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vkdt is an open-source, GPU-first workflow toolbox for processing raw stills and video. Instead of locking users into a fixed set of filters, it builds image and video processing as a configurable node graph. That makes it suited to workflows such as raw-photo development, timelapses, raw video, image alignment, and highlight inpainting—but its Vulkan-based design and evolving platform support are important considerations before you install it.
How vkdt processes images and video
vkdt represents processing as a directed graph of connected operations, or nodes. A graph can have multiple inputs and outputs, and feedback connections support iterative or multi-frame work. Its processing runs in GLSL shaders through Vulkan; the interface can display textures while they remain on the GPU. This architecture is intended to keep demanding operations interactive, though the project material does not provide an independent benchmark or guarantee of performance on a particular computer.
Rather than treating a raw file as a sequence of fixed adjustments, users can configure the graph itself. The supplied presets provide a starting point, while the command-line utility can run a graph for batch work.
What happens in the default raw-still workflow
The documented default pipeline processes a photographic raw file in this order:
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- Denoising: includes black-point subtraction and removal of black borders used for noise estimation.
- Highlight reconstruction: attempts to recover highlight detail before demosaicing.
- Demosaicing: converts Bayer or X-Trans sensor data into a colour image.
- Crop and orientation handling: applies crop, perspective, and orientation operations using EXIF information.
- Colour processing: includes white balance, the camera colour matrix, and gamut corrections.
- Tone shaping: applies a film-style tone curve.
- Local adjustments: applies local contrast and shadow/highlight adjustments.
This is a default graph, not an unchangeable recipe. The README identifies default-darkroom.i-raw and default.i-raw as presets users can edit to change the default processing graph.
Which media formats and workflows does it cover?
The project’s module reference describes separate inputs for several kinds of source material and outputs for still images, previews, and video. The available module depends on the relevant build support; the list below describes the project’s documented modules, not a promise that every packaged build enables every format.
| Workflow or format | Documented module or output |
|---|---|
| Photographic raw stills and timelapses | i-raw |
| Magic Lantern raw video | i-mlv |
| MotionCam raw video | i-mcraw |
| Generic video input | i-vid |
| Other image inputs | JPEG, OpenEXR, HDR, and PFM |
| Still-image and preview outputs | JPEG, OpenEXR, PFM, and BC1 thumbnails |
| Video outputs | H.264 or ProRes |
| Web-oriented export | o-web, which delegates to JPEG and video exporters |
Release notes also describe a GPU-based MotionCam decoder intended for real-time use, 10-bit/ProRes video output, improved colour management, neural-network denoising infrastructure, and an o-web module that can export JPG and MP4 from a session. These are release-note descriptions; verify that a specific build includes the modules and options you need before relying on them.
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Can you customise a workflow or process a batch?
Yes. The graph is the central point of customisation: users can change the supplied raw presets rather than being restricted to a fixed filter sequence. The CLI uses the same graph for batch processing, replacing display nodes with export nodes. That offers a path from an interactive workflow to repeatable exports without implying that every GUI display operation is itself an export operation.
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What installation options and prerequisites are documented?
The project README documents nightly packages built by GitHub CI, a NixOS package and flake, an Arch Linux vkdt-git package, and building from source. Nightly packages can change as development continues, so check the package’s current contents and instructions when choosing one.
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| Route | Documented option | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Nightly package | Packages built by GitHub CI | Nightly builds follow active development and may differ from one another. |
| NixOS / Nix | nix-shell -p vkdt or nix run . |
The README documents a NixOS package and flake; confirm the command and flake context for the package you use. |
| Arch Linux | vkdt-git |
This is the documented Arch package name. |
| Source build | From bin/, run make -j20 |
Install the required development libraries and build tools for the features you want before compiling. |
The documented dependency set includes Vulkan and glslang, GLFW, and either rawspeed or rawler for raw input. It also lists libjpeg, FFmpeg libraries for video, ALSA for sound, and build tools including make, pkg-config, clang, sed, and xxd. Optional exiv2, ALSA, and FFmpeg components enable additional metadata, audio, and video functionality. Exact needs depend on the build and features selected, so a minimal installation may not provide every listed capability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which platforms are supported?
The repository FAQ identifies native support for NixOS, Arch Linux, and macOS on both Intel and Apple silicon. It also mentions an Android port as unfinished. Because vkdt is actively developed, platform support and package availability can change; check the project’s current instructions for the target system rather than assuming that a feature or package exists in every release.
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Wayland is officially supported, with GLFW 3.4 or newer recommended. Colour-management behaviour in a Wayland session depends in part on the compositor and display-profile tooling, so support for Wayland does not by itself establish that a particular monitor profile will be applied as expected.
What should you consider before choosing vkdt?
- GPU and graphics stack: vkdt’s processing model depends on Vulkan, so a compatible, working Vulkan setup is a practical prerequisite.
- Workflow flexibility: the configurable graph and CLI batch route are useful if you want to modify or reuse processing workflows rather than only adjust images through fixed controls.
- Media needs: the documented modules cover photographic raw, selected raw-video formats, generic video, and common image inputs, but feature availability can depend on the build and its optional libraries.
- Colour-critical work: full-window colour management and 10-bit display output are among the project’s stated features; actual results also depend on the build, display, operating system, and colour-management setup.
- Evidence of speed or adoption: the project describes itself as high-performance, but the available material does not establish a named independent benchmark or a user-population figure. Repository stars and forks are not substitutes for either measure.
In practical terms, vkdt is most distinctive when a user wants to shape a GPU-based processing graph across stills, timelapses, or supported video workflows. Before committing to it for a specific camera or delivery format, confirm that the required input, processing modules, output encoder, and platform support are present in the build you plan to use.
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