NVIDIA KICKSTART RT SDK
The Kickstart RT SDK enables developers to get more realistic dynamic lighting into their game engines in a much shorter timespan than traditional methods. It is a cross-API, cross platform solution that brings real-time ray-traced reflections, shadows, ambient occlusion and global illumination to game engines.
This scene highlights ray-traced global illumination, ambient occlusion and shadows; all enabled through Kickstart RT.
Benefits of Kickstart RT
Faster Integration Time
Kickstart RT forgoes traditional Direct3D 12 API requirements and invasive changes to existing material systems.
One Stop Shop
The SDK enables real-time ray-traced reflections, shadows, ambient occlusion and global illumination under one umbrella.
Runs Everywhere
This is a cross-API and cross-platform solution that provides APIs via Direct3D11, Direct3D12 and Vulkan. It can run on Windows and Linux systems.
Available Effects in Kickstart RT
Ray-Traced Global Illumination and Ambient Occlusion
Ray-traced ambient occlusion and global illumination provides the subtle indirect light that really enhances a scene. Kickstart RT allows dynamic contributions to indirect lighting by capturing those contributions to the direct lighting cache and then tracing them in the scene.
Ray-Traced Reflections
Reflections of dynamic geometry that are not on screen are one of the hallmark features of real-time ray-tracing. Kickstart RT can trace against the persistent direct lighting cache to render ray-traced reflections (including transparency) and increase the dynamic immersion of a scene. All without the need to prepare and bind a list of materials to trace against!
Ray-Traced Shadows
Ray-traced shadows provide higher fidelity compared to traditional shadow mapping techniques. We cast rays across a scene to realistically account for characters, objects and foliage that block light, resulting in lifelike dynamic shadows.
See the Latest NVIDIA Ray Tracing News
Optimize Your Ray Tracing Graphics with the New NVIDIA RTX Branch of Unreal Engine 5
This feature-rich branch is fully compatible with Unreal Engine 5, and contains all of the latest developments from NVIDIA in the world of ray tracing.
Raising the Bar for Path-Traced Rendering in Unreal Engine 5: Q&A with 3D Artist Daniel Martinger
3D Artist Daniel Martinger discusses how he captured the attention of the computer graphics world with a path-traced rendered scene using an NVIDIA RTX 3090 and Unreal Engine 5.
Shaping the Future of Graphics with NVIDIA Technologies in Unreal Engine 5
With the launch of Unreal Engine 5, NVIDIA announces support with key RTX technologies for developers to propel their games and experiences to the next level.
Ray Tracing Updates Available through NVIDIA SDKs and the NVIDIA Branch of Unreal Engine
Developers can access the latest versions of RTXGI, RTXDI, NRD, and OptiX through our SDKs and select technologies through the NVIDIA Branch of Unreal Engine.
