DLSS Vs. DLAA In UE4: Is Upscaling Possible?

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DLSS and DLAA in UE4: A Deep Dive

Hey everyone, let's dive into the fascinating world of DLSS and DLAA! We'll explore whether you can use DLSS alongside DLAA in games built with Unreal Engine 4 (UE4). This is especially interesting for folks who want to boost their graphics in older games. We'll examine the challenges and possibilities. So, let's get started!

The Quest for Upscaling: DLSS in Action

First off, big shoutout to the creator of this awesome project! It's fantastic to see DLAA working in older games. Imagine being able to crank up the visuals in classics like Vampyr and The Pathless. The quality improvement with DLAA is seriously impressive. But, what about upscaling? Can we get DLSS working in these games too? The goal is to render at a lower resolution and then upscale to a higher one. For example, rendering at 1440p and then upscaling to 4K. This is where things get interesting.

The Resolution Scale Conundrum

Many games already have internal resolution scale options. However, here’s the kicker: as soon as you adjust the resolution scale from 100%, the DLAA/DLSS magic disappears. The Nvidia DLSS overlay, which appears in the bottom-left corner of the screen, confirms this. You can see the DLSS status vanish when you start messing with the resolution scale. It's like the game says, "Hey, if you're not rendering at native resolution, no DLSS or DLAA for you!" This is a real bummer, because upscaling can provide a great balance between visual quality and performance. When you start rendering at a lower resolution and then scale it up to your monitor resolution, you can have a great balance between a higher frame rate and a crisper image.

I’ve tried a bunch of workarounds to force a lower upscaling resolution. I have used Nvidia App, OptiScaler, Nvidia Profile Inspector, DLSS Tweaks, and even engine.ini changes. Unfortunately, none of them worked. It always ends up with the same result: DLAA/DLSS gets deactivated when the resolution scale is set to anything other than 100%. This is an important detail, as it highlights a fundamental hurdle in getting upscaling to function.

Why the Challenge? The Technical Hurdles

So, why is it so tough to get DLSS upscaling to work in these older games? The answer likely lies in the way the mod or the game itself interacts with the rendering pipeline. Here are a few possible reasons:

  • Mod Limitations: The mod might be specifically designed to inject DLAA at the native resolution. It might not have been programmed to handle the complexities of rendering at a lower resolution and then upscaling. The mod’s architecture might not support the necessary hooks for DLSS upscaling.
  • Game Engine Constraints: UE4, like any game engine, has its own rendering pipeline. The game’s implementation could be tightly coupled with the native resolution. Changing the resolution scale might disrupt how the game interacts with the DLSS implementation, leading to its deactivation.
  • Compatibility Issues: Older games might not be fully compatible with the latest DLSS technologies. The implementation of DLSS in newer games is often more integrated with the engine. Older games may not have the necessary support for this integration.
  • Order of Operations: The order in which the game renders and applies effects could be critical. DLAA is often applied after the main rendering pass, at the native resolution. When you scale the resolution, the game's rendering sequence may change, interfering with the DLAA or DLSS application.

Is it Possible to Add DLSS alongside DLAA? Exploring the Future

The million-dollar question: Is it possible to add DLSS alongside DLAA in these older UE4 games? The answer is... maybe! It is a complex process. The ability to integrate DLSS upscaling alongside DLAA would depend on several factors, including the flexibility of the mod, the inner workings of the game engine, and the compatibility of the specific game. Let's break down the possibilities:

Mod Development

If the mod creator is willing and able, they could potentially add DLSS upscaling functionality. This would involve:

  • Reworking the Code: Modifying the code to hook into the rendering pipeline at a lower resolution. This would allow the mod to apply DLSS before the final upscaling stage.
  • Adding User Configuration: Including options in the mod’s settings to select the target resolution for rendering and the final output resolution. This level of customization would allow users to fine-tune their visual experience.
  • Testing and Optimization: Rigorously testing the mod to ensure it works correctly across various games and hardware configurations. Optimizing the implementation would be critical to maintaining performance.

Game-Specific Tweaks

Each game might require unique adjustments. This would involve:

  • Reverse Engineering: Analyzing the game's rendering process to understand where and how to inject DLSS. This can be time-consuming and challenging.
  • Profile Creation: Creating specific profiles for each game, tailored to its unique rendering quirks. This could be necessary to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

Engine Updates

It is also possible that future updates to UE4 or the underlying rendering technology could make DLSS integration easier. These updates could provide better tools and APIs for mod developers. However, it's worth noting that this is not a guarantee.

Potential Benefits and the Trade-Offs

If DLSS upscaling could be successfully integrated, the benefits would be significant.

  • Enhanced Performance: Players could achieve higher frame rates, making games feel smoother and more responsive.
  • Improved Visuals: Upscaling from a lower resolution could still provide a visually appealing experience, potentially improving clarity and detail compared to running at a lower native resolution.
  • Wider Accessibility: Players with less powerful hardware could enjoy games at higher resolutions without sacrificing performance. This would make the games more accessible to a wider audience.

However, there would be trade-offs.

  • Image Quality: While DLSS is very good at upscaling, there might be some loss of detail compared to native resolution. This is a crucial compromise to consider.
  • Mod Complexity: Implementing DLSS could add complexity to the mod, potentially making it more difficult to use and maintain.
  • Compatibility Issues: The mod might not work perfectly with every game or hardware setup, which can lead to troubleshooting and frustration.

Conclusion: The Future of DLSS in Older Games

So, where does this leave us? The prospect of combining DLSS upscaling with DLAA in older UE4 games is an exciting one! Although it currently faces some technical hurdles, it’s not entirely out of the question. With dedicated effort, future updates, and possible community involvement, it could become a reality. The potential benefits for both visual quality and performance are just too enticing to ignore.

For now, the best bet is to stay tuned. Keep an eye on the mod’s updates, and explore the possibilities. Also, keep the community involved. Developers are more likely to implement this feature if there is a lot of community interest. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for DLSS and DLAA in the world of older games, and to discover the possibilities of these technologies. Who knows what amazing graphical enhancements await?