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Overview

Introduction#

Zea Engine is a web-based 3D rendering solution designed from the ground up for CAD and professional graphics, which provides the best in class power, speed and reach for the next generation of web applications. A 3D TypeScript library for innovative manufacturers and industry 4.0 supporters who need to build web applications.

  • Power Designed with the highest requirements in mind, giving developers a suite of tools to address the toughest challenges in modern professional graphics app development. Zea Engine pushes the limits of what a developer can achieve in the browser by focusing on power and performance.

  • Versatility No single solution can solve all problems out of the box. Therefore, the Zea Engine uses a modular architecture that enables developers to integrate new functionalities. Zea keeps the essential features in the core while allowing powerful extensions to be built, either by Zea, to expand the engine's scope, or by third parties who wish to develop specific solutions.

  • Reach Applications that leverage the web browser are already available on all modern devices. These web applications provide a friction-free and straightforward way to deliver content without requiring users to install a player. Zea Engine is designed for the web and enables new categories of high performance and versatile web applications.

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No one size fits all. The Zea Engine is designed around a plugin architecture that enables anyone to build and publish plugins that expand capabilities of the engine. We provide a range of plugins and tools to make working with the engine easier and more productive.

For more information on the templates and plugins see the page on Templates and Plugins

Templates and Plugins

Why Zea Engine#

Zea Engine is for software developers who are dissatisfied with current tools and complex processes for building 3D web applications. It’s a powerful open-source WebGL2 TypeScript framework for rendering 3D scenes that combines the world’s fastest rendering engine with highly efficient server-side pre-processing. Unlike the leading commercial solution, Zea Engine provides a 10x performance increase with simple subscription-based pricing, without complicated licensing agreements, or royalty payments.

Zea Engine provides a streamlined development environment for working with 3D CAD in the browser. It provides out-of-the-box support for WebXR, plugins, product manufacturing information (PMI), metadata, measurements, multi-user collaboration, connectivity, model trees, two-way communication with host applications and the 3D scene, support for assemblies containing references to external parts and sub-assemblies, and more.

  • Read more about Zea Engine and applications on our blog.
  • Check out open-source showcase projects here
  • Join the community here

We make 3D technical communication fast, easy, and open.

Who is Zea Engine for?#

Zea Engine is an SDK (Software Development Kit) for software developers with knowledge of 3D graphics.

Do I need to purchase a license?#

Zea Engine is open-source. By downloading the Zea Engine, you agree to the terms and conditions on our website and this license.

The terms and conditions of our open source license may not be compatible with your application and/or business. Zea Engine is “dual-licensed” which means that you can purchase a more permissive license with these terms, here. To get started evaluating Zea Engine with your content, you have the following options:

  • Export your CAD files to the glTF format and use our free glTF loader plugin.
  • Subscribe for a free trial of Zea Cloud and convert your CAD file(s) into a web-optimized zcad file.
  • Contact us to arrange for an on-premise evaluation license.

To build a commercial application, you need a commercial license, purchase one here. For questions on licensing, contact us.

Start here#

  • Getting Started With Zea Engine To get started using Zea Engine, you can start by learning the basics of how to setup the engine yourself in the Getting Started guide.
  • Zea Svelte Template Or you can jump straight into a full web application using the Svelte template.