Java 3D Engine

 Env3D is an innovative 3D engine written in Java. With Env3D, it is fun and easy to create 3D video games while learning Java Programming.

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Getting started with Env3D: From 0 to 3D in 5 minutes

Submitted by jmadar on Thu, 01/13/2011 - 22:04

So you want to learn programming, and have a little fun while doing it?  Maybe you already know Java programming, but wanted write your own 3D accelerated video games?  In either case, you've come to the right place.  This is the home of Env3D, a 3D engine written in the Java programming language.  What is so unique about Env3D is that it is designed with education in mind.  As a result, many of the more complicated tasks in traditional 3D engines are very easy to do in Env3D.  There are also lots of external resources built around Env3D to help people learn how to program, including a full set of lessons on object oriented programming, and tight intergration with the BlueJ IDE.


Env3D at the Vancouver Android Meetup

Submitted by jmadar on Sat, 05/18/2013 - 09:50

Vandrico, in partnership with the Vancouver Android Developer meetup group is hosting an env3d meetup on June 5, 2013.  I will be doing a small presentation followed by hands-on demo on how to create play store ready android apps using env3d.  If you live in the Greater Vancouver area, we would love to have you come out and meet us in person, try out the development tools, and chat over beers! 

First env3d android app available on the google play store!

Submitted by jmadar on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 18:38

After months of hard work testing the android deployment option, we are thrilled to release our first env3d demo app on the Google play store!  It is a free app and you can get it at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vandrico.demo1.  We want to thank Vandrico Solutions for sponsoring this activity, as well as the creation and on-going hosting of the env3d website.

Of course this is only a demo app, but proves that it is now possible to go from 0 to app store in less than 5 minutes!  The only limit is your imagination!  To create an apk file that you can submit to the app store, simply select the “Create Android Package (Release)” option from the “Env3D Deploy Menu”.


Another major update is that the Android deploy options are now available for the NetBeans plugin.  So user can choose to work in either BlueJ or NetBeans environments. 


Coming soon: video tutorial on using the NetBeans plugin to create env3d android apps!  Stay tuned :D

Using Scene Creator to create android apps

Submitted by jmadar on Wed, 12/19/2012 - 11:31

A new set of lessons on writing android apps are now available!  You can find them on the env3d website under the "Lessons->Android", or simply follow this link: http://www.env3d.org/beta/env3dandroidlessons

One of the beneficial side-effects of incorporating android support to env3d is that users can now use the Scene Creator to create nice looking 3D apps with a drag-and-drop interface.  Here is a short video to illustrate how easy the process is:


Happy programming!

Creating Executables

Submitted by jmadar on Fri, 11/30/2012 - 11:32

One of the overwhelming env3d feature request is to include the ability to create OS specific executables.  While env3d has had the ability to create applets for some time, the use of Java applets have been in decline in the last decade as applets have been plagued with poor browser support and security issues.  I believe that it is now time to move on and I have completed the first implementation of deploying semi-native executables (I'll explain the "semi" part later).

Env3D on Android - sneak preview

Submitted by jmadar on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 14:13

I finally got a hold of an android device for testing (a samsung galaxy 10.2 tab).  So I can finally start to work on putting Env3D on Android.  Here is what I have so far:


It's far from being finished, but at least it is a start.  There are lots of little details that need to be worked out.  Hopefully I will have something ready by September!

Scene Creator is now available for NetBeans

Submitted by jmadar on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 22:55

Due to popular demand, I have updated the Env3D NetBeans plugin to include support for the Scene Creator!  Check out the following video for an overview of this feature...

 

Introducing: the Env3D Scene Creator

Submitted by jmadar on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 15:32

It started out as a small bug fix to the "Start Env3D" visualization tool, and quickly evolved into a full blown framework and code generation tool.  The new Scene Creator in Env3D has to ability to setup a scene in env3d using drag and drop instead of creating and placing the objects in code  -- allowing students to create nicer looking games in a fraction of the time.  Furthermore, all the learning objectives are enhanced by allowing students to examine and modify generated source code.

The Env3D NetBeans Plugin

Submitted by jmadar on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 21:43

BlueJ is a great IDE for learning Java. It has everything that a beginner needs to get up and running, has an intuitive UI, and allows dynamic creation of objects without writing a "main" method.

The one thing that BlueJ is not intended to do, however, is medium to large size Java development. In my experience (and many students have also observed this), once your program hits 20+ classes, it is a good time to move to a more "professional" IDE, something like NetBeans or Eclipse.

I have been a NetBeans user since 2002, and I use NetBeans to create Env3D itself, so when I think about writing large Env3D programs, I naturally wanted to use NetBeans.