Google Summer of Code 2007

Published by Bart on March 15th, 2007 in 3D News

Yes! The Google Summer of Code 2007 has opened its doors and the Blender Foundation's application has been accepted. The GSoC, which sponsors students who develop new functionality for participating open source applications, has brought us new many new features in the past such as fluids, the sculpt tool and the modifier stack.

From the GSoC website:

What is Google Summer of Code?

Google Summer of CodeTM is a program that offers student developers stipends to write code for various open source projects. Google will be working with a several open source, free software and technology-related groups to identify and fund several projects over a three month period. Historically, the program has brought together over 1,000 students with over 100 open source projects, to create hundreds of thousands of lines of code. The program, which kicked off in 2005, is now in its third year, following on from a very successful 2006.

If you have a project and you would like to apply, you can do so directly at the Google Summer of Code website. Please, also communicate your intentions to the Blender developers using the bf-committers maillist. And if you are out of inspiration, check out the wiki, which contains a list of suggestions for projects.

Please DO keep an eye on the deadline: your application has to be in before march 24th!

Related posts are selected automatically based on their content.

50 Responses to “Google Summer of Code 2007”

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1 Bmud Mar 15th, 2007 at 8:16 pm

I can't wait to see what becomes of SoC for Blender in 2007. I think, as a free app, it has already achieved some sort of perfection. Maybe cooler tools? Maybe more GUI feedback? Maybe speed improvements? It feels like it's on a lot of bleeding edges already (except maybe that GUI feedback thing)

If Blender could use anything more, I'd say its the renewal of that feeling that was present in older versions — that everything is running off of more universal cores. The nodes system is helping with this — post processing effects and materials using the same GUI, and the Retopo tool is a good "translator".

I'll return with a smarter comment once I've properly browsed this wiki list.
2 waran Mar 15th, 2007 at 9:00 pm

Whats about a decent Bevel-Tool?
3 Gez Mar 15th, 2007 at 9:03 pm

I don't mean "copy them" but I saw pretty nice new features in the Zbrush3 promo video. :-)
The tool that allows to texture a mesh cloning a 2D photo, or the sketch sculpt tool are my favourites.

Thinking of it. Just a simple cloner in the texture paint tool would be a great addition (I mean in the 3D space. I already know that there is a clone tool in the UV/image editor).
4 tom Mar 15th, 2007 at 9:10 pm

clouds clouds clouds !! :) I love clouds… maybe I should attend @ SoC, too? Or is there someone already writing on something to render clouds ?
5 ccherrett Mar 15th, 2007 at 9:14 pm

I would like to see volumetric rendering and and and :)
6 dave Mar 15th, 2007 at 9:36 pm

I would love to see proper Collada support with animation.
7 Rave_Zero Mar 15th, 2007 at 9:48 pm

It would be nice to see a newer/improved version of Blenders WEB-Plugin, to create real-time 3D websites and interactive content.
8 bob Mar 15th, 2007 at 10:04 pm

integration with freestyle!
9 tynach Mar 15th, 2007 at 10:22 pm

With the nodes + fluid + Ztransp, its already possible to do clouds. Its what my computer is simulating right now.

But yes, REAL volumetric halo rendering would be sweat! They have it for spot-lights, why not meshes?
10 Satish "ILuvBlender" Goda Mar 15th, 2007 at 10:28 pm

We need awesome Bevel tool please……..
11 tynach Mar 15th, 2007 at 10:37 pm

We need better booleans!
12 toontje Mar 15th, 2007 at 11:29 pm

Flesh out Nurbana already!
13 Bill Mar 16th, 2007 at 1:01 am

I second the request for better collada import/export. Collada has quickly become an industry standard file format for 3d, and it would enable blender to fit into all kinds of workflows nicely.
14 Bruno Mar 16th, 2007 at 1:50 am

A bridge tool !!! Please!!
15 Roberto Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:04 am

Free-Style! Free-Style!
I think Freestyle (http://freestyle.sourceforge.net) is one of the most interesting extensions one could find in Blender. A step towards freedom: Blender just has many levels of choice in the way you render surfaces, but is not so flexible on contours and silhouettes. Freestyle would make our beloved 3d app one of the most complete artist tools out there!
16 grafixsuz Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:32 am

What about aliona's suggestion to implement fire, smoke simulator into blender see here http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=91482&page=2
17 grafixsuz Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:49 am

Sorry guys just scroll to the bottom of the page
18 Rob W Mar 16th, 2007 at 4:15 am

Is it time for Summer of Code again already? Wow, time really flies. Well, here's my two cents for some ideas.

