In computer graphics (CG) education, the challenge of finding modern, versatile tools is significant, particularly when integrating both legacy and advanced technologies. Traditional frameworks, often reliant on solid, yet outdated APIs like OpenGL, limit the exploration of cutting-edge graphics techniques. To address this, we introduce pyGANDALF, a unique, lightweight, open-source CG framework built on three pillars: Entity-Component-System (ECS) architecture, Python programming, and WebGPU integration. This combination sets pyGANDALF apart by providing a streamlined ECS design with an editor layer, compatibility with WebGPU for state-of-the-art features like compute and ray tracing pipelines, and a programmer-friendly Python environment. The framework supports modern features, such as Physically Based Rendering (PBR) capabilities and integration with Universal Scene Description (USD) formats, making it suitable for both educational demonstrations and real-world applications. Evaluations by expert users confirmed that pyGANDALF effectively balances ease of use with advanced functionality, preparing students for contemporary CG development challenges.
翻译:在计算机图形学教育中,寻找现代化、多功能的工具是一项重大挑战,尤其是在需要整合传统技术与先进技术时。传统框架通常依赖于诸如OpenGL这类坚实但已过时的API,限制了对前沿图形技术的探索。为此,我们推出了pyGANDALF,这是一个独特、轻量级、开源的计算机图形学框架,其构建基于三大支柱:实体-组件-系统架构、Python编程以及WebGPU集成。这种组合使pyGANDALF脱颖而出:它提供了带有编辑器层的精简ECS设计,兼容WebGPU以支持计算与光线追踪管线等先进特性,并提供了一个对程序员友好的Python环境。该框架支持现代特性,例如基于物理的渲染功能以及与通用场景描述格式的集成,使其既适用于教学演示,也适用于实际应用。专家用户的评估证实,pyGANDALF在易用性与高级功能之间取得了有效平衡,能够帮助学生为应对当代计算机图形学开发挑战做好准备。