[macOS] Using Metal API with Dolphin?

[DoctorMac]

Would it be possible to implement the Metal API into Dolphin on macOS? From my (limited) research, it seems that Metal could have better performance than OpenGL.

[JosJuice]

It's possible. The more important question is if anyone wants to work on it. I heard something about a Metal backend from whoever were working on porting Dolphin to iOS, but I don't have anything concrete to say about that. Since you asked this in the development forum, can I assume you're interested in helping with the development?

[DoctorMac]

(08-07-2016, 02:45 AM)JosJuice Wrote: It's possible. The more important question is if anyone wants to work on it. I heard something about a Metal backend from whoever were working on porting Dolphin to iOS, but I don't have anything concrete to say about that. Since you asked this in the development forum, can I assume you're interested in helping with the development?

I would be happy to help if I knew anything about developing. I've worked with Xcode a tad bit, but nothing good at all. However, I would love to be a tester.

[Helios]

Finding people to test is rarely a problem. One forum post and people will throw themselves at it.

[JMC47]

I'm sure a Metal backend will come at some time, but I'm not exactly a fan of it. If their idea of incentive to support their graphics API is that they have shit support for any other one, then... what kind of behavior are we supporting?

[DoctorMac]

(08-07-2016, 05:18 AM)JMC47 Wrote: I'm sure a Metal backend will come at some time, but I'm not exactly a fan of it.  If their idea of incentive to support their graphics API is that they have shit support for any other one, then... what kind of behavior are we supporting?

You have a point there. But if supporting Metal gives faster performance than what's already at our disposal, then I say why not?

[AnyOldName3]

It would likely be less work for everyone if Dolphin just focused on the experimental Vulkan backend (currently in a PR) instead of both, and Apple just supported Vulkan - they'd only have to implement it, as the spec is designed already, and Kronos have released thorough testing tools and development tools, so Apple wouldn't have to repeat this work. Developers of software like Dolphin would have fewer video backends to maintain, so could make them better in the same time, and users would end up with faster software. However, Apple hope that people who've written software for OSX will see the effort it would be to make a second backend for other platforms, and then not bother porting their software to Windows, Linux or Android.

Time will tell if this idea works out for them, but it's hard to argue that it's the best solution for consumers, hence why people dislike it, especially the kind of open-source enthusiast who's likely to care a lot about Dolphin's development.

[Isaboll1]

(08-07-2016, 05:18 AM)JMC47 Wrote: I'm sure a Metal backend will come at some time, but I'm not exactly a fan of it.  If their idea of incentive to support their graphics API is that they have shit support for any other one, then... what kind of behavior are we supporting?

I agree with your point. it would be cool if say, a Vulkan wrapper for metal was usable (at least), then Vulkan backend work could be done for Mac (i know of MoltenVK, but i'm thinking more open and free instead)

[Isaboll1]

that'd be cool at least

[DoctorMac]

My logic is probably hampered, but I'm wondering if one could just replace all the OpenGL code and redirect it to use Metal. It looks like that could work, more or less.