Wrappers
A wrapper is a common name for a compatibility/translation layer that translates from one graphics API to another. This can be used to run software on systems they were not designed for. Such as running old PC games made for 3Dfx Glide graphics card on modern Windows 10 systems, or running modern Windows-only DirectX 11 games on Linux.
Contents
90's APIs
Name | Operating System(s) | Latest Version | Translates | Into | Active | Recommended |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
nGlide | Windows | 2.10 | Glide | Vulkan, Direct3D 9 | ✓ | ✓ |
dgVoodoo 2 | Windows | 2.62.3 | Glide, DirectX 1-9 | Direct3D 11 | ✓ | ✓ |
Wine DirectX | Windows, Linux, macOS | 9.0 (Linux, macOS) 9.11 Windows |
DirectX 1-11 | OpenGL | ✓ | ✓ |
DXGL | Windows | 0.5.17 | DirectX 1-7 | OpenGL | ✓ | ✗ WIP |
Glidos | Windows | 1.53b | Glide (DOS) | ? | ✗ | ? |
OpenGlide | Windows | 0.09 Alpha | Glide | OpenGL | ✗ | ? |
psVoodoo | Windows | 0.13 | Glide | Direct3D 9 | ✗ | ? |
Comparisons
A closed-source 3Dfx Voodoo Glide wrapper. It allows you to play games designed for 3Dfx Glide API without the need for having 3Dfx Voodoo graphics card. All three API versions are supported, Glide 2.11, Glide 2.60 and Glide 3.10. nGlide emulates Glide environment with Direct3D 9 and version 2.0 implemented Vulkan support, which also makes it work under Linux using Wine Staging 2.10.0 or newer.[1] Glide wrapper also supports high resolution modes. This is currently the best Glide wrapper. Has a compatibility list.
A closed-source wrapper for old graphics API's for Windows. The API's it currently can wrap are: Glide 2.11, Glide 2.45, Glide 3.1, Glide 3.1 Napalm, DirectX 1-7 (all versions of DirectDraw and Direct3D up to version 7), Direct3D 8.1 and Direct3D 9. This wrapper can use Direct3D 11 with different device types as wrapping output such as hardware or software rendering.
Wine works mostly well for running older DirectX games. It is possible to use Wine's wrapper in Windows using different forks.
A free replacement for the Windows ddraw.dll library, running on OpenGL. It is designed to overcome driver bugs, particularly in Windows Vista and newer operating systems. It also adds various enhancements to the graphics output such as display scaling and filtering options. DXGL supports the DirectX 7.0 graphics APIs, however it is currently under development and does not work with many programs.
2000's and later APIs
Name | Operating System(s) | Latest Version | Translates | Into | Active | Recommended |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DXVK | Linux | 1.5 | Direct3D 9-11 | Vulkan | ✓ | ✓ |
Wine Direct3D | Windows, Linux, macOS | 9.0 (Linux, macOS) 9.11 Windows |
Direct3D 1-11 | OpenGL | ✓ | ✓ |
Gallium Nine | Linux | 0.5 | Direct3D 9 | Native | ✓ | ~ WIP |
vkd3d | Linux | 1.1 | Direct3D 12 | Vulkan | ✓ | ✗ WIP |
MoltenVK | macOS, iOS | 1.0.39 | Vulkan | Metal | ✓ | ? |
Zink | Linux | Git | OpenGL | Vulkan | ✓ | ? |
D9VK | Linux | Git | Direct3D 9 | Vulkan | ✓ | ✗ |
DXUP | Windows, Linux | Git | Direct3D 9-10 | Direct3D 11 | ✗ | ✗ |
VK9 | Windows, Linux | 0.29.0 | Direct3D 9 | Vulkan | ✗ | ✗ |
Comparisons
A Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D 9-11, which allows running Windows 3D applications on Linux using Proton or Wine.
- is a Direct3D 9 to Vulkan translation layer based off DXVK's codebase. Has been merged into DXVK as of version 1.5.
Has an internal graphics API wrapper for Direct3D 1-11 using OpenGL. It works mostly well for older games, but is slower and has more bugs than newer wrappers using Vulkan, such as DXVK. It is possible to use Wine's wrapper in Windows using different forks.
Gallium nine is an open-source implementation of DirectX 9. Gallium Nine makes it possible to run Direct3D 9 applications on Linux natively, i.e. without any calls translation which allows for a near native speed. It's only available if you are using a Gallium based graphics driver. Currently it's recommended for AMD and Intel cards, but not for nVidia cards.
is an internal Wine wrapper for Direct3D 12 to Vulkan translation. Sponsored by Valve. Currently a work in progress.
runs Direct3D 9 applications on Windows or Linux (with Wine) over Vulkan.
External links
State of Direct3D 9-12 translation layers by DXVK author YoRHa-2B (2019-04-02)