Panda3D vs Ogre3D – A Consumer’s Perspective

For developers seeking 3D rendering or game development, Panda3D provides a robust framework engineered by Disney, but requires basic Python knowledge, making it suitable for professionals. Ogre3D, on the other hand, offers a more integrated and flexible API, suitable for both gaming and business applications, emphasizing coherent design and documentation.

Key Differences Between Panda3D and Ogre3D

• Panda3D originates from Disney and has a strong background in VR and game development, while Ogre3D doesn’t primarily focus on game development and is suitable for various applications.
• Panda3D comes with Python’s garbage collector managing engine structures, a feature absent in Ogre3D.
• Ogre3D, while not enforcing a specific set of libraries, is API-friendly and integrates easily with various libraries.
• While both provide extensive documentation and community support, Panda3D requires a basic knowledge of Python and APIs, making it more suitable for professional developers.

What Is Panda3D and Who’s It For?

Panda3D, developed initially by Disney Interactive, is a high-functioning 3D game-engine catering to Python and C++ developers. Released in 2002 as an open-source engine, it offers impressive functionality for 3D game creation including graphics, audio, I/O, and collision detection. The engine is designed for professional usage, hence demands a basic understanding of Python and APIs.

Panda3D originated from Disney VR studio for 3D theme park attractions and is now used widely by commercial game developers, open-source project enthusiasts, and university courses.

Pros of Panda3D

• Extensive capabilities including custom shaders, 3D audio, physics system, AI, networking
• Supports both Python and C++
• Comprehensive documentation and community support

Cons of Panda3D

• Not suitable for beginners, requires familiarity with Python and APIs
• Requires specific building and configuration instructions for different systems
• Integrates with various third-party libraries which may need additional understanding

What Is OGRE and Who’s It For?

OGRE (Object-oriented Graphics Rendering Engine) is a tool designed for developers to create hardware-accelerated 3D graphics applications. Developed using C++, it supports integration-friendly APIs, making it suitable for a wide range of applications including business apps, games, and simulations.

OGRE was started in 1999 by Sinbad and has evolved into a platform-independent API registered on SourceForge. The engine is compatible with multiple systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Pros of OGRE

• Designed for a variety of applications, not just game development
• Integration-friendly API allowing for a wider scope of functionalities
• Consistent documentation and a multitude of demonstrative models for beginners

Cons of OGRE

• Complexity in use due to its extensive features
• Unclear specifics around physics engine due to a primary focus on turn-based gaming
• A requirement of understanding multiple libraries for efficient usage

Panda3D vs Ogre3D: Pricing

In contrast to many game engine technologies, both Panda3D and Ogre3D are open-source and free.

Panda3D

Panda3D is an open-source game engine, extensively fortified by its developer community. Rooted firmly under a Revised BSD license, it proffers its comprehensive suite of services, from 3D rendering to I/O functionalities, for free. Financial support for Panda3D is facilitated via an OpenCollective campaign.

Ogre3D

Ogre3D, under the patronage of its MIT License, paves its freedom route for users. Devoid of any hidden pricing, it grandstands as an open-source engine to deliver powerful 3D graphics applications across games and businesses. Giving back to the community, it accepts contributions in the form of plugins, bug fixes, extensions, and tutorials.

Code Examples for Panda3D & Ogre3D

Panda3D

This code snippet showcases a common scenario in game development: creating a simple camera control. The prerequisites include the installation of the Panda3D engine and understanding basic Python syntax. The featured code lets you control the camera with the arrow keys.

from panda3d.core import *
from direct.showbase.DirectObject import DirectObject
from direct.task import Task

class CameraControl (DirectObject):

    def __init__(self):
        base.disableMouse()
        self.accept('arrow_right', self.spinCamera, [-1])
        self.accept('arrow_left', self.spinCamera, [1])
        self.accept('arrow_up', self.controlPitch, [1])
        self.accept('arrow_down', self.controlPitch, [-1])

    def spinCamera(self, direction):
        base.camera.setH(base.camera.getH() + direction * 5)

    def controlPitch(self, direction):
        base.camera.setP(base.camera.getP() + direction * 5)

app = DirectStart()
cam = CameraControl()
app.run()
    

Ogre3D

For Ogre3d, we’ll use a C++ example. The code creates a chessboard floor using a custom pixel shader, a task with several possible applications in game development, such as creating varying terrain. Make sure you have the Ogre3d and a suitable C++ compiler installed.

#include <ogre.h>

using namespace Ogre;

class ChessboardFloor : public SimpleRenderable
{
public:
    ChessboardFloor() { setupGeometry(); }
    ~ChessboardFloor() { delete mRenderOp.vertexData; }
    Real getSquaredViewDepth(const Camera *cam) const { return 0; }
    Real getBoundingRadius() const { return Math::Sqrt(3*10000); }

private:
    void setupGeometry() {
        mRenderOp.vertexData = new VertexData;
        mRenderOp.indexData = 0;
        mRenderOp.vertexData->vertexCount = 4;
        mRenderOp.vertexData->vertexStart = 0;
        mRenderOp.operationType = RenderOperation::OT_TRIANGLE_STRIP;
        mRenderOp.useIndexes = false;
        
        // Setup the geometry
        // (Your code comes here)

        setMaterial("Examples/Chessboard");
        mBox = AxisAlignedBox(-10000,0,-10000,10000,0,10000);
    }
};
</ogre.h>
    

Who emerges superior in the realm of graphics engines – Panda3D or Ogre3D?

Since each graphics engine serves a unique purpose, let’s analyse which caters best to various audiences.

3D Game Developers

For 3D game developers working on projects bearing commercial or academic importance, Panda3D would be the top choice. With its Python and C++ support, Panda3D offers an added flexibility, has been validated by commercial success stories like Toontown Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online and offers better user support through extensive documentation.

Enterprise Application Makers

For teams developing hardware-accelerated 3D graphics applications, especially pertaining to business or non-gaming purposes, Ogre3D is a better fit. It offers a coherent design and consistent docs for building non-gaming apps, and has seamless integrations with various libraries.

VR Developers

With origin roots in Disney’s VR Studio, Panda3D comes in handy for VR developers. It was first open-sourced for Virtual Reality research projects in collaboration with universities which speaks for its proficiency in VR, making it the ideal graphics engine for this audience.

Open-source Project Builders

Those looking to build open-source projects would find both Panda3D and Ogre3D appropriate. Panda3D, under the Revised BSD license, and Ogre3D, under MIT License, both provide the freedom to modify and distribute the software.

Panda3D and Ogre3D, both robust graphics engines, cater to varied purposes. If you’re a 3D game developer or into VR creation, bank on Panda3D’s tested capabilities. But for non-gaming applications, consider Ogre3D with its hardware-accelerated graphics and consistent docs.