1. [Topics](https://developer.nvidia.com/topics/) 2. [Rendering](https://developer.nvidia.com/topics/ai/) 3. Real-Time Ray Tracing # Real-Time Ray Tracing Real-time ray tracing is a method of graphics rendering that simulates the physical behavior of light. Find tutorials, samples, videos, and more: [Explore Resources](#library) Key Topics: - Ray Tracing - Global Illumination - - Dynamic Illumination - Super Resolution - Denoising - - Real-time rendering [![An image of an ancient building showing how real time light simulation works](https://developer.download.nvidia.com/images/real-time-ray-tracing.jpg "An image of an ancient building showing how real time light simulation works")](https://developer.download.nvidia.com/images/real-time-ray-tracing.jpg) Click to Enlarge ## How Real Time Light Simulation Works Real-time path tracing simulates the true physics of light, which uses ray tracing as one component of a larger light simulation system. This provides real-time experiences with true to life shadows, reflections and global illumination. Compared to rasterization, which is equivalent to casting one set of rays from a single point that stops at the first thing they hit, and ray tracing, which casts rays from many points in any direction, path tracing randomly samples all lights in a scene. Rays are traced over multiple bounces back to their light source, directly lighting objects or characters and indirectly lighting rooms or environments. ## Explore Ray Tracing Tools and Technologies ### RTX Kit NVIDIA RTX™ Kit is a suite of technology to path trace game assets with AI, better organize geometry for improved path tracing performance, and create game characters with photorealistic visuals. [Get Started With RTX Kit](/rtx-kit) ### DLSS NVIDIA DLSS is a neural graphics technology that multiplies performance using AI to create entirely new frames, display higher resolution through image reconstruction, and improve the image quality of intensive ray-traced content. [Get Started With DLSS](/rtx/dlss) ### Omniverse NVIDIA Omniverse™ is a platform of APIs, SDKs, and services that enable developers to easily integrate Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) and NVIDIA RTX™ rendering technologies into existing software tools and simulation workflows for building AI systems. [Get Started With Omniverse](/omniverse) ### OptiX NVIDIA OptiX™ is an application framework for achieving optimal ray-tracing performance on the GPU for non-realtime renderers. It provides a simple, recursive, and flexible pipeline for accelerating ray-tracing algorithms. [Get Started With OptiX](/rtx/ray-tracing/optix) ### Nsight Developer Tools NVIDIA Nsight™ tools are a powerful set of libraries, SDKs, and developer tools spanning that enable developers to build, debug, profile, and develop software that utilizes path tracing. [Get Started With Nsight Tools](/tools-overview#section-all) ## ## Real-Time Ray Tracing Learning Resources The rows below are the raw result records for this component — one row per record. Column names are the source index fields; the full data is also downloadable in the links that follow. | links | title | excerpt | featured | products | sort_key | created_at | content_type | learning_levels | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3oDLMDgXc0&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=8", "text" => "Learn more"} | Explore the Capabilities of Autodesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE | Using audio-input only, NVIDIA ACE can generate lifelike facial animation in real-time. Discover the technologies that power Autodesk Maya and how it can be used in your workflow. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|explore the capabilities of autodesk maya and nvidia ace | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kdqROvatDI&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=5", "text" => "Learn more"} | Setting Up Your Character with Autodesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE | Bring your character to life using blend shapes. Discover how to navigate the Autodesk Maya workflow so that you can seamlessly format your character. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|setting up your character with autodesk maya and nvidia ace | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsY81c3dDbI&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=7", "text" => "Learn more"} | How to Download and Install Autodesk Maya for NVIDIA ACE | Ready to start using Autodesk Maya? In this NVIDIA ACE tutorial video, we’ll outline system requirements and how to successfully download and deploy this tool. