Release: Rtgi 0.17.0.2

We’re happy to announce the immediate availability of RTGI version 0.17.0.2. While not a major feature overhaul, this patch focuses on what matters most: stability, accuracy, and a smoother experience across a wider range of titles.

For those new to the project, RTGI (ReSTIR Global Illumination) is a post-processing screen-space ray tracing shader that injects real-time, hardware-agnostic global illumination into DirectX 9–12 games. No RTX hardware required.

One of the long-standing criticisms of screen-space GI is the handling of rough, glossy, or metallic surfaces. The new hybrid mode blends two different ray lengths based on material roughness values sampled from the depth buffer. This results in more accurate reflections on wet roads or polished wood, especially in games like Cyberpunk 2077 (when used alongside the built-in RT) or Skyrim with ENB.

RTGI v0.17.0.2 is available now on the usual channels:

⚠️ Important: RTGI requires ReShade 5.0 or newer with depth buffer access enabled. Make sure your ReShade is up to date.

RTGI 0.17.0.2 is a stable, refined release. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel but fixes real-world annoyances. For most users, it’s the best balance of quality, stability, and performance among all RTGI versions to date.

Pro tip: Pair RTGI 0.17.0.2 with MXAO (ambient occlusion) for contact shadows and Bloom for light spread – the three together mimic a mini path tracer in older games.

The RTGI 0.17.0.2 release is a significant historical update for the Ray Traced Global Illumination (RTGI) shader, developed by Pascal Gilcher (also known as Marty McFly). This specific version was released on October 30, 2020, as part of the early beta development for the shader suite. Core Technology

RTGI is a state-of-the-art post-processing shader for the ReShade universal injector. It brings realistic lighting to games by physically simulating how light interacts with the environment through:

Diffuse Global Illumination: Simulates real-time interactive bounce lighting, allowing light to illuminate areas not directly hit by a primary light source. rtgi 0.17.0.2 release

Ambient Occlusion: Enhances contact shadows and depth perception between objects.

Screen Space Ray Tracing: It utilizes the game's depth buffer data to calculate lighting paths, making it compatible with non-RTX video cards. Key Features of Version 0.17.0.2

While this version was part of a broader beta cycle, it was notable for several implementation details:

ReShade Compatibility: This version is often paired with ReShade 4.9 or similar versions from that period to ensure stability.

Game Versatility: It was widely tested and used in popular titles like GTA V, Skyrim SE, and Minecraft Java Edition to provide a "next-gen" visual look before official ray tracing updates were common.

Hardware Independence: Unlike official hardware-accelerated ray tracing, RTGI 0.17.0.2 operates solely on depth data, allowing older GPUs to achieve similar visual results. Distribution and Legacy

Access: This specific build was distributed primarily through Pascal Gilcher’s Patreon, where it was offered as a benefit for supporters in the early development phase.

Evolution: Since 2020, the shader has evolved into the iMMERSE Pro suite, featuring more advanced algorithms like ReSTIR and improved denoising.

Mainstream Adoption: The technology behind RTGI was eventually adapted by NVIDIA for use in their NVIDIA FreeStyle and Ansel driver modules as "SSRTGI". RTGI 0.17.0.2 Release! - Patreon We’re happy to announce the immediate availability of

RTGI 0.17.0.2 Release: Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Path Tracing Update

The world of PC gaming aesthetics has just taken another leap forward with the release of RTGI version 0.17.0.2. Created by Pascal Gilcher (better known as Marty McFly), the Screen Space Ray Traced Global Illumination (RTGI) shader has become the gold standard for adding modern lighting effects to older titles and enhancing the visual fidelity of new ones via Reshade. This latest point release focuses on refining the massive technological leaps introduced in the 0.17 branch, offering better performance, fewer artifacts, and more accurate light bounce calculations. What is RTGI?

RTGI is a post-processing shader that brings path-traced lighting to almost any game that allows depth buffer access through Reshade. Unlike standard game lighting, which often relies on pre-baked shadows or simple ambient occlusion, RTGI calculates how light bounces off surfaces in real-time. This results in natural color bleeding, realistic shadows in corners, and a sense of "grounding" for objects that traditional rendering methods often miss. Key Improvements in 0.17.0.2

The move from the 0.16 versions to the 0.17 architecture represented a complete rewrite of the shader’s core logic. The 0.17.0.2 update serves as a critical stabilization and optimization patch for that new foundation. Enhanced Denoising Logic

One of the biggest hurdles for real-time ray tracing is "noise"—the grainy flickering seen when there aren't enough light rays to fill a scene. The 0.17.0.2 release introduces a more sophisticated temporal denoiser. It better tracks pixels across frames, significantly reducing the "ghosting" effect that sometimes occurs when a character moves quickly across a dark room. Improved Surface Physics

Light now interacts more realistically with different material types. The update refines the way light scatters on rough versus smooth surfaces. You will notice that metallic objects have a more distinct "sheen" from indirect light sources, while matte surfaces like cloth or stone absorb and diffuse light with greater accuracy. Optimization and Performance

Ray tracing is notoriously heavy on hardware. This release includes several back-end optimizations to the ray-marching algorithm. Users on mid-range hardware will notice slightly more stable frame times, especially in complex scenes with multiple light sources. The shader is now more efficient at discarding rays that don't contribute to the final image, saving precious GPU cycles. Better Compatibility with Reshade 5.x+

As Reshade continues to evolve, RTGI must keep pace. Version 0.17.0.2 is built to take full advantage of the latest Reshade features, including improved depth buffer detection and better handling of UI masking. This ensures that the lighting doesn't "bleed" over your game’s HUD or menus as often as it did in previous iterations. How to Install RTGI 0.17.0.2

For those looking to upgrade their visual experience, the process remains straightforward: ⚠️ Important: RTGI requires ReShade 5

Support the Creator: RTGI is currently hosted via Pascal Gilcher’s Patreon. You will need to be a supporter to download the latest binaries.

Install Reshade: Ensure you have the latest version of Reshade installed for your specific game.

Copy the Files: Place the shader (.fx) and header (.fxh) files into the "reshade-shaders/Shaders" folder of your game directory.

Set Up Depth Buffer: In-game, open the Reshade menu and ensure your depth buffer is correctly aligned so the shader can "see" the 3D space. Conclusion

The RTGI 0.17.0.2 release isn't just a minor incremental update; it's a testament to the ongoing refinement of real-time lighting on the PC. By smoothing out the edges of the 0.17 rewrite, Marty McFly has provided gamers with a tool that makes decade-old classics look like modern, ray-traced masterpieces. Whether you are a virtual photographer or just someone who wants their games to look as immersive as possible, this update is an essential addition to your modding toolkit.

While the jump from 0.16 to 0.17 was substantial, the 0.17.0.2 release focuses on polishing the ray marching core and improving user experience. Here are the key highlights:

This is primarily a hotfix and refinement patch building on v0.17.0.1. Key changes include:

Within 48 hours of release, the official Discord server saw over 1,200 messages. Early adopters are praising the reduction in flickering. Reddit user u/LightingGuru wrote:

"0.17.0.2 finally makes RTGI look like a proper lighting solution rather than a noisy effect. The temporal stability is night and day in motion. This is the version I’ve been waiting for since 0.12."

Some users have reported that the new Hybrid Roughness mode can cause slight oversaturation in very dark scenes. The developer has acknowledged this and suggests lowering the Indirect Lighting Boost slider from 1.0 to 0.85 for a more natural look.