Summary
NVIDIA has announced the release of Nsight Graphics 2018.6, a powerful tool for debugging, profiling, and exporting frames built with various graphics APIs. This update includes full support for Linux, revamped user documentation, and added support for Windows Redstone 5 API and 15 new Vulkan extensions. Here, we explore the key features and improvements of Nsight Graphics 2018.6.
Nsight Graphics 2018.6: A Comprehensive Update
Nsight Graphics 2018.6 is a standalone developer tool designed to help developers debug, profile, and export frames built with Direct3D (11, 12, DXR), Vulkan (1.1, NVX Vulkan Raytracing Extension), OpenGL, OpenVR, and the Oculus SDK. This release marks a significant milestone with several key updates:
Full Linux Support
Nsight Graphics for Linux has been promoted from beta to full release, supporting Vulkan and OpenGL 4.5 Core Profile on Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04. This means developers can now leverage the full capabilities of Nsight Graphics on Linux platforms.
Revamped User Documentation
The user documentation has been thoroughly revamped, featuring a new structure, new content, and a troubleshooting section. This includes an Activities section that helps users understand which activity to choose and what tasks they can accomplish within each activity.
Windows Redstone 5 API Support
Nsight Graphics 2018.6 includes full support for the new Windows 10 release – Redstone 5 (RS5). This support includes changes to the DirectX12 interfaces and support for the latest DirectX Raytracing (DXR) API in the Frame Debugging and GPU Trace activities.
15 New Vulkan Extensions
This release adds support for 15 new Vulkan extensions, including VK_NV_shading_rate_image and VK_NVX_raytracing. Applications using these extensions can now be debugged in the Frame Debugger activity and serialized to a C++ Capture.
Performance Improvements
Beyond these additions, Nsight Graphics 2018.6 has dramatically improved performance in certain applications. For example, Vulkan Capture overhead has been reduced by up to 15% for some applications.
Troubleshooting Enhancements
The troubleshooting section in the user documentation has been expanded, offering actionable steps to troubleshoot common issues. This includes detailed information on how to handle unknown objects detected during API calls.
Key Features at a Glance
- Full Linux Support: Nsight Graphics for Linux is now out of beta, supporting Vulkan and OpenGL 4.5 Core Profile on Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04.
- Revamped User Documentation: New structure, new content, and a troubleshooting section.
- Windows Redstone 5 API Support: Full support for Windows 10 RS5, including DirectX12 and DXR API.
- 15 New Vulkan Extensions: Support for additional Vulkan extensions like VK_NV_shading_rate_image and VK_NVX_raytracing.
- Performance Improvements: Reduced Vulkan Capture overhead and improved performance in certain applications.
Table: Supported Platforms and APIs
| Platform | API Support |
|---|---|
| Linux | Vulkan, OpenGL 4.5 Core Profile on Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04 |
| Windows | DirectX12, DXR, Vulkan (1.1, NVX Vulkan Raytracing Extension), OpenGL, OpenVR, Oculus SDK |
Table: Key Features and Improvements
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Linux Support | Nsight Graphics for Linux is now out of beta. |
| Revamped User Documentation | New structure, new content, and a troubleshooting section. |
| Windows Redstone 5 API Support | Full support for Windows 10 RS5, including DirectX12 and DXR API. |
| 15 New Vulkan Extensions | Support for additional Vulkan extensions. |
| Performance Improvements | Reduced Vulkan Capture overhead and improved performance in certain applications. |
Table: Troubleshooting Tips
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unknown Object Detected | Check the troubleshooting section in the user documentation for actionable steps. |
| API Compatibility Issues | Ensure that your application is using supported APIs and extensions. |
| Performance Issues | Review the performance improvements section for tips on optimizing your application. |
Conclusion
Nsight Graphics 2018.6 is a significant update that enhances the tool’s capabilities and usability. With full Linux support, revamped user documentation, and added support for Windows Redstone 5 API and 15 new Vulkan extensions, developers have more resources than ever to debug, profile, and export frames efficiently. Whether you’re working on Linux or Windows, Nsight Graphics 2018.6 is a powerful tool that can help you optimize your graphics applications.