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|how to download and install autodesk maya for nvidia ace | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LMs3tHc4Xs&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=4", "text" => "Learn more"} | Character Animation with Autodesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE | In this tutorial video, learn more about how to adjust settings in Autodesk Maya to fine-tune your character animation based on personality, reactions, and small facial-movements. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|character animation with autodesk maya and nvidia ace | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_gAn6cR_QM&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=2", "text" => "Learn more"} | Exploring the Autodesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE Open Source Code | Explore the AutoDesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE source code, including requirements and steps for downloading and what is included in the source code. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|exploring the autodesk maya and nvidia ace open source code | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/experience/elitenvidiabrill/1407606/3849291/level-up-with-nvidia#new_tab", "text" => "Learn more"} | Webinar: Explore NVIDIA RTX Workflows with JSFILMZ | In this webinar, see how YouTube creator JSFILMZ uses NVIDIA RTX and how it enables him to iterate on creative ideas. | false | DLSS, RTX Direct Illumination, RTX GPU | 2\|webinar: explore nvidia rtx workflows with jsfilmz | 1701336600 | Blog | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFZ149RPLY0&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=6", "text" => "Learn more"} | Get and Setup API Key for Autodesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE | In this video, we’ll walk through how you can generate an API key to enable you to use the microservice from Autodesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|get and setup api key for autodesk maya and nvidia ace | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GLZGWzxRk&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=4", "text" => "Learn more"} | Animating with Autodesk Maya and NVIDIA ACE | Learn how to finish up and export your animation in Autodesk Maya and import your files into other tools, such as Unreal, to further bring your animation to life. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|animating with autodesk maya and nvidia ace | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://nvda.ws/3rciiVt#new_tab", "text" => "Learn more"} | Webinar: NVIDIA RTX Caustics Branch of Unreal Engine | Explore how ray-traced caustics combined with NVIDIA RTX features can enhance the performance of your games. | false | DLSS, RTX GPU, RTX Direct Illumination, RTX Global Illumination, RTX Memory Utility | 2\|webinar: nvidia rtx caustics branch of unreal engine | 1694444400 | Blog | Beginner | | {"url" => "https://nvda.ws/3COWBwK#new_tab", "text" => "Learn more"} | Release: NVIDIA RTX Branch of Unreal Engine 5.2 | This release offers Unreal Engine, NVIDIA RTX, and neural rendering advancements. | false | DLSS, RTX Direct Illumination, RTX Global Illumination | 2\|release: nvidia rtx branch of unreal engine 5.2 | 1687860000 | Blog | Beginner | | {"url" => "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6iW98IrKnM&list=PL5B692fm6--sRqOTsuIExj746qMi3MOH2&index=2", "text" => "Learn more"} | Python Access to Audio2Face | Using Python, you can build your own tool that will access the Audio2Face microservice, and use examples from the NVIDIA Github. | false | RTX Kit, ACE | 1\|python access to audio2face | 1791278003 | Video | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/build-apps-with-neural-rendering-using-nvidia-nsight-developer-tools-on-geforce-rtx-50-series-gpus/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Build Apps with Neural Rendering Using NVIDIA Nsight Developer Tools on GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs | The next generation of NVIDIA graphics hardware has arrived. Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs deliver groundbreaking new RTX features… | false | Blackwell, Nsight Tools - Graphics, RTX Kit | 2\|build apps with neural rendering using nvidia nsight developer tools on geforce rtx 50 series gpus | 1738242660 | Blog | Beginner | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/fast-ray-tracing-of-dynamic-scenes-using-nvidia-optix-9-and-nvidia-rtx-mega-geometry/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Fast Ray Tracing of Dynamic Scenes Using NVIDIA OptiX 9 and NVIDIA RTX Mega Geometry | Real-time ray tracing is a powerful rendering technique that can create incredibly realistic images. NVIDIA OptiX and RTX technology make this possible… | false | OptiX, RTX Kit | 2\|fast ray tracing of dynamic scenes using nvidia optix 9 and nvidia rtx mega geometry | 1745497800 | Blog | Intermediate, Advanced | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-rtx-neural-rendering-introduces-next-era-of-ai-powered-graphics-innovation/", "text" => "Learn more"} | NVIDIA RTX