Get Started with NVIDIA VULKAN DesignWorks Samples

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting Up the Vulcan Development Environment
   1. Prerequisites
   2. Downloading the Vulcan SDK
   3. Getting the Vulcan Samples from GitHub
3. Running the Vulcan Samples
   1. Cloning the Shared Sources
   2. Cloning the Shared Externals
   3. Cloning and Running a Demo
4. Conclusion

Introduction

Vulcan is a powerful graphics and compute API developed by Nvidia that provides high-performance access to modern GPUs. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up the Vulcan development environment and running the Vulcan samples and demos. Whether you are new to Vulcan or already familiar with it, this guide will help you get started and explore the capabilities of this technology.

Setting Up the Vulcan Development Environment

Before we can start running the Vulcan samples, we need to set up the development environment. This involves installing the necessary prerequisites, downloading the Vulcan SDK, and getting the Vulcan samples from GitHub.

Prerequisites

To begin, ensure that you have a compatible Nvidia graphics card and the latest drivers installed. If you don't have the latest drivers, you can download them from the Nvidia website.

Downloading the Vulcan SDK

The Vulcan SDK is the core toolkit for Vulcan development. You can download it from the Vulcan website. Visit the website and search for the latest Windows installer. Download and install the SDK on your system.

Getting the Vulcan Samples from GitHub

The Vulcan samples are available on the Nvidia DesignWorks GitHub repository. These samples demonstrate the capabilities of Vulcan rendering and functionality. To get the samples, visit the repository on GitHub and clone the shared sources and shared externals directories. Make sure to clone them to the same parent folder.

Running the Vulcan Samples

Now that we have set up the Vulcan development environment, we can proceed to run the Vulcan samples. This involves cloning the shared sources, cloning the shared externals, and cloning and running a demo.

Cloning the Shared Sources

First, let's clone the shared sources. Open your preferred version control software, such as Fork, and copy the URL of the shared sources directory from the Nvidia DesignWorks GitHub repository. Then, clone the repository to the parent folder where you saved the Vulcan SDK.

Cloning the Shared Externals

Next, we need to clone the shared externals. Similarly, copy the URL of the shared externals directory and clone it to the same parent folder where you saved the Vulcan SDK and shared sources.

Cloning and Running a Demo

To clone and run a demo, choose a demo from the Nvidia DesignWorks GitHub repository. Each demo showcases different Vulcan functionalities. Copy the URL of the demo and clone it to the parent folder.

After cloning the demo, open CMake and run it to generate the necessary project files. Browse to the root directory of the demo project and select "Browse Build." Create a new folder for the build, such as "build." Generate the project files with the default options.

Now, open the generated project in Visual Studio. Set the demo project as the startup project, ensuring that all the other configurations are as provided by the repository. Finally, hit "Play" to compile and run the demo. If you have the necessary SDK and shared sources and externals, the demo should run without any issues.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully set up the Vulcan development environment and learned how to run the Vulcan samples and demos. This is just the beginning of your exploration into the world of Vulcan. Take advantage of the available source code and dive deeper into the features and capabilities offered by Vulcan. Experiment, learn, and unleash the power of Vulcan in your graphics and compute projects.

Highlights:

• Vulcan is a powerful graphics and compute API developed by Nvidia.
• Setting up the Vulcan development environment involves installing prerequisites, downloading the Vulcan SDK, and getting the Vulcan samples from GitHub.
• Cloning the shared sources and shared externals is essential to run the Vulcan samples.
• Running a demo requires generating project files using CMake and compiling and running the code in Visual Studio.
• Vulcan offers extensive functionality and performance advantages for graphics and compute applications.

FAQ

Q: What is Vulcan? A: Vulcan is a graphics and compute API developed by Nvidia that provides high-performance access to modern GPUs.

Q: How do I set up the Vulcan development environment? A: To set up the Vulcan development environment, you need to install the necessary prerequisites, download the Vulcan SDK, and clone the Vulcan samples from GitHub.

Q: Can I run the Vulcan samples on non-Nvidia graphics cards? A: While the setup process might differ, you should be able to run the Vulcan samples on AMD and Intel graphics cards with the appropriate drivers.

Q: What can I expect from the Vulcan samples? A: The Vulcan samples showcase various Vulcan functionalities, including rendering techniques, shaders, and advanced graphics features.

Q: Is it necessary to have a deep understanding of graphics programming to work with Vulcan? A: Although a solid understanding of graphics programming can be beneficial, you can start exploring Vulcan even with basic knowledge and gradually enhance your skills.

Resources:

• Vulcan SDK: https://www.vulkan.org/sdk
• Nvidia DesignWorks GitHub repository: https://github.com/nvpro-samples