> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/code/rendering/texture-filtering.md).

# Texture Filtering

## Introduction

Texture filtering controls how Gum samples textures (sprites, NineSlices, and fonts) when they are drawn at a size that differs from their native resolution. When a texture is scaled up or down, the renderer must decide how to map source texels to screen pixels. Gum supports two modes:

* **Point** — nearest-neighbor sampling. Each screen pixel takes the color of the single nearest texel, keeping edges crisp and hard. This is the right choice for pixel-art, where blurring would ruin the intended look. Point is the default.
* **Linear** — bilinear sampling. Each screen pixel blends the nearest texels, producing a smooth, antialiased result when scaled. This suits high-resolution art and UI that is rendered at many sizes.

Filtering is a **render-state setting** applied globally or per layer. It is not a property of an individual sprite — you cannot make one sprite point-filtered and another linear-filtered within the same layer.

## Setting the Global Filter

`Renderer.TextureFilter` is a global static that controls filtering for everything Gum draws. Set it once at startup:

```csharp
// Initialize
RenderingLibrary.Graphics.Renderer.TextureFilter =
    Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Graphics.TextureFilter.Linear;
```

`Renderer.TextureFilter` defaults to `Point`, so a game renders with crisp, pixel-art filtering unless you change it.

## Per-Layer Override

A layer can override the global filter through its `IsLinearFilteringEnabled` property, a nullable `bool`:

* `true` — force Linear filtering on this layer.
* `false` — force Point filtering on this layer.
* `null` (default) — inherit the global `Renderer.TextureFilter`.

```csharp
// Initialize
layer.IsLinearFilteringEnabled = true;
```

This lets you, for example, keep crisp Point filtering for a pixel-art game world while smoothing a single scaled overlay layer (or the reverse). For more on layers, see [Ordering, Layers, and Popups](/gum/code/ordering-layers-and-popups.md).

## Relationship to the Tool's Texture Filter Setting

The Gum tool exposes the same Point/Linear choice as a **Texture Filter** project property — see [Project Properties](/gum/gum-tool/project-properties.md). To apply texture filtering at runtime, set `Renderer.TextureFilter` (or a per-layer override) in code as shown above.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/code/rendering/texture-filtering.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.