Open Source VR Development Software
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VR Development Software
View 26 business solutionsBrowse free open source VR Development software and projects below. Use the toggles on the left to filter open source VR Development software by OS, license, language, programming language, and project status.
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REFramework
Scripting platform, modding framework and VR support for RE Engine
A mod framework, scripting platform, and modding tool for RE Engine games. Inspired by and uses code from Kanan. Supports Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village, Devil May Cry 5, Monster Hunter Rise. Lua Scripting API (All games), VR, Generic 6DOF VR support for all games, motion controls for RE2/RE3 (RE7 and RE8 motion controls are still WIP!), first person (RE2, RE3), free camera (All games), scene timescale (All games), manual flashlight (RE2, RE3, RE8), FOV slider & vignette disabler (RE2, RE3, RE8). -
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OpenVR SDK
API and runtime that allows access to VR hardware
OpenVR is an API and runtime that allows access to VR hardware from multiple vendors without requiring that applications have specific knowledge of the hardware they are targeting. This repository is an SDK that contains the API and samples. The runtime is under SteamVR in Tools on Steam. The OpenVR API provides a game with a way to interact with Virtual Reality displays without relying on a specific hardware vendor's SDK. It can be updated independently of the game to add support for new hardware or software updates. This means that you can access the position of the headset using only one API call and it works for all headset brands (Oculus, Mixed Reality, Vive, etc)! The API is implemented as a set of C++ interface classes full of pure virtual functions. When an application initializes the system it will return the interface that matches the header in the SDK used by that application. -
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A-Frame
A web framework for building virtual reality experiences
A-Frame is an open source web framework for building virtual reality experiences. With A-Frame you can create WebVR with HTML and entity-component works on Vive, Rift, Daydream and more. A-Frame simplifies virtual reality by handling the required 3D and WebVR boilerplate to get you running on platforms like mobile, desktop, Vive, and Rift. Because it can be used from HTML, just about everyone can use it. A-Frame is a thin yet powerful framework on top of three.js. While A-Frame is completely accessible from HTML, developers can also make full use of JavaScript, DOM APIs, three.js, WebVR, and WebGL. -
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Crazy Eddies GUI System (CEGUI)
A fast, powerful and adaptable GUI solution
Crazy Eddie's GUI (CEGUI) system is a graphical user interface C++ library. It was designed particularly for the needs of videogames, but the library is usable for non-game tasks, such as any other type of applications (rendering/visualisation/virtual reality) and tools. It is designed for user flexibility in look-and-feel, as well as being adaptable to the user's choice in tools and operating systems. Established in 2003, CEGUI sees continual, active development and remains one of the most powerful and most popular options for developers requiring an adaptable and efficient GUI solution. CEGUI is fully supported by the developers that created - and continue to develop - the library, and who are accessible via the project's dedicated internet forums and IRC channel. For more information, more screenshots and for news, check out out our homepage: http://cegui.org.uk The repository is now at bitbucket (including our issue/bug tracker): https://bitbucket.org/cegui -
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Jahshaka Studio
virtual reality authoring toolkit created by artists, for artists
Welcome to Jahshaka, the virtual reality authoring toolkit that was created by artists, for artists. The only way to build and publish virtual worlds. -
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Networked-Aframe
Web framework for building multi-user virtual reality experiences
Multi-user VR on the Web. A framework for writing multi-user VR apps in HTML and JS. Built on top of A-Frame. Follow the NAF Getting Started tutorial to build your own example from scratch, including setting up a local server. Networked-Aframe works by syncing entities and their components to connected users. To connect to a room you need to add the networked-scene component to the a-scene element. For an entity to be synced, add the networked component to it. By default the position and rotation components are synced, but if you want to sync other components or child components you need to define a schema. For more advanced control over the network messages see the sections on Broadcasting Custom Messages and Options. Create an instance of a template to be synced across clients. The position and rotation will be synced by default. The buffered-interpolation is added to allow for less network updates while keeping smooth motion. -
