What is Anti-Aliasing? Ultimate Guide Update 12 / 2024

Updated at: 18-05-2022 - By: Leo Hall

All those pixels in PC games can now be smoothed out into graphics that are truly fit for this century thanks to anti-aliasing. This is a setting on the graphics card that reduces jaggies.

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You’re in luck if you’re playing a game at a higher resolution. You’ve probably never heard of or seen a “jaggie.” A mediocre rig for a high-demand game may be all that some players have to work with.

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Different Anti-Aliasing Types

In terms of anti-aliasing, there are primarily two camps.

Increasing the sample rate by producing more pixels than your screen truly needs and then downsampling it to your resolution is the first category.

The second set of AA kinds, on the other hand, smooths out the screen’s edges after the rendering process is complete. If you don’t want to deal with the performance hit that comes with this kind of AA because it’s done in post-processing, you may want to look elsewhere.

So, if you don’t mind sacrificing performance for picture quality, sampling anti-aliasing is probably a good choice.

This means you’ll have to go for post-processing AA, which will blur the image slightly but at least get rid of that dreadful staircase.

Super-Sampling Anti-Aliasing

Aside from SSAA (Super sampling AA) and FSAA (Full-scene Anti aliasing), we also have a number of other types of anti-aliasing, which are all capable of enhancing the quality of images, but they all have their own drawbacks in terms of performance.

One of the most popular anti-aliasing algorithms is MSAA (Multi-Sample Anti-Aliasing), which only applies sampling to the image’s edges where it is most needed, saving you performance costs while still improving the image’s quality.

Furthermore, NVIDIA and AMD both have their own proprietary MSAA implementations that are not compatible with each other. Because they are both based on MSAA, Nvidia’s CSAA (Coverage-Sample AA) and AMD’s EQAA (Enhanced Quality Anti-Aliasing) perform nearly identically.

Post-Processing Anti-Aliasing

FXAA is the most widely used AA in post-processing (Fast-Approximate Anti-Aliasing). Enabling this will remove the irritating jaggies at a minimal performance impact, as previously stated.

Many gamers may find this algorithm’s hazy appearance unappealing, but if you have a low-powered PC, it may be your only option because it is the greatest anti-aliasing approach for performance.

Similar to FXAA, AMD’s Morphological Anti-Aliasing smoothes out the rough edges of a picture at a very low performance penalty.

Combined Anti-Aliasing

A new technique from NVIDIA, called TXAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing), combines MSAA (downsampling) with temporal filters in post processing (blurring). A graphics card with NVIDIA’s Kepler GPU, such as the GTX 600 series or higher, is required to use this technology.

TXAA is naturally more power-hungry than FXAA because it is better at handling fast-paced gameplay.

In the middle ground between FXAA and MSAA is SMAA (Sub-Pixel Morphological Anti-Aliasing), which is a compromise between both image quality and performance cost. It’s similar to FXAA in that it smooths out the edges, but it also detects the edges.

For CMAA (Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing), we combine FXAA with SMAAA (Small Morphological Anti-Aliasing). There is less blurring than FXAA but the image is still soft enough to be acceptable, and the performance cost is somewhere in-between.

MSAA and Beyond

Fortunately, improved anti-aliasing algorithms have been developed since then. Multi-sampling anti-aliasing is one of the most used forms. MSAA samples all connected pixels that share a color. That means that when your display contains a large group of similar-colored pixels, your GPU can save a lot of processing effort because it doesn’t have to analyze each individual pixel. That frees up a lot of processing power that may be put to better use elsewhere.

However, because of this method, MSAA can only smooth polygonal edges and not the rest of the environment. MSAA, for example, can’t assist with pixelated images. It’s also worth noting that MSAA’s ability to smooth out lines and edges is due to the fact that it intentionally ignores part of the pixels it’s working with. Your image may lose some color detail as a result.

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FXAA, a performance-based technique to anti-aliasing, is also worth learning. It’s designed to reduce the amount of processing power required to smooth out the edges of an image. However, due to its low power, it can produce hazy images. TXAA, on the other hand, is a more recent approach to edge smoothing that integrates multiple different algorithms.

