List of 3D graphics libraries

3D graphics have become so popular, particularly in video games, that specialized APIs (application programming interfaces) have been created to ease the processes in all stages of computer graphics generation. These APIs have also proved vital to computer graphics hardware manufacturers, as they provide a way for programmers to access the hardware in an abstract way, while still taking advantage of the special hardware of any specific graphics card.

The first 3D graphics framework was probably Core, published by the ACM in 1977.

Low-level 3D API

These APIs for 3D computer graphics are particularly popular:

• X3D
• OpenGL and the OpenGL Shading Language
• OpenGL ES 3D API for embedded devices
• Direct3D (a subset of DirectX)
• RenderMan
• RenderWare
• Glide API
• TruDimension LC Glasses and 3D monitor API
• QuickDraw 3D developed by Apple Computer starting in 1995, abandoned in 1998

JavaScript-based API

WebGL is a JavaScript interface for OpenGL-ES-2.x API, promoted by Khronos. This is gaining more interest recently, as this enables applications to use native graphics.

High-level 3D API

There are also higher-level 3D scene-graph APIs which provide additional functionality on top of the lower-level rendering API. Such libraries under active development include:

• ClanLib
• CrystalSpace
• Horde3D
• HOOPS 3D Graphics System
• Irrlicht Engine
• Java 3D
• JMonkey Engine
• Mobile 3D Graphics API (M3G; JSR-184)
• JT Open from Siemens PLM Software
• Nvidia Scene Graph (NVSG)
• OGRE
• Open Inventor
• OpenGL Performer
• OpenSceneGraph
• OpenSG
• QSDK
• Quesa
• Vega Prime by Presagis
• VR-Vantage by VT MAK

JavaScript-based engines

There is more interest in web browser based high-level API for 3D graphics engines. Below mentioned are some.

• CopperLicht
• O3D

Flash-based engines

3D engines have been developed on the Adobe Flash platform to run in web browsers.

• Away3D

See also

• Graphics library
• Game engine
• 3D computer graphics software