Article

Setting Resource Storage Modes

Set a storage mode that defines the memory location and access permissions of a resource.

Overview

By choosing an appropriate storage mode, you can configure a buffer or texture to benefit from fast memory access and driver-level performance optimizations. This article describes how to set the storage mode for a buffer or texture. For guidance on which mode to choose, see Choosing a Resource Storage Mode in iOS and tvOS and Choosing a Resource Storage Mode in macOS.

Set a Storage Mode for a Buffer

Create a new MTLBuffer with the makeBuffer(length:options:) method and set its storage mode in the method’s options parameter.

MTLResourceOptions bufferOptions = MTLResourceStorageModePrivate;
id <MTLBuffer> buffer = [_device newBufferWithLength:256
                                             options:bufferOptions];

Set a Storage Mode for a Texture

Create a new MTLTextureDescriptor and set its storage mode in the descriptor’s storageMode property. Then create a new MTLTexture with the makeTexture(descriptor:) method.

let textureDescriptor = MTLTextureDescriptor.texture2DDescriptor(pixelFormat: .bgra8Unorm,
                                                                 width: 256,
                                                                 height: 256,
                                                                 mipmapped: true)
textureDescriptor.storageMode = .private
let texture = device.makeTexture(descriptor: textureDescriptor)

Topics

Resource Storage Modes by Platform

Choosing a Resource Storage Mode in iOS and tvOS

Choose an appropriate storage mode for your iOS and tvOS resources.

Choosing a Resource Storage Mode in macOS

Choose an appropriate storage mode for your macOS resources.