Research Article

Comparing and evaluating computer graphics and visualization software

  1. Robert S. Laramee*

Article first published online: 17 SEP 2007

DOI: 10.1002/spe.850

Issue

Software: Practice and Experience

Software: Practice and Experience

Volume 38, Issue 7, pages 735–760, June 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Laramee, R. S. (2008), Comparing and evaluating computer graphics and visualization software. Software: Practice and Experience, 38: 735–760. doi: 10.1002/spe.850

Author Information

  1. The Visual and Interactive Computing Group, Department of Computer Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, U.K.

*The Visual and Interactive Computing Group, Department of Computer Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, U.K.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 APR 2008
  2. Article first published online: 17 SEP 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 17 JUL 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 16 JUL 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 23 MAR 2007

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Keywords:

  • computer graphics software;
  • visualization software;
  • graphics API;
  • visualization API

Abstract

When starting a new computer graphics or visualization software project, students, researchers, and businesses alike must decide whether or not to start from scratch or with third-party software. Since computer graphics and visualization applications are typically quite large, developers often build upon existing software libraries in order to take advantage of the tens of thousands of hours worth of development and testing already invested. Thus, developers and managers must face the decision of which library to build on. We present a side-by-side comparison and evaluation of four popular, state-of-the-art visualization and computer graphics libraries, namely the Visualization Toolkit (VTK), Open Inventor, Coin3D, and Hoops 3D. The evaluation is based on the feature set, ease of installation, development of a benchmark application, documentation, and technical support for each package. The results of our comparison and evaluation are described and recommendations are given as for whom the libraries are best suited. The VTK prevails on top in many of the aspects we compared and evaluated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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