---
title: "How OptiScaler works | OptiScaler"
description: "Understand how to use OptiScaler, choose an output upscaler, open the overlay, verify the active path, and tune settings without changing everything at once."
canonical: https://optiscaler.ink/guides/how-optiscaler-works-input-output
updated: 2026-10-18
---

# How OptiScaler works: input, output and overlay explained

Understand how to use OptiScaler, choose an output upscaler, open the overlay, verify the active path, and tune settings without changing everything at once.

## Facts (2026-10-18)

- **Version:** OptiScaler 0.9.4 (reference build, July 2026)
- **APIs:** DirectX 11, DirectX 12, Vulkan
- **Upscalers:** DLSS, FSR and XeSS inputs/outputs where compatible
- **Frame generation:** Experimental OptiFG (DirectX 12)
- **Overlay:** Insert key
- **Install:** ZIP extracted next to the main game executable
- **Platform:** Windows; Linux via Proton/Wine varies
- **Site:** Independent guide — not the official project site

## In short

Understand how to use OptiScaler, choose an output upscaler, open the overlay, verify the active path, and tune settings without changing everything at once.

## Steps

1. Identify the input: check whether the game exposes DLSS, FSR, XeSS or another supported temporal upscaler.

2. Install OptiScaler beside the game executable.

3. Open the overlay with Insert and select a compatible output backend and quality mode.

4. Verify the intended output is active, then tune sharpening, scaling or frame generation carefully.

## Facts that do not change

Reference build is OptiScaler 0.9.4. Install is a ZIP next to the main game executable; the overlay opens with Insert. Avoid online or anti-cheat protected games, and test offline first.

## FAQ

### What is OptiScaler?

OptiScaler is a community tool that can intercept supported in-game upscaler calls and redirect them to another supported upscaling backend, with additional tuning options.

### How does OptiScaler work in a game?

The game exposes an input upscaler, OptiScaler sits between the game and the selected output backend, and the chosen output handles the final upscaling path where compatibility allows.

### Does OptiScaler support DirectX 11?

Yes, DirectX 11 is supported, although the available output methods and behavior can differ from DirectX 12.

### Does OptiScaler support DirectX 12?

Yes. DirectX 12 has broad support and is also the API used by experimental OptiFG functionality.

## Related

- [OptiScaler guides: install, FSR4, Linux, performance and safety](https://optiscaler.ink/guides)
- [OptiScaler FAQ: the official 20 questions, answered](https://optiscaler.ink/faq)
- [OptiScaler install guide: clean setup from start to finish](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/install-optiscaler-clean-setup)
- [OptiScaler compatibility guide for DirectX 11, DirectX 12 and Vulkan](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/compatibility-dx11-dx12-vulkan)
- [Best OptiScaler performance settings: a practical tuning method](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/best-performance-settings)

## Download

ZIP next to the game executable: [Download OptiScaler](https://optiscaler.ink/download)

Markdown mirror: https://optiscaler.ink/guides/how-optiscaler-works-input-output.md