What are the use cases for deferred shading in C++?

What are the use cases for deferred shading in C++?

Deferred shading is commonly used in real-time rendering applications, especially in video games. It allows for complex lighting calculations to be performed after the geometry has been rendered, which can improve performance and visual quality.

Can you explain how it improves performance?

Sure! Deferred shading separates the rendering process into two passes: the first pass captures geometry and material properties, while the second pass applies lighting. This means that you can handle many light sources without re-rendering the geometry, which saves processing power.

Are there any downsides to using deferred shading?

Yes, there are some downsides. Deferred shading can consume more memory due to the additional buffers required, and it may not work well with transparent objects since they need to be rendered differently.

What types of games benefit the most from deferred shading?

Games with complex lighting scenarios, like first-person shooters or open-world games, benefit the most. They often have many dynamic light sources and require high visual fidelity.