Is there a Java wrapper for Ogre?

Engines, Libraries and Tools Tools Discussion
#1

Is there a Java wrapper/binding to the OpenSource C++ 3d engine Ogre (or another full blown OpenSource 3d engine) ?

I read (here?) some time ago that an alpha version of a .NET/C# wrapper for Ogre is under development.
Maybe something similar would be possible for Java to access Ogre?

Well, a Java wrapper for Irrlicht is available I read, however I don’t know how well the wrapper and the engine are.

#2

http://www.devmaster.net/engines/

Would some Xith3d expert please add Xith3d to the 3d engine DB?

#3

Heh, I’ve been converting the irrlicht source to java in my free time at work. I’ve only gone thru some of the base classes so far. I have no intention of finishing it; haven’t even tried to compile it either. I just get bored sometimes…

:-/

edit;

Your google-fu is weak Bambadil. This was the first hit for ‘ogre java’.

And this was number 4…

#4

Last news on your mentioned Ogre4J is dated January 2003 ?

#5

Ogre for dotNet is not a wrapper, but a full rewrite port to C# language. Look for Axiom engine link at Ogre3D site.

#6

First of all: Ogre4J is outdated (though it shouldn’t be big problem to bring it up2date with current ogre version)

The main aim of this project was to bind enough of OGRE functionality to Java in order to be able to use Java for ‘scripting’ the gameplay code. Originally I wanted to use it in my game project, however, we stay on C++ as development platform, for a number of reasons:

  • the old code base of the game was already in c++
  • the acceptance of ogre4j in the team was too low
  • maintaince/development (time) costs

Finally we have decided not to use it.
Since I had to focus on other stuff, the ogre4j vanished to oblivion.

BTW: The latest source code is in ogreaddons module in ogre’s cvs at sf.

cheerio!

#7

[quote]Ogre for dotNet is not a wrapper, but a full rewrite port to C# language.
[/quote]
Thanks for the info, that’s interesting.

There’s a lot of power behind .NET/C# to push in into the gaming market; although it’s relative “young”. Java on the other hand is old and mature, but there’s no popular gaming middleware available.

PS: A pity that the Ogre for Java wrapper isn’t alive anymore.

#8

Would anybody like to revive Ogre4J?

Or to port Ogre to Java, like the very nice Axiom project does with Ogre for Mono/.NET/C# ?
(PS: The Axiom maintainer showed an alpha version on Linux recently.)

We Java developers need access to more good 3d engines which have got a larger user base and good tools.
Most important part of today’s 3d engines is how easy it is to import complex geometry and animation from artist’s work.

#9

I did start work on porting Axiom to Java. Unfortunately I’ve now finished Uni and started work so my free time available for it has all but vanished. I never did get it into a working state, as there are lots of classes that need porting to get things up and running.

#10

I only can imagine how heavy task that would be. Axiom C# uses structs, inout arguments, probably unsafe pointer aritmetics here and there…
It’s more natural work to port from C++ to C# than Java.

Java lacks several key issues to make C++ port more straightforward job from C++ point of view.

No doubt it can be done, but then trying to keep up with the Ogre codebase is a difficult task.

#11

Would there be no power in just using the C++ via JNI?

Kev

#12

[quote]Would there be no power in just using the C++ via JNI?

Kev
[/quote]
I think thats basically what ogre4j was/is about; exposing ogre via jni. I haven’t looked at the source though so I could be wrong, its happened before…

#13

So all the approaches to Ogre from the Java side (port and JNI) are pre³² alpha. :frowning:
That’s a pity really. It’s the typical chicken-hen problem with Java for games: {repeat} not many game developers, not many middleware tools, so no further game devs {until always}.

In case you need something like Ogre now you’re into trouble as Java fan. I don’t know yet if Ogre is up to the most important question: solid importers. According to its docu there are 3D Studio Max and Maya exporters. There’s also a Lightwave .lwo to .ogremesh converter.
We’ll see. The importer question will decide if Ogre is usable for real projects or if it’s another open sourced toy.

In case it’s useable, people who think C++ is inefficient (which it is) could go the other Virtual Machine route and use Axiom with Dotnet/Mono. I don’t know if Axiom is already usuable in a solid way (same with Dotnet/Mono), but I guess M$ will put a lot of effort into Dotnet to make it attractive to game developers?