Descriptors are Hard - Resource Mapping in Modern Graphics APIs

Explore the complexities of resource mapping in modern graphics drivers through this 50-minute conference talk from XDC 2025. Gain insights into one of the most challenging aspects of graphics programming: accessing resources that exist outside shader code. Learn how OpenGL, Vulkan, and D3D12 each take fundamentally different approaches to solving resource mapping problems, while shader compilation itself remains a well-understood domain. Discover the technical intricacies of resource mapping from both API and hardware perspectives, understanding how these different layers interact and influence driver design decisions. Examine recent advances in Vulkan that aim to improve the resource mapping situation and make graphics development more efficient. Understand why descriptors present such significant challenges in graphics driver development and how the industry continues to evolve solutions to address these fundamental issues.