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Cardboard SDK
Open source Cardboard SDK and samples
This SDK provides everything you need to create your own Virtual Reality (VR) experiences for Google Cardboard. It supports essential VR features, such as motion tracking, stereoscopic rendering, and user interaction via the viewer button. With these capabilities, you can build entirely new VR experiences, or enhance existing apps with VR capabilities. You can use the Cardboard SDK to turn a smartphone into a VR platform. A smartphone can display 3D scenes with stereoscopic rendering, track and react to head movements, and interact with apps by detecting when the user presses the viewer button. To get started, you'll use HelloCardboard, a demo game that demonstrates the core features of the Cardboard SDK. In the game, users look around a virtual world to find and collect objects. -
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Jahshaka
Cross platform Virtual Reality authoring and playback
Jahshaka is bringing you the future of immersive digital content creation. It combines a virtual desktop with a powerful asset management system and a immersive 3d content creation engine with full VR support. Jahshaka is free software, developed as an open source project and is designed to run on Windows, OsX and Linux. -
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LÖVR
Lua Virtual Reality engine
An open-source framework for rapidly building immersive 3D experiences. You can use LÖVR to easily create VR experiences without much setup or programming experience. The framework is tiny, fast, open-source, and supports lots of different platforms and devices. Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, WebXR. Supports Vive/Index, Oculus Rift/Quest, Pico, Windows MR, and has a VR simulator. Simple VR scenes can be created in just a few lines of Lua. Writen in C99 and scripted with LuaJIT, includes optimized single-pass stereo rendering. Out of the box you get fast stereo rendering, VR controllers, hand tracking, haptics, spatial audio, 3D physics, PBR materials, SDF fonts, multiplayer, and more. The entire engine is 1MB and runs on LuaJIT, the fastest JIT compiler round these parts. Projects are just folders with scripts and assets in them, organized however you want. -
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Pumkin's Avatar Tools
A toolbox for easily setting up VRChat avatars in Unity
An editor script that adds tools to help you setup avatars faster and easier. It includes a component copier that makes it a lot easier to reimport your avatars, and tools to make your thumbnails nicer. To install these tools grab the .unitypackage from releases then simply import it into your unity project. Make sure to delete any older versions of Pumkin Tools from your project before importing. Also make sure that you are using the correct version of Unity and the latest version of VRChat SDK2 or SDK3. Pumkin's Avatar Tools is a Unity editor script that provides a set of tools to automate and simplify certain avatar setup tasks within Unity. -
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Ultraleap Unity Plugin
Ultraleap SDK for Unity
The Ultraleap Unity Plugin empowers developers to build Unity applications using Ultraleap's hand-tracking technology. It includes various assets, examples, and utilities that make it easy to design and build applications using hand tracking in XR projects. Due to the ever changing landscape of package dependencies in Unity we cannot guarantee compatibility with every plugin or variant of Unity, but aim to provide support for any LTS versions that are under continuous support from Unity. If you are sourcing the Unity Plugin directly from this repository, you may find that it does not function well with earlier versions of Unity. There are several ways you can consume this plugin. We've listed several recommended workflows for different users below. This list is by no means exhaustive, if you are aware of a workflow not listed that you think others would appreciate, please consider contributing! -
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CoffeeMud
Full featured MUD server with all the trimmings.
CoffeeMud is a text-based virtual reality game engine (a MUD). It is a mature, full-featured Java codebase. It includes web (HTTP) and email (SMTP) servers, chat (IMC2 and I3) and web clients, and supports ANSI, MXP, and MSP. -
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This project aims to develop an interaction framework based on body detection by webcams, identifying the skeleton shape (hands, arms, head, legs etc), for games, virtual reality, augmented reality and other applications.
