The new version addresses several memory management issues within the MVKSwapchain, enhances shader specialization via macros, and implements barriers using Metal fences. Additionally, it has dropped support for the deprecated VK_NV_glsl_shader extension and the MoltenVKShaderConverter's GLSL conversions. It also resolves issues related to the AMD driver’s blit encoder timestamp sampling, and includes updates relevant to macOS 13 and Xcode 14. Logging capabilities and debug labels have been improved, and support for a broader range of tessellation I/O matching has been integrated.
To optimize performance, MVK_CONFIG_USE_MTLHEAP is now disabled by default for AMD devices. This release marks a significant step forward in enhancing the usability and functionality of the MoltenVK framework, which allows Vulkan applications to run on Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, and tvOS.
This release candidate is now available for developers to test and provide feedback, as the team continues to refine MoltenVK for future stable releases. As Vulkan technology evolves, further enhancements and optimizations are expected in subsequent updates, ensuring developers have access to cutting-edge tools for graphics and compute applications on Apple devices
MoltenVK 1.3.0 (RC1) released
The release candidate for MoltenVK 1.3 has been released for testing, featuring support for Vulkan 1.3, along with extensions and enhancements to various components of the system. The support extends to B5G6R5_UNORM_PACK16, B5G5R5A1_UNORM_PACK16, and B8G8R8A8 formats by utilizing swizzle techniques. The system has eliminated glslang as a dependency library and will no longer accept GLSL shaders as input. The system effectively tackles memory management challenges within MVKSwapchain, manages shader specialization through macros, and incorporates barriers utilizing Metal fences. The system additionally eliminates support for the deprecated VK_NV_glsl_shader extension and the GLSL conversions facilitated by MoltenVKShaderConverter. The system effectively resolves concerns related to the AMD driver's malfunctioning blit encoder timestamp sampling, along with updates pertinent to macOS 13 and Xcode 14. The system incorporates enhancements to its logging capabilities and debug labels and extends support for a wider range of tessellation I/O matching. The system effectively resolves concerns related to the AMD driver's malfunctioning blit encoder timestamp sampling and the most recent SPIRV-Cross updates.
