HOOPS Visualize
| Developer(s) | Tech Soft 3D |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 2022
|
| Written in | C++, C# |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows 10, Linux (CentOS 7 / RHEL 7 / glibc 2.17), macOS 10.9, iOS 11.0, Android (operating system) 5.1, Xamarin[1] |
| Platform | x86, x86-64, ARM64, armeabi-v7a, arm64-v8a[1] |
| Type | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Website | www |
HOOPS Visualize is a 3D computer graphics software designed to render graphics across both mobile and desktop platforms.[2] HOOPS Visualize provides 3D Graphics API to render CAD models. It's part of the HOOPS 3D Application Framework SDK. Since June 2018 it's licensed via Siemens PLM Software.[3]
History
[edit]The HOOPS 3D Graphics System was originally developed in the mid-1980s in the CADIF Lab at Cornell University. Ithaca Software later formed to commercialize the technology. Subsequently, HOOPS was widely adopted for Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software.
In 1993, Autodesk, Inc. acquired Ithaca Software.[4] In 1996, HOOPS was spun out of Autodesk by Tech Soft 3D, Inc.,[5] which continues to develop and sell the HOOPS 3D Graphics System under the name HOOPS Visualize. The software is made available free of charge to educational institutions.
Overview
[edit]The program features a unified API that allows users to add interactive 3D visualization to both desktop and mobile applications. HOOPS Visualize provides a hierarchical scene management engine capable of handling a range of graphics entities, together with a graphics pipeline and interaction handling algorithms. It includes clash detection, multi-plane sectioning, and large model visualization, along with many other features.
Features include:
- Retained-mode graphics system with a supporting database
- Data is structured hierarchically in a scene graph[6]
- Able to use many different contexts for rendering, including DirectX, OpenGL, as well as software and hardcopy
- Interfaces with C, C++, C#, and Java
- Out-of-core rendering mode for visualizing large point-cloud datasets
- Integrates with other engineering SDKs like ACIS, Parasolid, RealDWG, and HOOPS Exchange, as well as industry standard CAD formats
- PMI support, mark-up, model trees, point clouds
- Compatible with all major graphical user interfaces
- Platform independent input architecture[7]
Technical Overview
[edit]Internally it uses OpenGL or DirectX (Windows).[3] Tech Soft 3D has developed its own framework for event handling.[3]
The graphics kernel (Core Graphics) is based on the hierarchichal scene graph data structures.[3]
File formats
[edit]| File format | Imports | Exports | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSF | Yes | Yes | HOOPS Stream File |
| OBJ | Yes | Partial | Limited export |
| STL | Yes | No | |
| PTS/PTX/XYZ | Yes | ? | |
| Parasolid | Yes | ? | All file formats supported by Kernel |
| Autodesk RealDWG | Yes | ? | All file formats supported by SDK |
| PostScript | No | Yes | |
| No | Yes | ||
| DXT1 | No | Yes | |
| DXT3 | No | Yes | |
| DXT5 | No | Yes | |
| JPG | No | Yes | |
| PNG | No | Yes | |
| TGA | No | Yes | |
| RGB | No | Yes | |
| RGBA | No | Yes | |
| ARGB | No | Yes | |
| Grayscale | No | Yes | |
| Mapped8 | No | Yes |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Supported Platforms — HOOPS Visualize HPS 2023 U1 Documentation". docs.techsoft3d.com. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
- ^ "Technical Overview — HOOPS Visualize HPS 2023 U1 Documentation". docs.techsoft3d.com. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
- ^ a b c d "Tech Soft 3D's HOOPS Visualize Now Available from Siemens PLM Software | Tech Soft 3D". www.techsoft3d.com. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
- ^ Menezes, Deelip. "A Long Conversation with Ron Fritz". Retrieved 2013-01-30.
- ^ Folini, Franco. "An Interview with Ron Fritz, Managing Partner of Tech Soft 3D (HOOPS3D)". Retrieved 2013-01-30.
- ^ Eastman, J. Ronald (1988). "Graphics Programming goes 3-D". Digital Review: 41.
- ^ Leler, WM; Merry, Jim (1996). 3D with HOOPS: Build Interactive 3d Graphics into your C++ Applications. Longman Pub Group. pp. 383–384. ISBN 978-0-201-87025-1.
- ^ "Supported File Formats — HOOPS Visualize HPS 2023 U1 Documentation". docs.techsoft3d.com. Retrieved 2023-04-20.