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Art Of Illusion
Screenshot of ArtOfIllusion v2.3.1 showing scene view and render
Developer:	Peter Eastman
Latest release:	2.5 / August 18, 2007
OS:	Cross-platform
Platform:	Java
Genre:	3D computer graphics software
License:	GPL
Website:	www.artofillusion.org

Art of Illusion is an software package used for 3D modeling, texturing, ray tracing, and otherwise rendering computer generated imagery stills or animations (movies). Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Shortcut: WP:WIN Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia and, as a means to that end, also an online community. ... Shortcut: WP:CSD Current list: Category:Candidates for speedy deletion There are a few, limited, cases where admins can delete Wikipedia pages on sight. Non-admins can ask for an admin to delete such a page, either by listing it on speedy deletions, or by adding either a {{delete}} or... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 796 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1280 × 964 pixel, file size: 234 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Art of Illusion 2. ... Software development is the translation of a user need or marketing goal into a software product. ... A software release is the distribution, whether public or private, of an initial or new and upgraded version of a computer software product. ... is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... // An operating system (OS) is the software that manages the sharing of the resources of a computer. ... A cross-platform (or platform independent) programming language, software application or hardware device works on more than one system platform (e. ... In computing, a platform describes some sort of framework, either in hardware or software, which allows software to run. ... Computer software can be organized into categories based on common function, type, or field of use. ... Modeling in LightWave. ... A software license is a legal agreement which may take the form of a proprietary or gratuitous license as well as a memorandum of contract between a producer and a user of computer software. ... The GNU logo The GNU General Public License (GNU GPL or simply GPL) is a widely-used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU project. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... A software package is a bundle of one or several files that either are necessary for the execution of a computer program, or add features for a program already installed on the computer or network of computers. ... 3D modeling is the creation of 3D computer graphics based on wire frame modeling via specialized software. ... Spherical texture mapping Texture mapping is a method, pioneered by Edwin Catmull, of adding detail, surface texture, or colour to a computer-generated graphic or 3D model. ... A ray traced scene. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The seawater creature in The Abyss marked CGIs acceptance in the visual effects industry. ...

The goal of Art of Illusion is to provide powerful 3D modeling tools with a user interface that improves on those found in other 3D software packages. Though its interface is simple, Art of Illusion contains many features found in high-end commercial graphics software. Some of its features, like the use of online repositories and a built-in downloading tool for installing extensions, are not found in similar commercial software.

The primary creator and maintainer of the software is Peter Eastman. Peter can be contacted via the project web site. Peter Eastman is the lead developer of the free 3D graphics application Art of Illusion and creator of other software titles such as the interactive fiction game, Episode in the Life of an Artist. ...

Art of Illusion is written in the Java programming language. Distributed under the GNU General Public License,^[1] it is free software. “Java language” redirects here. ... The GNU logo The GNU General Public License (GNU GPL or simply GPL) is a widely-used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU project. ... This article is about free software as used in the sociopolitical free software movement; for non-free software distributed without charge, see freeware. ...

Software Features

"Rain drops are still falling on my antennas" by Jyrki Ihalainen, modeled and rendered using Art of Illusion.

• Interface
  • Object list, scene layout windows, and animation score
  • Tooltips and explanatory icons
  • Bundled documentation and help interface
  • Built-in "live help" chat client for connecting to the freenode Art of Illusion support channel
  • Extensions available as scripts or plugins with automated installation and update from online repository (requires internet connection)
  • Grid view and realtime display modes including Wireframe, Smooth, Textured.

• Modeling
  • Primitives: cube, sphere, cone, tube, curve, triangle mesh, spline mesh
  • Boolean modeling operations
  • Lathe, sweep, extrude (straight or along a curve)
  • Subdivision surfaces (smoothing) with edge creasing available for triangle meshes.
  • Mesh editor featuring adjustable mesh tension, bevel, taper, various selection methods (including select edge loop/strip), etc.
  • Object array tool (multidimensional arrays or arrays along a curve)
  • Isosurface modeling (via procedural nodes or direct numeric input)

• Animation
  • Distortion tracks for effects like bend, twist, and shatter
  • Skeletal animation with weighting, constraints and IK
  • Poses and Gestures
  • Keyframe editor with interpolating curves
  • Path animation
  • Animation through scripted objects, e.g. particles using Particle Jet script

• Textures

Textures created using the Art of Illusion procedural texture editor

• • Types: Uniform, image mapped, procedural 2D and 3D
  • Mapping options: Projection, spherical, cylindrical, UV
  • Per-vertex, per-face and per-face-per-vertex texture assignment (depending on textured object)
  • Layered textures
  • Graphical language for procedural texture/material design
  • Procedural textures can be based on parameters like view angle (for fresnel-like effects), etc.
  • Animateable textures via texture parameters and use of Time module
  • Environment background can be mapped with any photo (HDR or RGB), as well as procedural textures
• Materials (Represent the internal properties of an object)
  • Procedural and uniform materials
  • Adjustable index of refraction, scattering, eccentricity
  • Animatable materials via Time module