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DreamOn - Virtual Reality System
An Open source library that allows easy development of VR Applications
VRS integrates Microsoft Kinect, Vuzix Goggles and the OGRE Graphics Engine to create an easy library for virtual reality software creation. -
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OpenReality will be a 3D Engine Library for development of Games, Virtual Reality and 3D Visualization applications. It will be very intuitive, and strongly object oriented. Of course, performance will have a great weight on the project´s decisions.
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A collection of projects based on the Virtual Object System (VOS) platform. The goal of Interreality is to develop a free and open platform for multiuser 3D virtual reality and interactive, collaborative 3D virtual spaces, as well as other applications.
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A-Frame Inspector
Visual inspector tool for A-Frame
A visual inspector tool for A-Frame scenes. Just hit <ctrl> + <alt> + i on any A-Frame scene to open up the Inspector. Get a different view of the scene and see the visual effect of tweaking entities. The VR analog to the browser’s DOM inspector. Can be opened on any A-Frame scene with <ctrl> + <alt> + i. Record and replay headset and controller pose and events. Hit record, move around inside the VR headset, interact with objects with the controller. Then replay that recording back on any computer for rapid development and testing. Reduce the amount of time going in and out of the headset. The A-Frame Inspector is a visual tool for inspecting and tweaking scenes. The Inspector is similar to the browser’s DOM inspector but tailored for 3D and A-Frame. Not only can we open our local scenes inside the Inspector, we can open any A-Frame scene in the wild using the Inspector (as long as the author has not explicitly disabled it). -
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AI4U
Multi-engine plugin to specify agents with reinforcement learning
AI4U is a multi-engine plugin (Godot and Unity) that allows you to design Non-Player Characters (NPCs) of games using an agent abstraction. In addition, AI4U has a low-level API that allows you to connect the agent to any algorithm made available in Python by the reinforcement learning community specifically and by the Artificial Intelligence community in general. Reinforcement learning promises to overcome traditional navigation mesh mechanisms in games and to provide more autonomous characters. AI4U can be integrated into Imitation Learning through Behavioral Cloning or Generative Adversarial Imitation Learning present on stable-baslines. Train using multiple concurrent Unity/Godot environment instances. Unity/Godot environment partial control from Python. Wrap Unity/Godot learning environments as a gym. -
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AVRS performs spatial 3D-sound processing allowing the arbitrary placement of sound source in auditory space. The main goal is to develop a genuine experimental flexible platform, that runs in a general-purpose architecture computer (standard hardware and software).
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ApertusVR
Virtual Reality software library
The main feature of ApertusVR is the so called "Distributed Plugin-in Mechanism" which means that not only humans could be involved in a multi-user virtual reality scene but any element of the Internet of Things like hardware, software, robot or any kind of smart device. ApertusCore is a programming library written in C++11, that fulfills modern software requirements as it is modular, embeddable, platform-independent, and easily configurable. It contains basic software interfaces and modules for logging, event-handling, and for loading plugins and configurations. It is also responsible for distributed data synchronization. ApertusVR is a set of plugins that extend ApertusCore with XR (AR/VR/MR) capabilities, which help to integrate XR technologies into new/existing developments, products rapidly. It creates a new abstraction layer over the hardware vendors in order to use different display and control devices in any product or service. -
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Arcan
Powerful development framework for creating virtually anything
Arcan is a powerful development framework for creating virtually anything from user interfaces for specialized embedded applications all the way to full-blown standalone desktop environments. At its heart lies a robust and portable multimedia engine, with a well-tested and well-documented Lua scripting interface. The development emphasizes security, debuggability and performance, guided by a principle of least surprise in terms of API design. For the main engine there has been quite some refactoring to reduce input latency; better accommodate variable-refresh rate display; prepare for asymmetric uncooperative multi-GPU and GPU handover; explicit synchronization and runtime transitions back and forth between low (16-bit) to standard (32-bit) to high-definition rendering (10-bit + fp16/fp32). -
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A client-server based framework for building 3d applications. Intended to be used for Virtual Reality.
