kITELY USING HIGH FIDELITY CODE?

[Gusher Castaignede]

I read an article about Kitely's side project using, planning to launch a new grid based on High Fidelity’s open-source software? True? If so, we need better support in 3d file formats, specificly fbx or glTF 2.0 ... that would improve the workflow greatly, particularly animators..

[Ilan Tochner]

Hi Gusher,

We were working on a High Fidelity based platform (working on top of our own backend services) up until a few years ago. We decided to stop developing it a few months after High Fidelity abounded their VR platform efforts because it became apparent that we lacked the R&D resources to continue developing the missing features that we deemed to be crucial for a commercial offering. Some of what we developed for that project later became the basis of our OpenSim-based Organizations offering.

[Gusher Castaignede]

That's unfortunate, but do see Trivoli taking on that challenge...

Hi Gusher,

We were working on a High Fidelity based platform (working on top of our own backend services) up until a few years ago. We decided to stop developing it a few months after High Fidelity abounded their VR platform efforts because it became apparent that we lacked the R&D resources to continue developing the missing features that we deemed to be crucial for a commercial offering. Some of what we developed for that project later became the basis of our OpenSim-based Organizations offering.

[Gusher Castaignede]

Prior to us discontinuing work on that project, we had a closed beta with 3 universities and found that there were simply too many remaining issues for us to consider it marketable. The operating costs were also a lot higher than running OpenSim. That code base could be made viable with enough effort but it would require a lot of work to even reach parity with what other systems already provide.

[Gusher Castaignede]

What about GODOT opensource, I see alot of noise over there, IMVU has been paying, funding engineers over there to create an inhouse FBX plugin exclusive for GODOT only.... they recently recieved $100,000 donation from OP Games... because it's opensourse could be a ripe opportunity to look into it for a modernized future option. I've seen the dozens and dozens of opensource plugins for it, the water, terrain, and sky plugins are just incredible jaw dropping.... [youtube]https://youtu.be/DZRdwaknYfk[/youtube]

[Gusher Castaignede]

Hi Gusher,

Godot is a good open source game engine but that isn't enough for creating an OpenSim-compatible viewer. There is a lot of work that would be required to duplicate even just the important features that exist in SL-derived viewers such as Firestorm. That work would require a long term commitment by multiple developers working full time on building that new viewer. Without that we'd wind up with no more than partial proofs of concept projects that various OpenSim users have developed using other codebases.

[Tess Juel]

...
but that isn't enough for creating an OpenSim-compatible viewer.

If we're talking about a new viewer, there are at least two independent projects going on.
One is Dayturn of course. I don't know much about it and I haven't been able to find a place to download the Windows version so I can't try it myself but the chief developer should have more than enough experience to make it credible.
The other is a Vulkan based viewer a friend of mine, who definitely has enough experience to make it credible, is working on. It's still in an early stage of development but what I've seen so far is very promising indeed.

However, any new viewer faces a dilemma. Although there is lots of room for improvements under the hood, the clumsy, poorly designed and outdated user interface is probably one of the main reasons why SL and opensim struggle to attract new users. The dilemma is that existing users (and developers) are familiar with the UI and all its quirks so they're not likely to take drastic changes very well yet drastic changes is what is needed to improve the newcomer retention rate.
Another problem is of course that designing a new user friendly UI would be a huge undertaking.

[Gusher Castaignede]

You mentioned Vulkan based viewer, I wonder if your referring to Vulkan render engine? There's a modern opensource engine that supports vulkan... https://wickedengine.net/ ... maybe opensim can be modified to support these...

[Tess Juel]

You mentioned Vulkan based viewer, I wonder if your referring to Vulkan render engine?

That's right.

There's a modern opensource engine that supports vulkan... https://wickedengine.net/ ... maybe opensim can be modified to support these...

Maybe but I can't imagine it will be easier than doing the same with High Fidelity, Godot or Unity.

[Gusher Castaignede]

Does your friend have a project website for his Vulkan based viewer?