Depthenabled

Depthenabled is a term used in computing to describe a boolean configuration option that controls whether depth processing is active in a rendering or processing pipeline. When depthenabled is true, the system uses a depth buffer to store per-pixel depth values and performs depth testing to determine visibility among overlapping surfaces.

In practice, enabling depthenabled typically involves allocating and attaching a depth buffer to the rendering target, enabling depth testing, and clearing the depth buffer at the start of each frame. In graphics APIs, this corresponds to enabling depth tests, binding depth resources, and clearing the depth buffer. Disabling depthenabled can improve performance in scenarios where depth comparisons are unnecessary, such as 2D overlays or certain post-processing steps.

Depthenabled interacts with several hardware and software considerations. Depth buffers have fixed bit depths (for example, 16, 24, or 32 bits), and improper configuration of the near and far planes or projection parameters can lead to z-fighting, where two surfaces compete for the same pixel. When depthenabled is off, rendering may proceed without depth tests or writes, or may rely on alternative ordering schemes.

In modern engines, the depthenabled setting is often applied per render pass or per material, and may be combined with other tests such as stencil testing or depth clamping. Proper management of depth state is essential for correct occlusion, accurate rendering, and predictable performance across platforms and devices.

See also: depth buffer, z-buffer, depth test, depth precision, z-fighting.