Panda3D

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Panda3D
Basic data

developer Disney, Carnegie Mellon University ETC, Community
Publishing year 2002
Current  version 1.10.6
( March 19, 2020 )
operating system Platform independent
programming language C ++ , Python
category Game engine
License BSD
German speaking No
www.panda3d.org

Panda3D is a free game engine originally created by Disney VR and is currently being developed by Disney, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and a few volunteer programmers. The Panda3D engine is available for GNU / Linux , Windows and macOS . It can be programmed either in C ++ or Python and thus enables even beginners to create individual 3D programs.

features

Panda3D masters keyboard / mouse connection and a 3D display using OpenGL or DirectX in versions 8 and 9. Also included is an easy-to-use shader generator for many special effects, such as normal mapping , HDR or motion blur . Optionally, own shaders can also be integrated. Surround sound can be generated in the formats OpenAL , FMOD and Miles Sound System .

The engine contains extensive analysis and optimization tools, and collision tests can also be carried out. Panda 3D has its own physics system, complete integration of the Open Dynamics Engine and unofficial support for Nvidia PhysX . The software has a so-called finite state machine (also known as a finite state machine ). This is common for programming artificial intelligence . Files can be integrated with the help of a virtual file system. The system supports compression and encryption for this. Panda3D also includes an exporter and conversion tools for many 3D modeling tools and many formats. The software can read and display TrueType fonts and the graphical user interface (DirectGUI). Integration in wxWidgets applications is also possible.

Panda3D is distributed as free software under the terms of the modified (revised) BSD license .

Panda3D uses the 3D format "Egg", which is created directly by the exporters from 3ds Max , Maya , Blender etc. or can be converted from various formats at a later date. The Bam format, which is recommended for delivery to end customers, largely corresponds to the Egg format, but is version-specific and, in contrast to the Egg format, contains binary data.

history

Panda3D was originally developed by Disney VR, which was to create 3D exhibits for their theme parks on behalf of Disney. To make this possible, the Panda3D engine was developed. In the meantime, however, it has been developed a lot and bears little resemblance to the original program. Panda3D is currently being used in other VR theme park lanes and in the two online games "Toontown" and "Pirates of the Caribbean". There are also other commercial and open products that are / were created with the help of Panda3D and thanks to the liberal license can be distributed without major restrictions.

Community

Panda3D has meanwhile found many fans; More than 4000 users are currently registered in the forums (as of August 2010). Because Panda3D is free, it is also suitable for amateur programmers and you can already see some open source projects in the forums .

future

Panda3D is in a constant development process. Some Disney and CMU developers are busy adding more features; Volunteers are also finding their way into development.

literature

  • Christoph Lang: Panda3D 1.7 Game Developer's Cookbook . Packt Publishing Ltd, 2011, ISBN 978-1-84951-292-3 (English).
  • Dave Brian Mathews: Panda3D 1.6 Game Engine Beginner's Guide . Packt Publishing Ltd, 2011, ISBN 978-1-84951-272-5 (English).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ github.com .
  2. ↑ The panda3d Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page . In: Open Hub . (accessed on July 19, 2018).