NVidia vs. AMD Anti-Aliasing

Depending on the GPU you’re using, you have a variety of anti-aliasing choices. With the help of AMD and NVidia, both companies have created their own anti-aliasing techniques, called CFAA and CSAA. A disadvantage of CSAA is that it can degrade the fidelity of colors while providing effective anti-aliasing because it puts less pressure on your GPU by sampling fewer colors per area. AMD’s CFAA filter, on the other hand, uses an edge detection method to produce superior line filtering without sacrificing color, but at a higher computational cost than its NVidia rival.

AA Multipliers

Anti-aliasing options may or may not be available when you open a game. Other times, there are just two choices, and that’s when you’re lucky to have a choice. Even with a few short drop-down menus for anti-aliasing tools, it’s easy to become lost in the sea of choices. Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to grasp.

When comparing MSAA x2 with MSAA x4, it’s just like using the blur tool in Photoshop to figure out which is better. The MSAA x2 double-filters the image by doing its magic twice. It’s also applied four times using the MSAA x4 filter. The letter Q is sometimes attached to multipliers to indicate “quality.” While 8XMSAA has higher performance costs, QCSAA x6 offers equivalent performance to 8XMSAA without the additional overhead.

The idea that a greater anti-aliasing multiplier equals better graphics is a prevalent misunderstanding in the gaming industry. It’s impossible to be more incorrect. Anti-aliasing may only be required for one or two games depending on the resolution of your display and the type of game you’re playing. Each game is different, thus the amount you’ll need will change as well.

Your image may look better with MSAA x2 than with MSAA x4; but, MSAA x4 may cause items to look blurry or lose color fidelity. Adding insult to injury, these modifiers force your GPU to work harder. Because of this, you may notice that your game is less responsive and your computer is running hotter. Additionally, when the temperature within your computer rises, so does the overall efficiency of the device. Modern processors are all designed to slow down when they reach a certain temperature.

SSAA

An anti-aliasing technique known as SSAA, short for “supersampling anti-aliasing,” is one of the simplest and most demanding. SSAA uses various downsampling techniques to provide a crisper, clearer image by rendering the game at a higher resolution and then downsampling it.

When it comes to eliminating aliasing, SSAA often produces the best results. The performance cost is significant and can severely limit the performance of many GPUs, making it an unwise choice for individuals with outdated or underpowered graphics cards.

FXAA

Nvidia developed the “quick approximation anti-aliasing” (FXAA) technology, which is the greatest anti-aliasing approach for low-end PCs because of its speed. Due to the fact that smoothing out the two-dimensional image on the screen rather than taking into account the 3D geometry of in-game models, it is less taxing on the GPU.

SSAA and MSAA produce images that are noticeably sharper and clearer, but the drawback is that the edges and textures can become somewhat blurred.

MLAA

To remove “jaggies” from images, MLAA uses a technique similar to FXAA in which pixels are blended and blurred in post-processing, much like FXAA. This means that it isn’t as demanding on hardware as FXAA. But as you would have predicted, this causes the game’s edges to become noticeably more blurry than they would be with FXAA.

SMAA

“Subpixel morphological anti-aliasing,” or SMAA, works in a similar way to MLAA, “morphological anti-aliasing.” There is a significant advantage to this method over the previously described FXAA and MLAA procedures in that it decreases blur.

TXAA

TXAA, or “temporal anti-aliasing,” follows. Another Nvidia-created anti-aliasing approach, this one uses various AA techniques to smooth out movement and cope with both jagged edges as well as temporal aliasing. The problem is that TXAA is very demanding on the hardware, and there aren’t many games using it in 2022.

DLSS

DLSS completes the picture. If you’re using Nvidia Volta or Turing-based GPUs, you’ll only be able to use Deep Learning Super-Sampling.

Nvidia’s supercomputers are used to create deep learning models that may be used by the GPU to generate crisper, more detailed images and upscaling them to a higher resolution.

Super Resolution

Finally, depending on your graphics card, you may wish to experiment with NVIDIA’s DSR (Dynamic Super Resolution) or AMD’s VSR (Virtual Super Resolution).

