dcat is a terminal-based 3D model viewer that combines GPU rendering with terminal graphics. It uses Vulkan to render models and Chafa to present the resulting images in the terminal.
Rather than relying solely on ASCII characters to approximate geometry, dcat can take advantage of terminal graphics protocols capable of displaying image data. The quality of the output therefore depends partly on the capabilities of the terminal emulator being used.
The application provides several ways to examine a model, including interactive navigation, automatic rotation and configurable rendering dimensions. Users can adjust the presentation of a model without needing a conventional desktop modelling application.
Unlike software-rendered terminal viewers, dcat requires suitable Vulkan graphics support. It is designed for terminals running on systems with the necessary graphics capabilities rather than as a replacement for GPU-independent ASCII rendering.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Renders 3D models using Vulkan, with output displayed through terminal graphics.
- Uses Chafa to select an appropriate output format for the terminal.
- Supports Sixel and Kitty graphics protocols where available.
- Offers true-colour, palette-based and monochrome character rendering modes.
- Adjust the rendering width and height to suit the terminal display.
- Control camera distance and model scale independently.
- Configure automatic model rotation and its angular speed.
- Choose a target frame rate for animated rendering.
- Toggle wireframe rendering while viewing a model.
- Supports external textures, normal maps and skydome textures.
- Lighting calculations can be enabled or disabled.
- Provides interactive rotation and zoom controls, together with an optional first-person camera navigation mode.
- Supports mouse-driven camera orbiting with adjustable sensitivity.
- Includes animation playback controls for supported models.
- Optional status bar displays information while viewing the scene.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux and Windows.
Website: github.com/Murat65536/dcat
Support:
Developer: Murat65536
License: Apache License 2.0
dcat is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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