Assignment 2: OSS Experience

For this assignment we were to find an open-source Java program, install it, use it, and rate it based on The Three Prime Directives.

The program I chose is a rather complex 3D modeling and rendering tool called Art of Illusion.

Sourceforge Download URL: http://sourceforge.net/projects/aoi.

Website: http://www.artofillusion.org.

Objectives of this program: Art of Illusion is an extensive 3D modeling and rendering program. It enables users to create and manipulate 3D models. Support for advanced users includes creating plugins and scripts.



Prime Directive 1:
This system does, indeed, accomplish a useful task. Users can create anything from the simplest 3D models to very detailed and beautiful 3D images and animations. Users can draw out their shapes with many tools, add textures, define materials, and even animate their models. I think the fact that the system is open-source and well maintained allows for constant feedback and input users.

Prime Directive 2:
Art of Illusion was very simple to install and run. There are versions available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The only requirement to run the downloaded executable is that JRE (Java Runtime Environment) be installed. The Art of Illusion homepage contains detailed installation instructions. I was able to download and run Art of Illusion within 2 minutes.

There is a great deal of user-end documentation available both for download and on the website. I followed one of the many tutorials and was able to create a rather nice (yet simple) image in 30 minutes:


Prime Directive 3:
Being an open-source, community supported system, Art of Illusion provides a large amount of documentation for the advanced user and developer. This system provides support for user created plugins and scripts to be incorporated into the system. Detailed instructions on the use of the Art of Illusion plugin API are available on the website. By simply placing a jar file into the plugin directory, a developer can introduce many new features and capabilities.

Overall I think Art of Illusion is a very well written, maintained, and documented system. In the future I may continue to use it for 3D modeling and rendering.