Neural Rendering Introduces Next Era of AI-Powered Graphics Innovation | NVIDIA today unveiled next-generation hardware for gamers, creators, and developers—the GeForce RTX 50 Series desktop and laptop GPUs. Alongside these GPUs… | false | RTX GPU, RTX Kit | 2\|nvidia rtx neural rendering introduces next era of ai-powered graphics innovation | 1736191320 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-rtx-advances-with-neural-rendering-and-digital-human-technologies-at-gdc-2025/", "text" => "Learn more"} | NVIDIA RTX Advances with Neural Rendering and Digital Human Technologies at GDC 2025 | AI is transforming how we experience our favorite games. It is unlocking new levels of visuals, performance, and gameplay possibilities with neural rendering… | false | RTX Kit | 2\|nvidia rtx advances with neural rendering and digital human technologies at gdc 2025 | 1742230800 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/how-id-software-used-neural-rendering-and-path-tracing-in-doom-the-dark-ages/", "text" => "Learn more"} | How id Software Used Neural Rendering and Path Tracing in DOOM: The Dark Ages | DOOM: The Dark Ages pushes real-time graphics to new limits by integrating RTX neural rendering and path tracing, setting a new standard for how modern games… | false | DLSS, RTX GPU, RTX Kit | 2\|how id software used neural rendering and path tracing in doom: the dark ages | 1759212000 | Blog | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-ace-adds-open-source-qwen3-slm-for-on-device-deployment-in-pc-games/", "text" => "Learn more"} | NVIDIA ACE Adds Open Source Qwen3 SLM for On-Device Deployment in PC Games | To help create real-time, dynamic NPC game characters, NVIDIA ACE now supports the open source Qwen3-8B small language model (SLM) for on-device deployment. | false | ACE, DLSS, RTX GPU, RTX Kit | 2\|nvidia ace adds open source qwen3 slm for on-device deployment in pc games | 1761040800 | Blog | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/render-path-traced-hair-in-real-time-with-nvidia-geforce-rtx-50-series-gpus/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Render Path-Traced Hair in Real Time with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs | Hardware support for ray tracing triangle meshes was introduced as part of NVIDIA RTX in 2018. But ray tracing for hair and fur has remained a compute-intensive… | false | OptiX, RTX Kit | 2\|render path-traced hair in real time with nvidia geforce rtx 50 series gpus | 1738845000 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-releases-rtx-neural-rendering-tech-for-unreal-engine-developers/", "text" => "Learn more"} | NVIDIA Releases RTX Neural Rendering Tech for Unreal Engine Developers | Artificial intelligence is bridging the gap between game visuals and state-of-the-art CGI in films. It is evolving traditional graphics programming and giving… | false | ACE, Audio2Face, RTX GPU, RTX Kit | 2\|nvidia releases rtx neural rendering tech for unreal engine developers | 1748858400 | Blog | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-rtx-mega-geometry-now-available-with-new-vulkan-samples/", "text" => "Learn more"} | NVIDIA RTX Mega Geometry Now Available with New Vulkan Samples | Geometric detail in computer graphics has increased exponentially in the past 30 years. To render high quality assets with higher instance counts and greater… | false | RTX Kit | 2\|nvidia rtx mega geometry now available with new vulkan samples | 1738837760 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/get-started-with-neural-rendering-using-nvidia-rtx-kit/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Get Started with Neural Rendering Using NVIDIA RTX Kit | Neural rendering is the next era of computer graphics. By integrating neural networks into the rendering process, we can take dramatic leaps forward in… | false | RTX Kit | 2\|get started with neural rendering using nvidia rtx kit | 1738844057 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/whats-new-for-game-developers-dlss-5-with-3d-guided-neural-rendering-nvidia-ace-updates-and-new-rtx-kit-capabilities/", "text" => "Learn more"} | What's New for Game Developers: DLSS 5 with 3D-Guided Neural Rendering, NVIDIA ACE Updates, and New RTX Kit Capabilities | NVIDIA DLSS 5 introduces DLSS 3D-Guided Neural Rendering and granular controls that help game developers add lifelike lighting and material detail while… | false | DLSS, RTX Kit | 2\|what's new for game developers: dlss 5 with 3d-guided neural rendering, nvidia ace updates, and new rtx kit capabilities | 1790056800 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/qa-how-capcom-brought-path-tracing-to-re-engine-across-pragmata-and-resident-evil-requiem/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Q&A: How Capcom Brought Path Tracing to RE ENGINE Across PRAGMATA and Resident Evil Requiem | Capcom’s RE ENGINE team set out to bring path