Screen-Space Ambient Occlusion (SSAO) is a real-time shading and rendering technique used in 3D graphics to enhance the depth and realism of a scene. SSAO simulates the way light is blocked or occluded in small crevices, corners, or where objects are close to one another. By doing this, it adds subtle shadows to these areas, creating a more natural and immersive visual effect.
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| Scene without ambient occlusion | Ambient occlusion only | Scene with ambient occlusion |
Ambient Occlusion Settings
To access ambient occlusion settings:
- Open the Settings Window.
- Navigate to Graphics > Ambient Occlusion.
Once there, you can configure the following settings:
Enable
This setting toggles SSAO on or off. Disabling this will remove all ambient occlusion effects from the scene.
Sample count
This setting adjusts the quality of SSAO with options including Low, Medium, High, and Ultra. For convenience, it is recommended to keep this setting at the default Medium as it balances quality and performance without significant changes in appearance.
Distance
Defines the spatial range within which objects contribute to shading. Increasing the distance allows occlusion effects to include objects that are farther apart for broader occlusion effects. Conversely, reducing the distance focuses the effect on nearby surfaces for finer details.
Intensity
Controls the strength of the ambient occlusion. Higher intensity creates darker and more pronounced shadows, enhancing the depth effect. However, very high values can introduce artifacts, so use them carefully.
Blur
This setting should always be left enabled to prevent SSAO artifacts. This prevents common issues like visible grid patterns in the shading, ensuring smooth visuals.