DXVK
Graphics API translation layer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DXVK is an open-source translation layer which converts Direct3D 8/9/10/11 calls to Vulkan.[1][2][3][4] It is used by Proton/Steam[5] for Linux, by Intel Windows drivers,[6][7][8] VirtualBox 7.x,[9] and it can be used to run Direct3D-based games under Windows using Vulkan. DXVK has been confirmed to support over 80% of Direct3D Windows games "near flawlessly".[10][11][12]
| DXVK | |
|---|---|
| Original author | Philip "doitsujin" Rebohle |
| Developer | DXVK Project |
| Initial release | 14 January 2018 |
| Stable release | 2.7.1
/ 30 August 2025 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | OS Independent |
| Platform | x86, x86-64 |
| License | zlib License |
| Website | github |
| Repository | DXVK on GitHub |
History
DXVK was first developed by Philip "doitsujin" Rebohle to support Direct3D 11 games only[13] driven by frustration over poor compatibility and low performance of Wine's Direct3D 11 to OpenGL translation layer.
In 2018, the developer was sponsored by Valve to work on the project full-time in order to advance compatibility of the Linux version of Steam with Windows games.[13][14]
In 2019, DXVK received Direct3D 9 support by merging with d9vk.[15][16]
In November 2022, version 2.0 was released, introducing improvements to Direct3D 9 memory management, shader compilation, state cache, and support for Direct3D 11 feature level 12_1.[17][18] Vulkan 1.3 support is now required.[19]
Released on January 24, 2023, version 2.1 implemented HDR support and improved quality for certain old games.[4][20]
Released on May 12, 2023, version 2.2 added D3D11On12[21][22] support.[23][24][25]
Released on July 10, 2024, version 2.4 added support for Direct3D 8.[26][27]
Released on November 11, 2024, version 2.5 features an overhauled memory and resource management which resulted in VRAM savings up to 1 GB in certain games. Direct3D 8 and 9 received support for software cursor.[28]
Forks
D7VK is a DXVK fork that uses its D3D9 back-end to implement support for Direct3D 5, 6 and 7.[29] It does not support games making use of the legacy D3D3 rendering pipeline which use execute buffers. The project does not expect to be upstreamed or merged with the parent.