Introduction

Currently, the entire kit consists of the following parts:

The Python package cgkit that extends Python with 3D-related functionality.

that extends Python with 3D-related functionality. The Maya plugin sourcepy that integrates the Python interpreter into Maya, and the accompanying Python package maya that makes Maya functionality available in Python.

that integrates the Python interpreter into Maya, and the accompanying Python package that makes Maya functionality available in Python. A collection of small stand-alone utilities written in Python, MEL or MaxScript.

cgkit features:

New 3D data types such as vec3, vec4, mat3, mat4 and quat

Contains a Python binding of Pixar's RenderMan API

Provides access to specialized input hardware such as SpaceMouse/SpaceBall, data glove or tablet via wrappers around the 3DxWare SDK by 3Dconnexion, the Wintab Developer Kit by LCS/Telegraphics and the Data Glove SDK by Fifth Dimension Technologies.

Additional 3D utility functions such as various noises or the functions found in the RenderMan Shading Language

Parse RenderMan shader source files to extract shader parameters

3D data can be stored and manipulated in memory

Imports 3DS, VRML, X3D, OBJ, OFF, IFS, STL, PLY, MA, ASF/AMC, BVH (using the following libraries: lib3ds, CyberX3D, RPly)

Exports RIB (shaders are generated on-the-fly), OBJ, OFF, PLY

Turns Python into a scene description language which can define scenes that can then be rendered with RenderMan or OpenGL.

Interactive OpenGL viewer tool

OpenGL stereo output (vertical split or quad buffer)

Offline render tool that feeds a RenderMan renderer, can also be used to bake texture maps

Connect arbitrary attributes of the same type to create animations

Rigid body dynamics via the Open Dynamics Engine

Extensible via regular modules or plugins

Python/Maya features: