Available
by SourceForge.net :
Visit our web site at SourceForge : https://sourceforge.net/projects/aura/
note: This is a preliminary page containing some information and a downloadable development version of the project.
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Designed for non-expert scientists considering to use VR, Aura presents an easy-to-understand C++ API that extends basic available low-level graphics facilities like OpenGL or Direct3D with scene graph management paradigms and a VR programming framework. In short, Aura deals with the following features:
scene graph management: Like IRIS Performer, Aura maintains a scene graph. This graph can contain 3D geometry, as well as light sources and cameras.
state management: Aura provides full access to state variables (material properties, texture stages, etc.) at each geometry node of the graph. During rendering, state changes are kept to a minimum for optimal speed.
texture/image loading: Aura supports a variety of commonly used image formats. Currently supported are: JPG, PNG, TGA and RGB.
3D model/graph loading: Also, Aura supports loading of several graph formats. Currently supported are: LWO, NFF, Medit. In development are: PFA/PFB, IV, FLT
multipipe management: Fully hidden from the programmer, Aura deals with the multipipe programming and memory problems.
VR Framework: Aura supports immersive VR environments like the CAVE or the ImmersaDesk. Here, access to trackers is integrated seamlessly in management of the scene graph. On classical desktop settings, Aura runs as a VR simulator with familiar controls.
Easy to use C++ API: Aura presents a simple class hierarchy and simple and direct access to each object. Without compromising performance, the programmer can quickly create fully functional VR applications.
Currently supported platforms are:
SGI IRIX (glX window)
SGI IRIX with CAVELib (CAVE, ImmersaDesk)
Linux 2.x with OpenGL or Mesa (glX window)
Microsoft Windows 9x/2k with OpenGL (window or full-screen)
Aura can be extended with VIRPI and CAVEStudy to provide a fully integrated interactive visualization and measuring environment for arbitrary legacy simulation program.
Future plans for Aura include fixing existing bugs, adding new image/model formats, extending the VR framework, and providing bounding-box algorithms to do clipping and preliminary collision detection. Most importantly, Aura will be targeted at PC clusters that drive a tiled display wall, providing the same API for the programmer, but fully using distributed rendering on the cluster.
Desmond Germans, Hans
J.W. Spoelder, Luc Renambot and Henri E. Bal, "VIRPI:
A High-Level Toolkit for Interactive Scientific Visualization in Virtual Reality",
Proc. Immersive Projection Technology/Eurographics Virtual Environments Workshop
(IPT/EGVE), May 16-18, Stuttgart, Germany, 2001.
Check out the following related sites:
CAVERNSoft
Kirsi - Artificial Visual Reality Extension (site under construction!)
note: Aura is still in development, try the CVS tree at SourceForge.net
Development site: https://sourceforge.net/projects/aura/
Mailing list: http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/aura-news
If there are questions, bugs or special things that we need to know about, send an email to: renambot at users.sourceforge.net
click here for the automatically generated manual (out of date).
