HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY
COLLAGE OF COMPUTING AND
INFORMATICS
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCES
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS
TITLE: OVERVIEW OF TRANSFORMATIONS IN SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT
NAME: MOHAMMED ALI
ID NO:3515/14
SUBMITTED DATE:NOV 9,2024
Submitted to Mr. Kidane w.
Haramaya, Ethiopia
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................3
2. Overview of Transformations in Software Development ................................... 3
3. Transformations in Godot .............................................................................3
4. Transformations in Unity ............................................................................. 4
5. Transformations in Unreal Engine ............................................................... 4
6. Transformations in Blender ..........................................................................4
7. Transformations in GLM (OpenGL Mathematics) ...................................... 5
8. Comparative Summary of Transformational Capabilities ............................5
9. Conclusion ....................................................................................................5
10. References .................................................................................................. 6
1. Introduction
This report provides a comprehensive review of how various professional software
tools implement and utilize transformations in 3D space. Transformations, which
include translation, rotation, and scaling, are fundamental to graphics development,
enabling seamless manipulation of objects in virtual environments. Here, we focus on
the transformation capabilities in five software tools: Godot, Unity, Unreal Engine,
Blender, and GLM (OpenGL Mathematics Library).
2. Overview of Transformations in Software Development
Transformations are critical in software development, particularly within 3D graphics
and simulations. They allow developers to position, rotate, and scale objects in virtual
spaces, creating immersive, interactive, and realistic scenes. Three core
transformations include:
Translation: Moving objects from one place to another.
Rotation: Changing an object’s orientation in space.
Scaling: Adjusting the size of an object.
Each software tool has unique ways of handling these transformations, often
customized to fit its primary use cases, whether it’s game development, animation, or
custom graphics engines.
3. Transformations in Godot
Godot provides a user-friendly approach to transformations with a well-structured
interface for both 2D and 3D transformations. It uses a node-based system that allows
hierarchical transformations, which means you can group objects and apply
transformations to entire sets. Godot’s scripting language, GDScript, supports matrix
transformations, enabling efficient manipulation of objects and smooth animations.
This makes Godot especially attractive for indie game developers who need flexibility
and simplicity.
4. Transformations in Unity
Unity’s transformation capabilities are robust, centered around the Transform
component that controls position, rotation, and scale. Unity’s API provides methods
that make it easy to manage transformations programmatically, while the editor
allows for real-time adjustments. Unity also includes functions for coordinate space
conversions, simplifying tasks like positioning objects relative to the camera or world.
These tools make Unity a popular choice for creating interactive, real-time
applications.
5. Transformations in Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine offers transformations through its Actor and Component systems,
giving developers control over object manipulation within scenes. Known for its
visually rich editor, Unreal Engine allows for real-time transformations and detailed
adjustments. The Blueprint system is particularly powerful, enabling developers—
even without coding experience—to manage complex transformations and animations
intuitively. This versatility makes Unreal Engine a preferred choice for high-end game
development and complex virtual environments.
6. Transformations in Blender
Blender provides a full suite of tools for 3D transformations, with support for
translation, rotation, and scaling directly on the mesh in Object Mode. Blender’s
interface is optimized for precision, with keyboard shortcuts and graphical tools that
make transformations easy to control. Additionally, Blender’s advanced animation
toolkit leverages transformations, making it ideal for creating detailed, realistic
animations and simulations. These features position Blender as a top choice for 3D
artists and animators.
7. Transformations in GLM (OpenGL Mathematics)
GLM is a mathematics library developed for OpenGL and graphics applications,
providing matrix and vector classes for 3D transformations. While it lacks a visual
interface, GLM is designed for performance and is highly optimized, making it
popular for developers who need low-level control over transformations in custom
engines or graphics-heavy applications. GLM’s efficient code allows developers to
handle transformations without the need for an editor, giving flexibility to those
building from scratch.
8. Comparative Summary of Transformational Capabilities
Each software tool reviewed has unique strengths suited to various aspects of 3D
development:
Unity and Unreal Engine are excellent for real-time transformations in
games, offering intuitive editors and extensive scripting support.
Godot shines with its simplicity and flexibility, making it well-suited for
smaller projects or indie games.
Blender excels in animation and 3D modeling, providing robust tools for
artists and animators.
GLM offers a performance-focused approach, ideal for developers requiring
low-level control and custom transformation handling.
9. Conclusion
Transformations are central to 3D software tools, enabling the fundamental movement,
orientation, and scaling of objects in virtual spaces. This report has highlighted the
capabilities of Godot, Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, and GLM, offering insights for
developers on which tools best suit their transformation needs.
10. References
1. Godot Engine - [Link]
2. Unity - [Link]
3. Unreal Engine - [Link]
4. Blender - [Link]
5. GLM - [Link]
