> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ipgames.gitbook.io/htrace-ao/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ipgames.gitbook.io/htrace-ao/settings-and-properties/gtao-settings/gtao-denoising/spatial-denoising.md).
# Spatial Denoising
This page describes parameters under the "Spatial" foldout that are specific to GTAO mode.
## Filter Type
Defines the spatial filtering approach.
* **Box:** gathers samples from neighboring pixels. Provides stronger noise reduction and smoother results, but may over-blur details at grazing angles and at a distance.
* **Disk:** uses an anisotropic disk aligned with the surface normal, with radius adjusted by distance. Better preserves fine details, but can introduce some low-frequency noise.
## Pass Count \[Box]
Controls the number of box passes. Each consecutive pass samples more distant pixels, so increasing this value makes the blur wider and stronger at the cost of performance.
*Performance impact: small*
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Pass Count 1" %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Pass Count 3" %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Filter Radius \[Disk]
Defines the radius of the anisotropic filtering disk. The higher the radius, the stronger the noise reduction, however, beyond a certain value, halo-like artifacts may appear around objects. It is recommended to use the lowest value that provides sufficient noise reduction.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Setting this parameter to **0** disables the spatial filter for the entire frame except for disocclusion areas, retaining the sharpness of temporal denoising on converged pixels while applying spatial denoising to non-accumulated areas - the best of both worlds.
{% endhint %}
*Performance impact: small*
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Filter Radius 0.1" %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Filter Radius 1" %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Filter Adaptivity \[Disk]
Adaptively shrinks the filter radius in crevices and other highly occluded areas to better preserve details from over-blurring. Use with care, high values may reduce the filter's effectiveness!
*Performance impact: none*
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Filter Adaptivity 0" %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Filter Adaptivity 1" %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Double Sample Count
Increases the number of spatial sample taps by a factor of 2, making the spatial filter twice as costly but twice as efficient.
*Performance impact: moderate*