Screen capture of Art of Illusion's unique graphical procedural texture editor

• Rendering
  • Multithreading
  • Global illumination rendering, along with caustics and subsurface scattering
  • Global illumination methods: Monte carlo, photon mapping with final gathering, direct photon mapping, and ambient occlusion
  • Light types: Point lights, spotlights (both with editable radii), and directional lights
  • Soft shadows
  • Light scattering for materials: Both Single Scattering and Photon Scattering (BSSRDF). User can specify either or both at rendertime.
  • Raytraced depth of field
  • Gloss/translucency (blurred reflections and blurry transparency)
  • Motion blur
  • HDRI scene illumination
  • Save renders as HDRI images

• Post Processing
  • Camera filters (Exposure Correction, Glow, Outline, Tint, Blur, etc.)
  • Noise reduction for Global Illumination

• Scripting
  • Scripting language (Beanshell) allowing development of new tools/commands
  • Dynamic Scripts ("smart objects" - see flyswatter tutorial)

• File Handling
  • 3D Import: .obj natively; .dem, .dxf, .geo, .lwo, .pov, .inc, .3ds via plugins
  • 2D Import via scripts: .ai, .svg
  • 3D Export: .pov, .obj, VRML, all native; .stl via plugin
  • 2D Export/Save: .jpg, .bmp, .png, .tif, .hdr, all native; .svg via plugin

• Extended Functionality Through Scripts and Plugins
  • Direct-to-disk rendering using presets like "Letter," "A4," with DPI and Bleed settings (Advanced Rendering plugin)
  • Wireframe/polygon renders with antialiasing and SVG export (Vector Renderer plugin)
  • Preview renders in sidebar (Preview Plugin)
  • Subdivision (Ngon) modeler with tools for both open- and closed-mesh modeling and support for Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces (Polymesh Editor plugin)
  • ABF+ UV unwrapping available through Polymesh Editor plugin
  • Procedural tree and plant creator (Tree and Plant Designer plugin)
  • Other major features provided through script or plugin extensions such as: 3D text, mesh thickening, platonic solids, sculpt, fractal/image-based heightfields, hair, grunge, and more

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixel Image in higher resolution (1280 × 720 pixel, file size: 130 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Rain drops are still falling on my antennas by Jyrki Ihalainen. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixel Image in higher resolution (1280 × 720 pixel, file size: 130 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Rain drops are still falling on my antennas by Jyrki Ihalainen. ... The title of this article should be freenode. ... The light cycles from the movie Tron were constructed using Constructive Solid Geometry Constructive solid geometry (CSG) is a technique used in solid modeling. ... Inverse kinematics is the process of determining the movement of interconnected segments of a body or model. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A procedural floor grate texture generated with the texture editor Genetica. ... A procedural floor grate texture generated with the texture editor Genetica. ... A procedural floor grate texture generated with the texture editor Genetica. ... The refractive index of a material is the factor by which electromagnetic radiation is slowed down (relative to vacuum) when it travels inside the material. ... Scattering is a general physical process whereby some forms of radiation, such as light, sound or moving particles, for example, are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory by one or more localized non-uniformities in the medium through which it passes. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 470 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (572 × 730 pixel, file size: 111 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Screenshot of Art of Illusions procedural texture editor by Marc Carson. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 470 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (572 × 730 pixel, file size: 111 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Screenshot of Art of Illusions procedural texture editor by Marc Carson. ... Many programming languages, operating systems, and other software development environments support what are called threads of execution. ... Global illumination algorithms used in 3D computer graphics are commonly used to add realistic lighting to 3D scenes. ... A caustic, in optics, is a bundle of light rays. ... Three dimensional object with subsurface scattering Subsurface scattering (or SSS) is a mechanism of light transport in which light penetrates the surface of a translucent object, is scattered by interacting with the material, and exits the surface at a different point. ... Monte Carlo methods are a widely used class of computational algorithms for simulating the behavior of various physical and mathematical systems, and for other computations. ... A crystal ball with caustics In computer graphics, photon mapping is a global illumination algorithm developed by Henrik Wann Jensen that solves the rendering equation. ... Ambient occlusion is a shading method used in 3D computer graphics which can help add realism by taking into account attenuation of light caused by obstructive geometry. ... Umbra & penumbra The penumbra (Latin for mid-shadow) is the portion of a shadow that results from the source of illumination being only partially blocked. ... Three dimensional object with subsurface scattering Subsurface scattering (or SSS) is a mechanism of light transport in which light penetrates the surface of a translucent object, is scattered by interacting with the material, and exits the surface at a different point. ... In optics, particularly film and photography, the depth of field (DOF) is the distance in front of and beyond the subject that appears to be in focus. ... In computer graphics and cinematography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI for short) is a set of techniques that allow a far greater dynamic range of exposures than normal digital imaging techniques. ... In computer graphics and cinematography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI for short) is a set of techniques that allow a far greater dynamic range of exposures than normal digital imaging techniques. ... BeanShell is a Java scripting language, invented by Pat Niemeyer. ... OBJ (or . ... 3D rendering of a DEM of Tithonium Chasma on Mars A digital elevation model (DEM) is a digital representation of ground surface topography or terrain. ... AutoCAD DXF (Drawing Interchange Format, or Drawing Exchange Format) is a CAD data file format, developed by Autodesk as their solution for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs. ... LightWave (or, more properly, LightWave 3D) is a computer graphics program for 3D modeling, animating and rendering. ... The Persistence of Vision Raytracer, or POV-Ray, is a ray tracing program available for a variety of computer platforms. ... The Persistence of Vision Raytracer, or POV-Ray, is a ray tracing program available for a variety of computer platforms. ... 3D Studio Max (sometimes called 3ds Max or just MAX) is a 3-dimensional vector graphics and animation program, written by Kinetix (a division of Autodesk). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... SVG redirects here. ... The Persistence of Vision Raytracer, or POV-Ray, is a ray tracing program available for a variety of computer platforms. ... OBJ (or . ... VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language, usually pronounced vermal, originally known as the Virtual Reality Markup Language) is a standard file format for representing 3-dimensional (3D) interactive vector graphics, designed particularly with the World Wide Web in mind. ... STL (Standard Tessellation Language)[] is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems of Valencia, CA, USA. STL files are imported and exported by many other software packages. ... JPG redirects here. ... DIB redirects here. ... PNG may stand for: Persona non grata, literally meaning an unwelcome person, is a term used in diplomacy with a specialised and legally defined meaning. ... “TIFF” redirects here. ... High dynamic range rendering (HDRR or HDR Rendering), also known as high dynamic range lighting, is the rendering of 3D computer graphics scenes by using lighting calculations done in a larger dynamic range. ... SVG redirects here. ... First three steps of Catmull-Clark subdivision of a cube with subdivision surface below The Catmull-Clark algorithm is used in subdivision surface modeling to create smooth surfaces. ...

Development

Screenshot of Polymesh Editor plugin, showing three types of 3D manipulators(Object, View, Normal) used in working with faces, edges, and vertices.

• Art of Illusion is an open source application and contributions to the source code, scripts and plugins base, and other aspects of the software are welcome.
• Art of Illusion's development cycle usually includes two builds called "Early Access" (EA) releases followed by a Beta, or "bug fix" version. However, with a recent announcement, the bug-fixing portion of development has been shifted to make sure that more bugs are fixed in existing features.
• Developers are welcome to submit scripts and plugins via email to maintainers of the Scripts and Plugins Repository for inclusion in the online repository. This ensures that users will be able to download scripts and plugins easily from within Art of Illusion itself.
• Developers with code to contribute to AoI itself should submit it to Peter Eastman for approval and inclusion. More information
• Non-code contributions can be made as well. Details (Note that the Smartgroups link on that page is obsoleted by the Scripts and Plugins Repository)

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 750 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (960 × 768 pixel, file size: 187 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Screenshot of Art of Illusion 2. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 750 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (960 × 768 pixel, file size: 187 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Screenshot of Art of Illusion 2. ... Open source refers to projects that are open to the public and which draw on other projects that are freely available to the general public. ...

IRTC Competition

The Internet Ray Tracing Competition is an online computer graphics competition. Several Art of Illusion users have submitted entries to the competition.

• Nate Ryan's Fungus Dance image won 1st place in the September - October 2003 "Decay" contest. link
• Julian MacDonald's "Gladiators" animation won Honorable Mention: Artistic Merit in the July-October 2004 contest. link
• "Bathtime Fun", also by Julian MacDonald, won 2nd place in the September-October 2004 contest. link
• Kevin Lynn's "Is Juggling a Sport?" animation won 1st place in the July-October 2005 contest. link
  • Kevin is continuing an Art of Illusion tradition by offering a box of chocolates to the next winner of an online graphics competition using Art of Illusion.

Press Coverage and Awards

The French Linux magazine Linux Pratique has published articles about Art of Illusion. link (See the French version of this Wikipedia entry for downloadable PDF versions of the articles) This article is about operating systems that use the Linux kernel. ...

Art of Illusion was the SourceForge.net Project of the Month for April, 2007. SourceForge is a collaborative software development management system. ...

External links

• Official Art of Illusion Site
• Official forum
• Art of Illusion Wiki
• The Friendlyskies AoI Forum
• Art of Illusion Scripts and Plugins Repository
• Art of Illusion Benchmarks Project
• Text of Peter Eastman interview by author Olivier Saraja

Image File history File links Free_Software_Portal_Logo. ...

References