The ability to create a 3D applications is a skillset that is increasingly in demand as it plays a crucial role in advanced UX design, virtual reality, game development, and more. While developing a modern 3D program requires many disparate skills, there are frameworks that help the developer stitch it all together. Qt 3D, developed by KDAB, is one such framework. Our first Qt 3D whitepaper helped us understand the structure of a Qt 3D program - the nature of the entities, components and aspects, in the scene graph and frame graph. This paper shows how to incorporate those elements into a functioning program by examining how to receive user input and how to animate objects in a scene.

Parts One and Two of our three part Qt 3D series focused on drawing a 3D model and accepting user input, which are necessary building blocks of 3D applications. For the last part, we’ll look at how to use Qt 3D and frame graphs to create some really sophisticated looking graphics, including how to implement multi-pass rendering.

There are more languages, frameworks and libraries available than ever before, with many of them free or nearly so. But every new tool comes at a cost. In this whitepaper, Kevin Krammer discusses the many benefits to be had from choosing Qt, but also evaluates alternatives to help you decide what's right for you.

Industry giants in many fields have been toppled repeatedly by Silicon Valley start-ups and game-changing innovations. When a software-savvy competitor enters your market, they provide new benefits that win over your customers. That leaves you in a game of catch-up to regain market share and re-establish your brand. How can you avoid your company being upstaged by an upstart?

At KDAB, we’ve fine-tuned the migration process over more than 15 years, successfully migrating software from a wide variety of frameworks – with the majority migrating to Qt. Based on our experience, we know that regardless of the framework, operating system, or language, all migrations share common steps that ensure success and have common pitfalls that derail the best of efforts. This whitepaper distills our expertise in a short but detailed guide to help you effectively evaluate whether a migration makes sense for your current system, and to help you outline and execute your own.

The need for safety-critical systems with user-friendly interfaces is on the rise. To respond to this need, the Khronos Group (responsible for OpenGL, etc) has introduced OpenGL SC, a new standard that enables graphics in safety critical applications. This whitepaper, written in 2017, reviews the basic differences in moving from OpenGL ES to OpenGL SC, to help you quickly determine what’s needed in skills and software to make the change.

Physically based rendering (PBR) emulates the interaction between light and materials and is a trend in real-time rendering. It offers developers more realistic computer generated imagery and is fast becoming a standard in the gaming world. This paper, written in 2016 by Dr Sean Harmer, offers an exhilarating ten-minute guide to the essentials.

Vulkan is a powerful new 3D graphics API from the Khronos Group, the same consortium that developed its spiritual predecessor, OpenGL and other related standards. Like OpenGL, Vulkan targets high-performance real-time 3D graphics applications such as games and interactive media, but offers higher performance and lower CPU usage, much like Direct3D 12 and Metal. This whitepaper, written in 2016 by Dr Sean Harmer, offers a fascinating quick-start primer on the nine things you need to know about this shiny new API.

The C++ programming language is used for operating systems, web browsers, games, embedded software, autonomous cars, medical technology, and many other applications. In 2020, major companies such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, and many others relied on C++ to run their data centers, and likely they still do. Since its inception over four decades ago, C++ has expanded many times with performance, efficiency, and flexibility of use as its main design highlights. When C++20 became generally available in December 2020, we talked to a panel of C++ experts, evangelists, and devotees from both sides of the pond to understand a little more about C++ – its current position in the development community, its history, and its future. Much of what we learnt then is still relevant today.

If your project relies on MFC, you may find yourself constrained by a legacy framework that limits your ability to leverage modern productivity gains, cross-platform support, and mobile app development. KDAB has extensive experience in migrating MFC projects to Qt, ensuring minimal disruption while modernizing your systems. Discover how to transition effectively and unlock new capabilities for your applications!

Upgrading from Qt 4 to Qt 5 may seem straightforward, but potential pitfalls can complicate the process. Despite Qt 5's design to ease transitions, resource constraints and shifting priorities often delay migration from legacy frameworks. As pressure mounts to adopt newer technologies, discover the essential steps to successfully navigate this upgrade and ensure your project thrives!

Companies still using the QNX Photon microGUI face challenges with outdated hardware and unsupported technology, limiting their ability to update libraries and security patches. KDAB specializes in migrating Photon software to a modern UX framework based on Qt, and is the only QNX-recommended supplier for this essential transition. Don't get left behind—upgrade your systems today!

As we move towards ubiquitous computing, embedded software is becoming integral to everything from airplanes to toasters. This paper addresses the implications of this rapid expansion, highlighting important issues that need discussion and resolution within the industry. Explore the future of embedded software and its pervasive role in our daily lives!

New releases of the C++ language maintain incredibly strong backwards compatibility, making it easy to keep older C++ code working properly as standards march forward. C++ version from C++11 to C++23 have transformed the C++ language making it as programmer-friendly as more recent languages but with many essential benefits that continue to make it the best choice for the most demanding software-engineering projects. Modernizing your C++ may be the best way to both improve your team’s efficiency as well as future-proof your software investment. KDAB has broad, deep experience delivering cost-effective, long-term, pragmatic solutions that modernize existing C++ codebases without losing functionality during the process.

This paper outlines the sticking points migrating from OpenGL ES to OpenGL SC, with a summary of the code affected, the rationale for each change, and workarounds.

Discover the crucial link between cybersecurity and HMI design in today's threat landscape. This document explores common misconceptions, attack vectors, and the necessity of protecting your systems, whether you're a beginner or an experienced expert. Don't underestimate the vulnerabilities that can arise from your HMI!

As a front-end developer, understanding functional safety is essential, even if you focus on user interfaces. This paper highlights the importance of your role in safety-critical systems across industries like aviation and healthcare, emphasizing compliance with safety standards to prevent harm. Expand your expertise and see the bigger picture in HMI development!

Discover the value of data in software-driven businesses and how integrating software into your corporate strategy can protect physical product producers from commoditization. This insight is vital across industries, from automotive to medical devices, showcasing how effective data management can transform operations and drive data-driven decision-making. Unlock the hidden potential of your products and leverage data for business success!

This is the first part of an in-depth look at improving the visual quality and computational throughput of systems with OpenGL from a KDAB expert and the maintainer of Qt 3D, writing for the USA's premium magazine for embedded computing: RTC magazine.

This is the second part of an in-depth look at improving the visual quality and computational throughput of systems with OpenGL from a KDAB expert and the maintainer of Qt 3D, writing for the USA's premium magazine for embedded computing: RTC magazine.