VKD3D

Overview

VKD3D is ranked #13 of 27 in game compatibility layers on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.

Compared on game compatibility layers

Runtime model

translation + runtimegitlab.winehq.org

DirectX support

directx 12gitlab.winehq.org

Vulkan support

Yesgitlab.winehq.org

Anti-cheat status

not statedgitlab.winehq.org

Facts

Purpose

VKD3D is a set of libraries and tools for porting Direct3D applications to other platforms.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Graphics backend

Its low-level Direct3D 12 implementation is built on Vulkan.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Shader translation

The shader library translates among formats including HLSL, DXIL, DXBC, SPIR-V, and Direct3D shader formats.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Shader outputs

GLSL and Metal Shading Language output are described as works in progress and are not considered ready for release.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Developer tools

VKD3D includes a command-line HLSL shader compiler and a utility for inspecting and manipulating DXBC.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Application integration

The utilities library provides familiar Direct3D entry points such as D3D12CreateDevice() and D3DCompile().repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Windowing limitation

VKD3D does not implement DXGI interfaces for adapter enumeration, swapchains, or windowing; applications must provide these or use a library such as GLFW, SDL, or Qt.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Platform examples

The project describes porting Direct3D applications to Vulkan or OpenGL on Linux and Metal on macOS.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

License

The project is made available under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 or later.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Build requirements

Building requires SPIRV-Headers, Vulkan-Headers version 1.3.228 or later, Perl, and libjson-perl.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Development and CI

The project says development takes place on Wine GitLab, where merge requests are automatically tested with GitLab CI.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Debug interface

The project says its environment variables are mostly for debugging and are not a stable interface, so they may change or be removed.repo.or.cz · 4 Oct 2026

Where it ranks on Specifiction

• Best Game Compatibility Layers in 2026#13 of 27

Sources

• repo.or.cz/vkd3d.git· checked 4 Oct 2026