tracing into two shipping titles at once, Resident Evil Requiem and PRAGMATA, each with a different visual… | false | DLSS, Nsight Tools - Graphics, RTX Kit | 2\|q&a: how capcom brought path tracing to re engine across pragmata and resident evil requiem | 1784217549 | Blog | Beginner | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/build-on-device-ai-companions-with-the-nvidia-ace-game-agent-sdk-and-unreal-engine-5-plugins/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Build On-Device AI Companions with the NVIDIA ACE Game Agent SDK and Unreal Engine 5 Plugins | NVIDIA RTX technologies are deeply integrated into Unreal Engine 5 through the NVIDIA RTX Branch of Unreal Engine and the NVIDIA DLSS Unreal Engine plugin. | false | ACE, DLSS, Nsight Tools - Graphics, RTX Kit | 2\|build on-device ai companions with the nvidia ace game agent sdk and unreal engine 5 plugins | 1781604000 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-dlss-4-5-delivers-super-resolution-upgrades-and-new-dynamic-multi-frame-generation/", "text" => "Learn more"} | NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 Delivers Super Resolution Upgrades and New Dynamic Multi Frame Generation | NVIDIA DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation has become the fastest-adopted NVIDIA gaming technology ever. Over 250 games and apps use it to make real-time path… | false | DLSS, RTX GPU, RTX Kit | 2\|nvidia dlss 4.5 delivers super resolution upgrades and new dynamic multi frame generation | 1768370400 | Blog | Beginner | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/how-krafton-built-pubg-ally-a-co-playable-character-powered-by-nvidia-ace/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Q&A: How KRAFTON Built PUBG Ally, a Co-Playable Character Powered by NVIDIA ACE | AI companions in games have long been constrained by fixed dialogue. PUBG Ally is a different kind of system. Built by KRAFTON for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS… | false | ACE, RTX Kit | 2\|q&a: how krafton built pubg ally, a co-playable character powered by nvidia ace | 1782380298 | Blog | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-rtx-innovations-are-powering-the-next-era-of-game-development/", "text" => "Learn more"} | NVIDIA RTX Innovations Are Powering the Next Era of Game Development | NVIDIA RTX ray tracing and AI-powered neural rendering technologies are redefining how games are made, enabling a new standard for visuals and performance. | false | ACE, Blackwell, CloudXR, DLSS, Nsight Tools - Graphics, RTX Kit | 2\|nvidia rtx innovations are powering the next era of game development | 1773131400 | Blog | General Interest | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/how-painkiller-rtx-uses-generative-ai-to-modernize-game-assets-at-scale/", "text" => "Learn more"} | How Painkiller RTX Uses Generative AI to Modernize Game Assets at Scale | Painkiller RTX sets a new standard for how small teams can balance massive visual ambition with limited resources by integrating generative AI. | false | DLSS, RTX GPU, RTX Kit | 2\|how painkiller rtx uses generative ai to modernize game assets at scale | 1770271200 | Blog | Beginner | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/how-to-get-started-with-neural-shading-for-your-game-or-application/", "text" => "Learn more"} | How to Get Started with Neural Shading for Your Game or Application | For the past 25 years, real-time rendering has been driven by continuous hardware improvements. The goal has always been to create the highest fidelity image… | false | CUDA, RTX Kit | 2\|how to get started with neural shading for your game or application | 1763034928 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/build-ai-powered-games-with-nvidia-dlss-4-5-rtx-and-unreal-engine-5/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Build AI-Powered Games with NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, RTX, and Unreal Engine 5 | Today, game developers can begin integrating NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 with Dynamic Multi Frame Generation, Multi Frame Generation 6X, and the second-generation… | false | DLSS, RTX Kit, Streamline | 2\|build ai-powered games with nvidia dlss 4.5, rtx, and unreal engine 5 | 1777543200 | Blog | Intermediate | | {"url" => "https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/debugging-ray-tracing-applications-using-nvidia-optix-toolkit/", "text" => "Learn more"} | Debugging Ray Tracing Applications Using NVIDIA OptiX Toolkit | NVIDIA OptiX ray tracing engine is an application framework for achieving optimal ray tracing performance on the GPU. Applications using OptiX can fail in ways… | false | CUDA, OptiX | 2\|debugging ray tracing applications using nvidia optix toolkit | 1784797623 | Blog | Intermediate | [Download the raw results data (JSON)](https://developer.nvidia.com/search-data/ll_ray_tracing.json)