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BLUI is an ongoing research project in user interface design for virtual reality environments. BLUI was developed by the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center at the University of Alaska- Fairbanks.
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Calcflow
A virtual reality tool for mathematical modeling
The repository contains the open-sourced code to Calcflow, a powerful mathematical visualization tool designed to give students, educators, and engineers a better grasp on some of the most difficult concepts in vector calculus. Utilizing the best UI/UX theory, Calcflow is an intuitive VR interface for vector calculus and is used by scientists and engineers for both educational and commercial applications. Today, the most common tool for complex maths visualization in the classroom is the TI-84+. Scientists, researchers, and other professionals who implement calculus in their work may rely on more complex toolkits like MATLAB. Though these tools offer broader functionality, they are similarly if not more unintuitive than their handheld counterparts. Calcflow shatters this interfacial bottleneck by enabling users to interact directly with complex equations in physical space. Users can manipulate inputs and parameters and observe changes to 3D visualizations in realtime.
Guide to Open Source VR Development Software
Open source virtual reality (VR) development software is a type of application that allows users to create interactive, customizable, and immersive VR experiences. This type of software gives developers access to the code that powers the application, enabling them to customize and modify it as they see fit. Open source VR developer software is typically free of charge and offers users an alternative to commercial offerings.
The open source approach allows developers to explore the inner workings of the software and create their own custom experiences tailored specifically to their desired outcomes. Open source VR development can be done in multiple ways but typically involves using either scripting or C++ API's (application programming interfaces). Scripting-based open source uses languages such as JavaScript or Python while C++ API’s utilize more robust libraries for deeper engine modification.
In addition to being able to customize existing features within the application, developers are also able to build additional features from scratch using open source code provided by dedicated communities of web developers and engineers. A great example of this is WebVR, which provides a set of tools designed specifically for developing web-based virtual reality experiences using HTML5, WebGL, and other technologies. Developers can use these tools alongside available 3D authoring tools like Blender or ThreeJS for an even more immersive experience.
Open source VR development offers various advantages over traditional proprietary models such as increased flexibility when creating applications due its lack of hardware requirements; a lower cost than commercial model; greater ability for collaboration with others in online communities; transparency when understanding how certain aspects work; and overall faster development cycles because you don't have wait on someone else’s schedule before releasing new additions or updates.
Open Source VR Development Software Features
- Cross-Platform Support: Open source VR development software allows developers to develop applications that will work on a variety of platforms, such as desktop computers and mobile devices. This means that the application can be used in a wide range of environments.
- Immersive Interface: Open source VR development software tools typically include immersive interfaces, where users can interact with 3D objects and explore virtual spaces in an engaging way. This feature is particularly useful for developing interactive experiences or educational simulations.
- Improved Graphics: With open source development software, users are also able to access improved graphics capabilities compared to traditional game development engines. This includes high-quality textures, lighting effects, dynamic shadows, particle systems and physically based rendering for realistic visuals.
- Advanced Game Mechanics: Many open source platforms allow developers to create complex games by leveraging advanced game mechanics such as physics engines and artificial intelligence algorithms for creating believable characters and simulated worlds.
- Networking Tools: Open source platforms also provide networking tools which allow developers to create multi-player gaming experiences across different networks and devices. They can also make use of cloud computing services for storing user data securely and distributing it globally in real time.
- Performance Optimization: Developers have access to powerful optimization techniques when using open source VR development software which helps make sure their application runs smoothly on all compatible devices with minimal latency or lag issues.
What Types of Open Source VR Development Software Are There?
- Real-time 3D Engines: These open source software packages allow developers to create interactive virtual worlds, complete with physics and lighting. Examples include Unreal Engine and Unity3D.
- Scene Graph Libraries: Open source scene graph libraries such as X3D, OpenSG and Ogre allow developers to easily construct 3D environments in which VR applications can run.