When your monitor’s maximum resolution is 4K, your GPU may render the screen at 4K and then down-sample it to the monitor’s native resolution.

As a bonus, you can also use this to boost the resolution of your desktop, which will offer you more space on your screen.

AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR)

In contrast to VSR, AMD’s FSR technology makes the GPU render at a reduced resolution and then uses its upscaling algorithm in order to increase the frame rate.

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It is up to you to decide how much extra FPS you get and how much the quality of the image is affected by the numerous presets that are available.

AMD’s FSR is open-source, but it can only be used with certain games and GPUs (GTX 10-series or AMD RX 460, or newer).

NVIDIA DLSS 2.0

AMD’s FSR and NVIDIA’s DLSS 2.0 (Deep Learning Super Sampling) both use artificial intelligence to improve the quality of upscaling. As a result, compared to FSR, you receive a higher frame rate with less impact on image quality.

DLSS 2.0, on the other hand, is not open-source. To utilize it, you must have a game that supports it and an NVIDIA GPU with Tensor Cores (RTX 20-series, 30-series, or newer).

DLSS 2.1, 2.2, and other versions are also available. In theory, they do the same thing, but in practice, they deliver better performance and/or less visual artifacts.

Some games still use the older DLSS 1.0 version, which can enhance performance but has a negative influence on image quality.

FAQS:

What Is Anti-Aliasing in Minecraft?

Minecraft’s design is meant to evoke the pixelated heroes of early video games. Aiming for a blocky aesthetic, the scenes and figures have been intentionally created that way. However, aliasing can cause the pixelated world of Minecraft to appear “jaggier” than it really is.

Options in Minecraft’s Options menu have an easy solution for those who have Windows 10 or the VR Edition. Anti-aliasing has been included to these editions of Minecraft as of the 0.15.0 Update. The processor will be taxed if you use any AA feature. The blur is another consideration.

What Is Anti-Aliasing in Games?

When curving lines render in PC games, a phenomenon known as “jaggies” or “aliasing” occurs, giving the impression of a flight of steps. Thus, “jaggies” was coined to describe its jagged edges. You won’t detect jaggies on a high-resolution screen because the high pixel count reduces their visibility.

Low-resolution screens don’t have enough pixels to smooth out these lines. Lines that should be smooth and curved become Lego-like stacks of steps.

Isn’t having a high-resolution output all you need?

If you run games at 120 frames per second, the graphics may appear clear and crisp, but processing power will be sacrificed. As for your games, if your processing hardware isn’t up to snuff, you’re looking at sluggish performance to the point of inability.

Anti-aliasing is a processor-friendly solution to “jaggies.” There are, of course, certain drawbacks to this strategy, such as blurriness and a decrease in processing speed. While this can have a negative influence on performance, it is still preferable to running your game at the maximum possible graphic setting.

What Is Anti-Aliasing in Photoshop?

Aliasing isn’t limited to computer games. When you use low-resolution photographs in Photoshop, you may also see it. Aliasing is the term used to describe the stair-like appearance that appears around the borders of a smooth image. Additionally, Photoshop provides a solution.

The anti-aliasing option can be activated by following the following steps:

Select Anti-aliasing from the Options menu.
In the Edit workspace, select the tool you want to use (Lasso, Magic Wand, Elliptical Marquee all work with Anti-aliased)
In the image window, click on the desired image.
Dotting with the mouse’s left button or long strokes by holding the left mouse button down can blur edges and create a more rounded look.

Aside from the boundaries of an image, anti-aliasing does not work. Feathering can be used to soften some of the image’s rough edges if you need to do so.

What Is Anti-Aliasing in Illustrator?

When you export photos to the web using Illustrator, you have the choice of anti-aliasing. When you select Save for Web, a drop-down choice called Art Optimized appears. There are three options available to you:

Anti-aliasing is not applied to the image.
Anti-aliasing or blurring is applied around any artwork in the image.
Text Optimized — Text in the image is anti-aliased or blurred.

Illustrator does not allow you to add anti-aliasing to an image you are currently working on. The lines appear smooth as you’re working on them, so you don’t need to.