OpenSpace3D

OpenSpace3D is a free game engine developed by the i-maginer group in Nantes, France.^[1] In line with the group’s philosophy focused on digital technology and training, OpenSpace3D is a software solution dedicated to creating immersive applications and video games using extended reality (XR) technologies, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR).

OpenSpace3D
Developer(s)	(project lead) Bastien Bourineau, (company) i-magineXR (i-maginer group)
Initial release	2009
Stable release	1.92 / December 6, 2023 (2023-12-06)
Written in	SCOL, C, C++
Operating system	(creation) Microsoft Windows, (deployment) Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi
Available in	French, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian
Type	Game engine
License	GNU LGPL version 3
Website	www.openspace3d.com

Designed to be accessible to everyone, the engine is presented as a no-code development solution,^[2] allowing complete usage without prior development knowledge. OpenSpace3D is based on the high-level programming language SCOL, itself based on C and C++,^[3] and on the SO3Engine developed specifically for OpenSpace3D.

Created in 2009 by the i-maginer development team and acquired in 2023 by its company i-magineXR to develop immersive teaching techniques (particularly in vocational training, CFA), OpenSpace3D remains a free french engine aimed at providing creators of all skill levels with the tools to build complete applications and video games that integrate extended reality features.

Description

Extended reality

While it’s possible to create any type of 3D application, such as video games or serious games, OpenSpace3D focuses on designing XR applications and games, allowing users to quickly produce content for virtual, augmented, and mixed realities. This rapid content creation is enhanced by its no-code development approach, which also facilitates the integration of immersive devices.

Supported devices

To ensure easy access to a wide variety of immersive devices while maintaining its no-code philosophy, OpenSpace3D supports most virtual reality headsets (Android-based, OpenXR, OpenVR):

• Meta Quest
• Pico 4
• HTC Vive

In addition to VR headsets, OpenSpace3D also supports many other peripherals:

• Game controllers.
• Tobii eye tracker
• Leap Motion^[4]

PlugIT

OpenSpace3D’s key strength lies in allowing users to build full applications using visual scripting blocks called PlugITs, without writing code.^[5] Users can connect these blocks in a 2D whiteboard-style interface to create interactive logic.

PlugITs come in various categories:

• 3D Models PlugITs – for objects, characters, etc.
• Peripheral PlugITs – for mouse, keyboard, gamepad, phone sensors, etc.

Custom PlugITs can be created via XML files that define the block’s metadata (name, description, script in Scol, etc.), and can be combined with built-in PlugITs.

Example of PlugIT use

To make a player open a door via a switch:

• PlugITs: Object click and Rotate to
• Connection: Object click.LeftClick -> Rotate to.Go

More examples can be found in online tutorials and the introductory eBook.^[6]

Technical aspects and programming languages

3D rendering engine

OpenSpace3D uses the SO3Engine, a 3D engine based on Ogre3D,^[7] and supports major platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.^[8]

High-level programming: Scol

OpenSpace3D is based on Scol (Standard Cryo OnLine Language), a high-level functional language created by Cryo Interactive in 1997 for 3D application development. It consists of a core and multiple plugins for handling devices, audio, and other engine features.

Low-level programming

The Scol core and its plugins are written in C and C++.

Supported formats

Format type	Supported formats
Image	JPG, PNG, TGA, DDS, BMP
Audio	WAV, MP3, OGG
Video	MP4, MPEG, AVI
3D model	GLTF, GLB, COLLADA, FBX, 3DS, OBJ, BLEND, IFC, PLY, DXF, STL

Project history

Origins

After the liquidation of Cryo Interactive in 2002, its Scol language^[9] was released as free software and further developed by former Cryo Networks employees. In 2006, the i-maginer group adopted and financed Scol to create a simple 3D application engine.

OpenSpace3D was born and presented in 2009 at the Laval Virtual exhibition through a contest that challenged participants to build a full 3D application in 30 hours, without coding experience.

In 2023, i-maginer founded i-magineXR to enhance XR-based educational tools using OpenSpace3D.

Version history

Version	Release date	Description
Alpha	April 2009	First official alpha release
1.0	March 2012	First public release
1.8.1	December 2014	First version with Oculus DK2 support
1.83	April 2020	Export support for Oculus Quest
1.92	December 2023	Added PBS materials, passthrough mode for VR headsets[10]

Documentation

The complete documentation for OpenSpace3D is available on its official website. It includes:

• A Scol programming course
• A PlugIT creation guide
• A purchasable tutorial-based educational manual authored by the lead developer
• Video tutorials by the developers^[11] and by the community^[12]

Development community

OpenSpace3D has been maintained by i-maginer since 2006. In 2023, the company i-magineXR was created to focus on XR training tools built with the engine.

Current development includes integrating generative AI for 3D environment generation and NPC dialogue systems. As free software, OpenSpace3D development is tracked via Redmine.^[13][14]

An official forum is also available for community and developer support.

Comparable engines

• Unity
• Unreal Engine
• Godot
• Crystal Space
• C4 Engine