- Web APIs: HTML 5 and JavaScript now provide access to native device features, including accelerometers and gyroscopes which are important for creating natural movements for the virtual environment. WebGL is a JavaScript API that allows developers to render interactive 3D graphics directly onto web pages. This has enabled the development of highly immersive browser-based experiences using only open source technology.
- Immersive Video Players: 360-degree video provides an incredibly life-like experience of exploring a real world environment without having to actually be there in person. Developers can use open source immersive video players such as Kolor Eyes or PixiJS to take advantage of this format in their projects.
- Shader Libraries: Software like OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL) gives developers access to powerful graphical effects that work on both desktop machines and mobile VR devices. This library enables the creation of ultra realistic looking materials such as realistic water surfaces or complex lighting systems within VR applications.
- Low Level Driver Libraries:Many modern VR platforms require low level driver libraries for communication between the software application layer and hardware components such as displays, sensors, controllers etc., For example SteamVR provides an SDK with code samples that enable support for other types of hardware too, making it possible for new head mounted displays (HMDs) to become plug-and-play compatible with existing software applications written with it's APIs.
Benefits of Open Source VR Development Software
- Cost Savings: Open source VR development software is free, allowing users to save time and money that would otherwise be spent purchasing expensive proprietary programs. Additionally, open source software generally requires less maintenance than proprietary solutions, making it an attractive option for those on a budget.
- Flexibility: With open source VR development software, developers can customize their projects with an extensive array of modules and libraries available through the platform. This provides added flexibility compared to closed-source solutions which often contain fewer features or more rigid parameters.
- Increased Security: Since the code behind open source applications is made available to the public (rather than hidden under a corporate firewall), the security of such programs tends to be higher as potential flaws are quickly identified and addressed. In addition, such applications are regularly updated with patches and fixes as needed by its users.
- Community-Driven Support: Thanks to a passionate community of developers dedicated to improving open source tools and resources related thereto, support for users of these platforms tend to be quite robust through online forums, mailing lists and other sources of support provided by fellow users.
- Diversity Of Platforms And Devices Supported: Open source software allows developers to create programs for multiple platforms at once—including PCs, mobile devices and even wearables–which expands their market reach significantly compared with closed-source solutions which may only function on one system type or another.
Types of Users That Use Open Source VR Development Software
- Hobbyists: People who are passionate about developing immersive experiences for the home without a formal training in programming or 3D design.
- Small Business Owners: Those who need to utilize VR technology to gain an edge over their competitors, but lack expertise or funds needed to invest in costly proprietary tools.
- Artists and Creators: People with a passion for creating interactive stories, animations and visualizations that drive engagement and promote understanding of complex concepts through virtual reality development software.
- Educators: Instructors who wish to bring cutting-edge technology into the classroom by creating custom virtual lessons and teaching materials.
- Engineers and Designers: Professionals in these fields seeking to implement advanced technologies such as human-computer interaction, gesture recognition, spatial audio, and more into their projects using open source VR software.
- Gamers: Enthusiasts who want to create creative gaming worlds powered by easy-to-use open source platforms featuring realistic graphics and physics engines for virtual gameplay on computers or consoles.
- Researchers: Scientists seeking innovative ways to solve problems using large datasets from many disciplines made possible by open source VR development software.
How Much Does Open Source VR Development Software Cost?
Open source virtual reality (VR) development software typically doesn't cost anything, as most of the available programs are free to download and use. Examples of open source programs for developing VR include Unity, Unreal Engine 4, Mozilla’s A-Frame, Google Cardboard SDK, Three.js and WebVR Polyfill. Since these programs are open source and free to use in most cases (some may have paid add ons or versions with more features that come with a fee), developers don’t need to pay for licenses or subscriptions – just download the program and get started creating.
Most of these development platforms come with tutorials and documentation so you can easily get up to speed on building your own VR applications and projects. Additionally, there is an ever-growing community of developers offering advice and resources in many online forums and websites dedicated to VR development. And when it’s time to start testing out your virtual reality programs, you may need some additional hardware such as headsets or sensors; while these items do come at a cost, they still remain relatively inexpensive compared to other video game development toolsets.
