What Does SSAO do

[tonewww]

anyways ive been wondering what the ssao option does. ive heard it affects shading but i see no visual difference changing the setting from medium to high other then fps drops. can anyone show me some comparison screenshots with it off/on and different samples and w/e thanks in advance

[nofsky]

SSAO simulates shadows by making a black glow around objects depending on the depth difference to the background.

Here's a video that shows it pretty well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmyOCowcAT4

The difference between medium and high is just the resolution (high = screen resolution, medium = 1/4 screen resolution) so at medium it's a bit blockier but it's hardly noticeable.

[Kein]

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Spac..._Occlusion