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Pixel formats

The [DirectXPixelFormat(https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps/windows.graphics.directx.directxpixelformat.aspx) enum includes all the many and varied pixel formats used by Direct3D and DXGI, but only a few of these options are supported by Win2D (or by Direct2D upon which Win2D is built).

If in doubt, pixel format B8G8R8A8UIntNormalized and CanvasAlphaMode.Premultiplied are good defaults for most purposes.

All the formats listed below are supported by Direct3D feature level 11 GPU hardware (used in desktop computers and most tablets). Feature level 9 GPUs (which are found in phones) only support a subset.

Note

If you want to use one of the formats marked as "Not supported on all devices", you should first check IsPixelFormatSupported(DirectXPixelFormat), or catch exceptions if the resource creation fails and be prepared to fall back on one of the universally available options.

CanvasBitmap formats

DirectXPixelFormat Compatible CanvasAlphaMode-s Notes
B8G8R8A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore The default format
B8G8R8A8UIntNormalizedSrgb Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
B8G8R8X8UIntNormalized Ignore
R8G8B8A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore
R8G8B8A8UIntNormalizedSrgb Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R16G16B16A16Float Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R32G32B32A32Float Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R10G10B10A2UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R16G16B16A16UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R8G8UIntNormalized Ignore Not supported on all devices. Bitmaps of this format can be used as effect sources, but are not directly drawable.
R8UIntNormalized Ignore Not supported on all devices. Bitmaps of this format can be used as effect sources, but are not directly drawable.
A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Straight Bitmaps of this format can be used as opacity masks or effect sources, but are not directly drawable.
BC1UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore
BC2UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore
BC3UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore

CanvasRenderTarget formats

DirectXPixelFormat Compatible CanvasAlphaMode-s Notes
B8G8R8A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore The default format
B8G8R8A8UIntNormalizedSrgb Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R8G8B8A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore
R8G8B8A8UIntNormalizedSrgb Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R16G16B16A16Float Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R32G32B32A32Float Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
R16G16B16A16UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices
A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Straight

CanvasSwapChain formats

DirectXPixelFormat Compatible CanvasAlphaMode-s Notes
B8G8R8A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore The default format
R8G8B8A8UIntNormalized Premultiplied, Ignore
R16G16B16A16Float Premultiplied, Ignore Not supported on all devices