In sum, while some optional hardware components may require an upfront financial commitment from developers looking to build their own VR projects using open source software, the programming platforms themselves are usually entirely free of charge – meaning anyone interested in exploring this exciting new medium can take advantage without spending any money.
What Software Does Open Source VR Development Software Integrate With?
Open source VR development software can integrate with a range of types of software, such as 3D modeling programs, game engines, and software libraries. 3D modeling programs allow developers to create the virtual worlds used in virtual reality applications and games. Game engines are used for creating complex interactive game environments and for providing audio-visual effects. Finally, software libraries provide access to functions that can be used by the developer in their VR projects. Additionally, integration with open source web frameworks such as Node.js or Angular is possible since these enable features like multi-platform support and dynamic content delivery. By integrating these various types of software with open source VR development tools, developers increase their efficiency while creating more immersive experiences for users.
Open Source VR Development Software Trends
- Increased Use of Open Source SDKs: There has been a steady increase in the number of developers using open source software development kits (SDKs) to create virtual reality content. This rise in usage has been attributed to the wide range of features and capabilities offered by these SDKs, as well as their cost-effectiveness compared to proprietary solutions.
- Growing Popularity of Unity and Unreal Engine: Unity and Unreal Engine have become two of the most popular open source VR development tools available. Both platforms offer a wide range of features that make it easier for developers to create immersive experiences for users. Additionally, Unity and Unreal Engine are both highly-customizable, allowing developers to tailor their projects to their needs.
- Increasing Adoption of AR/VR Technology: As augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology becomes more affordable and accessible, more developers are turning to open source VR development tools to create immersive experiences. This includes tools such as WebVR, A-Frame, and Three.js, which make it easier for developers to create interactive 3D environments.
- Growing Interest in Open Source VR Platforms: Open source VR platforms such as Mozilla’s A-Frame allow developers to quickly create Virtual Reality content without needing to learn complex programming languages or develop from scratch. This has led to an increased interest in open source VR development among independent developers and small companies who want to create their own virtual reality experiences.
How Users Can Get Started With Open Source VR Development Software
- Getting started with open source virtual reality (VR) development software is an exciting and relatively straightforward process that can be broken down into a few simple steps. First, take some time to familiarize yourself with the technology and its associated concepts. Read up on the various types of hardware that are typically used in VR, such as headsets, controllers, trackers, screens, etc. Additionally, read up on how different platforms work and what their capabilities are; for example, understanding how Oculus Rift works differently from HTC Vive.
- Once you feel comfortable with the underlying principles of VR development software, it’s time to choose a platform or engine that you want to use for your projects. Many popular engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine 4 offer free tiers that allow novice developers to get started quickly with building interactive 3D content. You will also want to consider any specific plugins or extensions for these engines if you are targeting certain types of hardware or want access to certain features which may not be available in the base version. It’s also important to make sure that any additional software components needed for development (e.g., IDE’s) are installed properly before beginning your project.
- The next step would be selecting appropriate assets and tools for your project; this includes things like 3D models/characters, audio files like sound effects/music tracks), textures & materials (e.g., wood grain textures), and scripting languages such as C#/JavaScript depending on which game engine you settled on earlier). Make sure all of your assets fit within the technical requirements of your chosen platform before including them in production-ready versions of your project(s). This often requires testing out different combinations until one is found that performs optimally across all platforms being targeted during deployment phase(s).
- Finally once all asset organization is completed and scripts have been written it's time to actually begin implementing gameplay elements into the scene at hand. Depending upon desired complexity levels this could involve anything from setting up basic ‘health bars’ tracking enemy progress throughout each level or setting checkpoints & collision boxes so players can interact more naturally within each environment they explore - no matter what typecontent ultimately being developed though following proper ‘best practices’ when coding should always remain top priority.
