The NVIDIA DLSS SDK is now freely available for download from this page. Previously, developers had to apply before they could get access to it. Unlike the official Unreal Engine or Unity plugins, the DLSS SDK is meant to be used with custom and/or proprietary engines.

New features of this release (version 2.2.1) also include some additional options available to game developers.

The public availability of the DLSS SDK could potentially mean a much broader adoption of NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling technology, even when it comes to unofficial implementations. In fact, programmer and modder DarioSamo, creator of the Super Mario 64 PC port with ray tracing, quickly jumped on the bandwagon to implement DLSS into his project.

  • Added Sharpening Slider – Developers can now add a slider to adjust sharpness, enabling users to make the image sharper or softer based on their own personal preferences.

  • Added Support for Linux – Developers can now integrate DLSS in Linux games and applications.

  • Added Auto-Exposure Option - DLSS is able to automatically calculate exposure values. This feature can potentially improve the image quality of low contrast scenes.

  • Bug Fixes & Stability Improvements

These are the system requirements for the DLSS SDK, by the way.

  • DirectX11, DirectX 12, or Vulkan based

  • Additional note for Vulkan: The Vulkan path of DLSS expects the application to run on a Vulkan version 1.1 or later.

  • On each evaluate call (i.e. each frame), provide:

  • The raw color buffer for the frame (in HDR or LDR/SDR space).

  • Screen space motion vectors that are: accurate and calculated at 16 or 32 bits per-pixel; and updated each frame.

  • The depth buffer for the frame.

  • The exposure value (if processing in HDR space).

Added DLSS.

— Darío (@dariosamo) July 19, 2021

Later, he added via Twitter:

Given how fast AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is gaining support, this is great news for NVIDIA. GeForce RTX owners may soon be able to choose between DLSS and FSR in many, many games and mods.

But I’m getting results. And they’re really good.

Their documentation and debugging tools are very good, and sm64rt already had most of the information that DLSS needs. Your mileage may vary on how easy it is depending on your engine.