborated to add Variable Rate Shading in The Riftbreaker. Read this guest blog to find out more!
TressFX 5.0 arrives as a patch for Unreal Engine
UE4 TressFX 5.0 has been designed to build upon the many features of UE4 TressFX 4.1, while being much easier to use. Find out what’s new!
How to use AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 1.0 Unreal Engine 4 Plugin
Find out how to install and configure the AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 1.0 plugin for Unreal Engine 4.
FidelityFX-CLI – Testing FSR and FidelityFX CAS at the command-line
FidelityFX-CLI is a command-line Windows® program to test FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 1.0 and Contrast Adaptive Sharpening (CAS) on image files.
Integrating AMD FidelityFX into the Ego Engine
Tom Hammersley from Codemasters talks about integrating FidelityFX into the Ego Engine and implementing Contrast Adaptive Sharpening (CAS).
Radeon ProRender and HIP
Our engineers who work on Radeon ProRender and related areas regularly keep you updated on their latest developments.
HIP Ray Tracing 2.0 introduces improved custom function handling, bitcode linking, and more
HIPRT-v2 is now available for download! This post covers some of the most exciting features and optimizations.
Radeon™ ProRender SDK 3.1.0 introduces bevel shader support, light linking, and much more
We are happy to announce Radeon™ ProRender SDK 3.1.0 is finally available, so let’s take a look at the latest updates and improvements.
Latest updates to Radeon™ ProRender plug-ins
Find out more about all our updates to the Radeon ProRender plug-ins, including new fog and shadow settings for ProRender in Blender and Maya.
Introducing HIP RT – a ray tracing library in HIP
HIP RT is a new ray tracing library for HIP. It makes it easy to write a ray tracing app using HIP. Check out this page for more information.
Introducing Orochi – dynamic loading of HIP/CUDA® from a single binary
Orochi is a library that loads HIP and CUDA driver APIs dynamically at runtime, eliminating the overhead of maintaining separate backends.
Primitive variables, flexible ramp node, beta support for HIP in Radeon™ ProRender SDK 2.02.11
The latest release of the ProRender SDK introduces support for primitive variables, enhanced Cryptomatte AOVs, AMD’s HIP API, and much more.
New renderer backend and more in the updated Radeon™ ProRender SDK 2.02.10
Introducing a new renderer backend and support for simpler volumes, cutting planes, and artistic control of shadow color. Also, new SDK tutorials are now available.
Introducing Radeon™ ProRender SDK 2.02.6
Introducing support for Apple M1, heterogeneous volume, and deepEXR. Plus improved CPU rendering, and toon contour rendering.
AMD USD™ Hydra™ plug-in for Blender®
Find out about our exciting new plug-in for Blender®, which uses the power of Open Standards to enable you to reference and assemble USD™, and use MaterialX.
New Radeon™ ProRender plug-in updates
Our Blender® add-on, Autodesk® Maya® plug-in, and the SideFX® Houdini™ (USD) plug-in now incorporate the latest Radeon™ ProRender SDK.
Updated Radeon ProRender 2 SDK now available with many new features
Read about Cryptomatte support, light group AOVs, deformation motion blur, homogeneous volume support, and our toon material in Radeon™ ProRender.
Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing in AMD Radeon™ ProRender 2.0
With specific hardware acceleration features implemented, content creators can accelerate their rendering using AMD Radeon™ RX 6000 Series graphics cards with Radeon™ ProRender 2.0.
Searchable table for all our software blogs
Looking for a searchable table of all our software blog posts? Well, you just found it!
We have lots more documentation for you to discover!
Don’t miss our manual documentation! And if slide decks are what you’re after, you’ll find 100+ of our finest presentations here.
Browse our technical blogs, and find valuable advice on developing with AMD hardware, ray tracing, Vulkan®, DirectX®, Unreal Engine, and lots more.
Browse all our useful samples. Perfect for when you’re needing to get started, want to integrate one of our libraries, and much more.
Words not enough? How about pictures? How about moving pictures? We have some amazing videos to share with you!
The home of great performance and optimization advice for AMD RDNA™ 2 GPUs, AMD Ryzen™ CPUs, and so much more.
Discover our published publications.
