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New macOS Rendering Pipeline

By / 28 April 2025 / 2 minutes of reading

Java 17 introduces an important update for macOS users with the new rendering pipeline based on Apple’s Metal framework. This change was made to replace the older OpenGL pipeline, which Apple has been deprecating over the years. The new pipeline improves performance and ensures better long-term compatibility with modern macOS systems.

Why the Change?

  • OpenGL Deprecation: Apple announced the deprecation of OpenGL in macOS 10.14 (Mojave). Since then, Apple has been promoting its own Metal framework for better graphics rendering.

  • Metal Optimization: Metal is designed to offer better performance, greater efficiency, and is optimized for Apple’s hardware, particularly their M1/M2 chips.

  • Future Compatibility: By adopting Metal, Java can stay compatible with future versions of macOS, which may eventually drop OpenGL completely.

Features of the New Pipeline

  1. Faster Rendering: Metal provides faster graphics performance compared to OpenGL, ensuring smoother rendering for Java applications on macOS.

  2. Long-Term Support: By transitioning to Metal, Java ensures that applications will continue to perform well on newer macOS versions, as Apple plans to focus exclusively on Metal.

  3. Integration with macOS: The Metal pipeline integrates better with other macOS features, improving overall user experience.

Enabling the Metal Pipeline

The Metal-based rendering pipeline is experimental in Java 17 and is not enabled by default. However, you can easily enable it by adding the following option when launching your Java application:

-Dsun.java2d.metal=trueCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

This will switch the rendering pipeline from OpenGL to Metal for improved graphics performance.

Benefits

  • Performance: The Metal pipeline allows Java applications to take advantage of macOS’s native GPU features for faster and more efficient rendering.

  • Future-Proofing: Since OpenGL is being phased out, using Metal ensures that Java applications remain compatible with future macOS updates.

  • Compatibility: The Metal pipeline works well on both Intel-based Macs and Apple’s new M1/M2 chips, providing better performance across the board.

With the new macOS rendering pipeline based on Apple Metal, Java 17 ensures that developers can continue building high-performance applications that are compatible with future macOS versions. While still experimental, this pipeline lays the groundwork for a more efficient and reliable graphics experience on macOS.

As Java’s graphics rendering evolves, transitioning to Metal will help Java stay aligned with modern macOS standards and provide developers with the tools needed to create faster, smoother applications.

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