Open source haptics software released at EuroHaptics 2008 - It is now easier to add the sense of touch to virtual environments with X3D, Python or C++
Latest version of H3DAPI, the open source haptics development platform released on 10 June 2008, at the international haptics conference, EuroGraphics in Madrid, Spain. Users have more freedom in haptics programming. New features added, another milestone in open source haptics community.

/Multimedia News Articles/ - STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, June 12, 2008 - SenseGraphics, the haptics software provider, announces the beta release of its latest version of haptics platform, H3DAPI 2.0. The open source haptics development platform is officially released on 10 June 2008, in conjunction with EuroHaptics 2008 in Madrid, Spain.

Since its introduction to the public in 2005, the H3DAPI has been used by the graphics and haptics community to create or add the simulation of touch to their applications. Built on the industry standards OpenGL and X3D, H3DAPI enables rapid haptics application development using X3D and Python alone. More major projects have been developed by extending H3DAPI capabilities with C++.

The improved H3DAPI 2.0 beta now uses SenseGraphics' own haptics API, which grants users more freedom and control in haptics rendering. Users could now choose from more haptics renderers, including SensAble's OpenHaptics, Chai3D, and H3D point and sphere-based renderers. Its modular design meant that users of the open source H3DAPI could easily extend the platform, whether it is adding their own rendering algorithms, force effects, or haptic surfaces. The latest version of H3DAPI also comes with more device support, including the range of haptic devices by SensAble, ForceDimension, Novint and MOOG FCS.

H3DAPI 2.0 is also bundled with Cmake now to enable easy installation. H3DAPI runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OS.

SenseGraphics hopes that the new improvements to the haptics platform will aid the haptics community even more. "This is an exciting time for haptics technology. There are more haptics related activities now and we hope that H3DAPI will do its part in facilitating this growth", says Markus Israelsson, the H3DAPI product manager at SenseGraphics. SenseGraphics is in Madrid at the EuroHaptics conference this week, offering hands-on demonstrations for attendees to try the latest features and medical applications of H3DAPI.

H3DAPI 2.0 beta can be downloaded at www.H3D.org, from 10 June 2008. The software is released under the GNU General Public License, with an option for commercial license.

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Juliana Ung
SenseGraphics
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