Aqsis is a high quality, open source 3D rendering solution adhering to the RenderMan standard.
Renderman is a standard defined by Pixar to define a method of communications between modelling/animation software and renderers. It is designed to be rendering technology agnostic. The RenderMan standard has been used in film and television visual effects since it’s introduction in 1989. Pixar has used their own implementation for all of their award winning CG features, and provided their implementation for use in the visual effects of most major blockbuster films over the last 2 decades. The Aqsis project offers a way for individuals and organisations alike to gain experience with the RenderMan interface without the cost of commercial software licenses.
Aqsis implements all the required features of the Renderman standard, and some of the optional features. It is a fully functional Reyes (a scanline rendering algorithm) renderer. It supports procedural shaders in the Renderman Shading Language (RSL) format, via the shader compiler aqsl, one of the suite of tools that makes up the Aqsis toolset.
Aqsis comprises a command line rendering tool, a tool for compiling shaders in the RSL language, a tool for preparing textures for optimal use, and various developer libraries to enable integration with third party tools.
Key Features
- 3D Depth of field.
- Motion blur.
- Programmable shading.
- True displacements.
- NURBS.
- Subdivision surfaces.
- CSG.
- Procedural plugins.
Website: sourceforge.net/projects/aqsis
Support:
Developer: Aqsis Team
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Aqsis is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Renderers | |
|---|---|
| Blender | 3D computer graphics software toolset that excels in many areas |
| Cycles | Physically based production renderer developed by the Blender project |
| Mitsuba | Extensible rendering framework written in portable C++ |
| LuxCoreRender | Physically based and unbiased rendering engine |
| MoonRay | Production path-tracing renderer |
| pbrt | Physically based ray tracing system |
| Malt | Fully customizable real-time rendering framework |
| Art of Illusion | 3D-modeler, renderer and raytracer |
| appleseed | Physically-based renderer targeted at production rendering |
| Renderer | Interactive 3D visualization of triangle meshes |
| Radiance | Suite of tools for performing lighting simulation |
| MiniLight | Minimal global illumination renderer |
| MantaRay | Advanced renderer which uses modern rendering techniques |
| Aqsis | 3D rendering solution adhering to the RenderMan standard |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion. Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.