WEBGL_compressed_texture_pvrtc

The WEBGL_compressed_texture_pvrtc extension is part of the WebGL API and exposes four PVRTC compressed texture formats.

Compressed textures reduce the amount of memory needed to store a texture on the GPU, allowing for higher resolution textures or more of the same resolution textures.

WebGL extensions are available using the WebGLRenderingContext.getExtension() method. For more information, see also Using Extensions in the WebGL tutorial.

Availability: PVRTC is typically only available on mobile devices with PowerVR chipsets. It is used in all generations of the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and supported on certain Android devices that use a PowerVR GPU.

This extension is available to both, WebGL1 and WebGL2 contexts.

Note: On iOS devices, this extension is named WEBKIT_WEBGL_compressed_texture_pvrtc.

Constants

The compressed texture formats are exposed by four constants and can be used in two functions: compressedTexImage2D() (where the height and width parameters must be powers of 2) and compressedTexSubImage2D() (where the the height and width parameters must equal the current values of the existing texture and the xoffset and yoffset parameters must be 0).

ext.COMPRESSED_RGB_PVRTC_4BPPV1_IMG
RGB compression in 4-bit mode. One block for each 4×4 pixels.
ext.COMPRESSED_RGBA_PVRTC_4BPPV1_IMG
RGBA compression in 4-bit mode. One block for each 4×4 pixels.
ext.COMPRESSED_RGB_PVRTC_2BPPV1_IMG
RGB compression in 2-bit mode. One block for each 8×4 pixels.
ext.COMPRESSED_RGBA_PVRTC_2BPPV1_IMG
RGBA compression in 2-bit mode. One block for each 8×4 pixels.

Examples

var ext = gl.getExtension('WEBGL_compressed_texture_pvrtc');

var texture = gl.createTexture();
gl.bindTexture(gl.TEXTURE_2D, texture);

gl.compressedTexImage2D(gl.TEXTURE_2D, 0, ext.COMPRESSED_RGB_PVRTC_4BPPV1_IMG, 512, 512, 0, textureData);

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WEBGL_compressed_texture_pvrtc
The definition of 'WEBGL_compressed_texture_pvrtc' in that specification.
Draft Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
WEBGL_compressed_texture_pvrtcChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 79Firefox Full support 18
Full support 18
No support ? — 58
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: MOZ_
IE ? Opera Full support YesSafari ? WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android ? Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS ? Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.

See also