Panda3D Manual

Welcome to the Panda3D documentation! Panda3D is an open-source, free-to-use 3D engine made for the development of realtime 3D games, visualizations, simulations, experiments — you name it! It consists of a library of subroutines that can be used with either the Python or C++ programming language, as well as a few tools to assist with development and debugging.

There are two versions of the manual: one for Python users and one for C++ users. Use the link in the sidebar to switch between the versions. You are currently viewing the manual for C++ users.

The manual is divided up into sections, which are listed below. You can at any time use the sidebar on the left side to navigate between the different sections and their contained pages.

Introduction

We recommend that beginners start out by reading through the Introduction section, which walks through the process of installing Panda3D and ends with a “Hello World” tutorial explaining how to create a very small Panda3D program, to get a sense for what using the engine looks like.

• Introduction to Panda3D
  • Installing Panda3D in Windows
  • Installing Panda3D in Linux
  • General Preparation
  • Running your Program
  • A Panda3D Hello World Tutorial

Programming with Panda3D

This section of the manual explains the various features of Panda3D and the various concepts that underpin the library. It is littered with example code and links to the API reference, which should be studied side-by-side with the manual to get a full understanding of how to operate the various classes.

• Programming with Panda3D
  • The Scene Graph
  • Animated Models
  • The Configuration File
  • Render Attributes
  • Texturing
  • Shaders
  • Camera Control
  • Sound
  • Intervals
  • Tasks and Event Handling
  • GUI
  • Render Effects
  • Finite State Machines
  • Terrain
  • Advanced operations with internal structures
  • Render-to-Texture and Image Postprocessing
  • Panda3D Rendering Process
  • Particle Effects
  • Collision Detection
  • Object Management
  • Hardware Support
  • Physics
  • Networking
  • Advanced Loading Techniques
  • Pathfinding using PandAI

Asset Pipeline

This section explains how to get artistic content (such as models and textures) produced in other programs imported into Panda3D.

• Asset Pipeline
  • Supported Model Formats
  • Egg Files
  • glTF Files
  • Converting from Blender
  • Converting from Autodesk Maya
  • Converting from 3ds Max
  • Previewing Models in pview
  • Pipeline Tips

Debugging

This section documents the various methods that can be employed in order to find problems in a Panda3D program.

• Debugging
  • Log Messages
  • Inspection Tools
  • The Python Debugger
  • Running Panda3D under the C++ Debugger

Performance Optimization

Performance optimization is often a necessary step in the production of a 3D game in order to make the game work on as broad a range of computer hardware as possible. This section explains how to find and fix performance issues using the powerful performance analysis tools that Panda3D offers.

• Performance Optimization
  • Basic Performance Diagnostics
  • Measuring Performance with PStats
  • Common Performance Issues
  • The Rigid Body Combiner

Distribution

This section explains how to compile a completed Panda3D application into an executable file and package it up for distribution.

• Distributing Panda3D Applications
  • Building Binaries
  • List of Build Options
  • Packaging Binaries
  • Troubleshooting
  • Third-party dependencies and license info

API Reference

This section contains a complete listing of all the classes and functions that are a part of the Panda3D API.

• API Reference

More Resources

Aside from this manual, there are a number of other resources that may be useful when studying Panda3D, including books, sample programs, and user-contributed tutorials. This section contains links to those other resources.

• More Panda3D Resources
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Sample Programs in the Distribution
  • Cheat Sheets
  • User Contributed Tutorials and Examples
  • Video Lectures

Getting Help

If you are struggling with understanding or using Panda3D, feel free to ask the community! There is a passionate community around Panda3D that is here to help. You can post a question on the discussion forum, visit our Discord server or visit the #panda3d channel on the Libera.Chat IRC server.