Physics Abstraction Layer (Open Source)

[Tami]

The Physics Abstraction Layer (PAL) provides a unified interface to a number of different physics engines. This enables the use of multiple physics engines within one application. It is not just a simple physics wrapper, but provides an extensible plug-in architecture for the physics system, as well as extended functionality for common simulation components.

PAL provides a number of benefits to game and simulation developers. First of all PAL is very easy to use, so you can easily integrate physics into your application. Secondly, it does not restrict you to one particular physics engine. This gives you more flexibility, allowing you to easily upgrade your physics system if you decide to pursue a commercial engine, select different engines for alternative platforms, or swap to another engine if the physics engine developers stop development and support for their engine. This flexibility allows you to choose the engine that gives you the best performance for your application. Finally, PAL has an extensive set of common features such as simulating different devices or loading physics configurations from XML, COLLADA and Scythe files.

PAL makes physics development FLEXIBLE, FAST and EASY.

The source code for PAL is available via CVS access to sourceforge.
Precompiled binary packages are available here: PAL - libpal - Win32 - Microsoft Visual C++ 8.0

Features:

PAL supports a large number of physics engines. It provides a unique interface for:

* Physics Engines
o Ageia PhysX (a.k.a Novodex)
o Bullet
o Dynamechs(depricated)
o JigLib
o Meqon(depricated)
o Newton
o ODE
o OpenTissue
o Tokamak
o TrueAxis
* File Formats
o Collada
o Scythe
o XML
* Bodies
o Box
o Capsule
o Compound
o Convex
o Sphere
* Geometries
o Box
o Capsule
o Convex Mesh
o Concave Mesh (Terrain)
o Height field (Terrain)
o Plane (Terrain)
o Sphere
* Links
o Spherical (Ball and Socket) Link
o Revolute (Hinge) Link
o Prismatic (Slider) Link
o Generic 6DOF Link
* Sensors
o Contact
o Compass (Angular position)
o GPS (Global Positioning System - Position)
o Gyroscope (Angular velocity)
o Inclinometer (Angular position)
o PSD (Position Sensitive Device - Ray casting)
o Velocimeter (Linear velocity)
o Transponder (Distance between two objects)
* Actuators
o Force actuator (Generic)
o Buoyancy
o DC Motor
o Drag
o Hydrofoil
o Propeller
o Spring
* Vehicles

PAL also features an extensive testing and benchmark suit for evaluating and visualizing dynamic simulation systems.