10 Popular C++ 3D Graphic libraries 2023

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by SK dot icon Updated: Jan 4, 2023

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In the branch of computer science known as computer graphics, techniques for digitally synthesizing and modifying visual content are explored. 3D graphics contribute to various applications these days. Animation of 3D pictures raised the demand for CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) in movies and video games, creating images closer to reality. Visualizations on computer screens are constructed using a variety of algorithms and methods. C++ helps comprehend, process, and create graphics with a rich visual experience. 3D graphics are the contrast of two-dimensional (2D) images. Artists often generate a 3D model consisting of a wireframe and polygons, which are given color, effects, movements, texturing, and lighting and then rendered as a 3D computer picture. C++-coded visuals are used to produce effects, models, animations, and simulations in real time. The 2D system uses only two coordinates named X and Y, while 3D uses an extra coordinate called Z.

 

The OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) industrial standard API for creating 3D (including 2D) graphics is cross-platform, hardware-accelerated, and language-independent. Modern computers have dedicated GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), each with its memory to speed up graphics rendering. The software interface for graphics hardware is called OpenGL. OpenGL graphic rendering directives sent by your programs could be focused on and sped up by the graphics hardware. The method described here simplifies the programmatic construction of geometry within the constraints of a production-level language, C++. The system's implementation is strongly object-oriented and depends on multiple dispatching. The system can be easily expanded, and new geometric operations and primitives can be easily added. New media formats, such as music and image, could be introduced to the system.

  

Using these libraries, we can accomplish jobs more quickly, effectively, and with fewer lines of repetitious code than without them. It makes it simple to develop several feature modules for dynamic distribution from closely tied modules to particular features. The wide adoption of C++ by the developers of IDEs, editors, compilers, test frameworks, and other tools makes it easier to use. C++ libraries are typically used in User Interface and Graphics applications. Various C++ libraries help in scientific visualization to contribute to the entertainment, gaming, and computer-aided design sectors. A few examples of C++ libraries are - OpenMVG, Horde3D, 3d-game-shaders, s2geometry, hello-webgpu, NVISII, PixelArtShader, assimp, permafrost-engine, and Urho3D.


Check out the list below to find more popular C++ 3D Graphic libraries for your app development: 

C++ doticonstar image 15589 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
no licences License: No License (null)

🎮 A step-by-step guide to implementing SSAO, depth of field, lighting, normal mapping, and more for your 3D game.

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            3d-game-shaders-for-beginnersby lettier

            C++ doticon star image 15589 doticonVersion:Currentdoticonno licences License: No License

            🎮 A step-by-step guide to implementing SSAO, depth of field, lighting, normal mapping, and more for your 3D game.
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                      assimpby assimp

                      C++ doticonstar image 9153 doticonVersion:v5.2.5doticon
                      License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                      The official Open-Asset-Importer-Library Repository. Loads 40+ 3D-file-formats into one unified and clean data structure.

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                                assimpby assimp

                                C++ doticon star image 9153 doticonVersion:v5.2.5doticon License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                                The official Open-Asset-Importer-Library Repository. Loads 40+ 3D-file-formats into one unified and clean data structure.
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                                          permafrost-engineby eduard-permyakov

                                          C doticonstar image 2505 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                          License: Strong Copyleft (GPL-3.0)

                                          An OpenGL RTS game engine written in C

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                                                    permafrost-engineby eduard-permyakov

                                                    C doticon star image 2505 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon License: Strong Copyleft (GPL-3.0)

                                                    An OpenGL RTS game engine written in C
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                                                              openMVGby openMVG

                                                              C++ doticonstar image 4891 doticonVersion:v2.0doticon
                                                              License: Weak Copyleft (MPL-2.0)

                                                              open Multiple View Geometry library. Basis for 3D computer vision and Structure from Motion.

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                                                                        openMVGby openMVG

                                                                        C++ doticon star image 4891 doticonVersion:v2.0doticon License: Weak Copyleft (MPL-2.0)

                                                                        open Multiple View Geometry library. Basis for 3D computer vision and Structure from Motion.
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                                                                                  s2geometryby google

                                                                                  C++ doticonstar image 1993 doticonVersion:v0.10.0doticon
                                                                                  License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

                                                                                  Computational geometry and spatial indexing on the sphere

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                                                                                            s2geometryby google

                                                                                            C++ doticon star image 1993 doticonVersion:v0.10.0doticon License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

                                                                                            Computational geometry and spatial indexing on the sphere
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                                                                                                      Horde3Dby horde3d

                                                                                                      C++ doticonstar image 1377 doticonVersion:v2.0.2doticon
                                                                                                      no licences License: No License (null)

                                                                                                      Horde3D is a small 3D rendering and animation engine. It is written in an effort to create an engine being as lightweight and conceptually clean as possible.

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                                                                                                                Horde3Dby horde3d

                                                                                                                C++ doticon star image 1377 doticonVersion:v2.0.2doticonno licences License: No License

                                                                                                                Horde3D is a small 3D rendering and animation engine. It is written in an effort to create an engine being as lightweight and conceptually clean as possible.
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                                                                                                                          hello-webgpuby cwoffenden

                                                                                                                          C++ doticonstar image 215 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                                          no licences License: No License (null)

                                                                                                                          Cross-platform C++ example for WebGPU and Dawn

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                                                                                                                                    hello-webgpuby cwoffenden

                                                                                                                                    C++ doticon star image 215 doticonVersion:Currentdoticonno licences License: No License

                                                                                                                                    Cross-platform C++ example for WebGPU and Dawn
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                                                                                                                                              NVISIIby owl-project

                                                                                                                                              C++ doticonstar image 152 doticonVersion:v1.1doticon
                                                                                                                                              License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

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                                                                                                                                                        NVISIIby owl-project

                                                                                                                                                        C++ doticon star image 152 doticonVersion:v1.1doticon License: Permissive (Apache-2.0)

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                                                                                                                                                                  PixelArtShaderby kushi34123616bd

                                                                                                                                                                  C++ doticonstar image 38 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                                                                                  no licences License: No License (null)

                                                                                                                                                                  Render like PixelArts from 3D model

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                                                                                                                                                                            PixelArtShaderby kushi34123616bd

                                                                                                                                                                            C++ doticon star image 38 doticonVersion:Currentdoticonno licences License: No License

                                                                                                                                                                            Render like PixelArts from 3D model
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                                                                                                                                                                                      Urho3Dby xamarin

                                                                                                                                                                                      C++ doticonstar image 18 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                                                                                                      License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                                                      Clone of the Urho3D repository

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                                                                                                                                                                                                Urho3Dby xamarin

                                                                                                                                                                                                C++ doticon star image 18 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                                                                Clone of the Urho3D repository
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