A standard external-renderer API-layer would be nice. That way, using an external renderer is a matter of using its own "driver" that translates to the standard API. This doesn't have to be Python. Ideally, it would be C and have more direct access to internals. (Although Python could interact with the API with bindings or in other ways.)

An eventual and more ambitious goal might be to have the internal renderer factored out as a default external renderer (i.e. the reference standard renderer, and usable as a stand-alone renderer also), where choosing a renderer is abstracted away to where you could choose any renderer and the nodes, etc. would use the API for input/output to the renderer.
19 Unsettlingsilence Mar 16th, 2007 at 4:23 am

I second the Free-style! I've wished for that since I first saw Free-style last year. It allow us to do cartoon animation easily.
20 claas Mar 16th, 2007 at 5:25 am

so whats up with the with sky generator in the last SOC ???
21 grafixsuz Mar 16th, 2007 at 5:32 am

@claas I suppose it died in the butt. The poor guy had too many people giving him a hard time. Even past the deadline I believe he was working on it, just too much I suppose.
22 clinton Mar 16th, 2007 at 6:16 am

I deffinately think volumetrics would be awesome. I love clouds, and fire, and smoke, and explosions and all that jazz! March on Volumetric lovers, march on!!!
23 gasdia73 Mar 16th, 2007 at 7:24 am

Nurbana!!! , web plugin!!!!! :)
24 NFRancis Mar 16th, 2007 at 8:13 am

Its a shame that Blender is not focusing more on interoperability with other 3D apps - all major packages have very solid support for FBX or Collada. Blender coninously ignores these. The collada support is going absolutely nowhere fast. My company tried to fund the continued development of the Collada ex/importers, but without getting any interest.

At the moment that means blender cannot effectively be used for game development - there is no data path for a simple skinned rig between this program and any normal toolchains used throughout the industry.

Adding support for FBX or getting the Collada support back on track would solve this issue and make blender available to a new field
25 BeBraw Mar 16th, 2007 at 8:51 am

FBX SDK is not compatible with GPL (http://projects.blender.org/pipermail/bf-funboard/2005-January/002533.html). One would have to code the support by using Python as it doesn't have such restrictions. Perhaps you could use Wings3D to handle FBX? I am not sure how well it does support it though.
26 tom Mar 16th, 2007 at 9:25 am

Also a quick note, historically google has allocated the number of projects accepted by the number of total applicants to a project. So even if you think your project might be rejected it is worth applying.

NFRancis,

Collada support is progressing, just not as fast as I would like :) I too hope we get someone who applys to improve Collada support since it is important. Whom did you try to fund for Collada? I don't recall seeing any offers anywhere - if your company is still interested I could put you in contact with the current coders who are working on it.

LetterRip
27 Commodo Mar 16th, 2007 at 9:48 am

VOXEL !
28 hehe Mar 16th, 2007 at 10:25 am

A web plug-in should be very good !

integrated in Firefox by defaut ( like "svg" is) should be still better !
29 Dribble X Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:14 pm

Better VRML2-Support could be nice, VRML2 is supported by a lot of CAD-Applications.

Alternative: STEP or IGES-Support. :)
30 MikeMartin Mar 16th, 2007 at 1:09 pm

Motion matching.
31 Slowboy Mar 16th, 2007 at 1:48 pm

Node based Logic Panel! That would be lovely ;]
32 Cloudsk!pper Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:07 pm

More and improved tools! :)
Also Fire, Smoke and Clouds would be very nice! :P
33 Frank Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:23 pm

How about dump the awful build-in editor, and make a nice emacs-in-blender-python-integration (debugging support etc.). Also, I'd like to have "Dia/Visio drawing functionality" inside blender.. Flowchart support, connected graphs, UML
34 Frank Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:24 pm

Ok.. one more: I hate gimp multiple windows interface. How about a project porting Gimp to Blender. We could have a "Gimp mode" inside Blender.
35 Willie Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:29 pm

I'd be happy with a Select Doubles item on the Select menu, right below Select Triangles. Maybe even use Ctrl Alt Shift 2 as the hotkey…
36 spamagnet Mar 16th, 2007 at 2:43 pm

Full Renderman output would be nice, since there are some promising FOSS render engines (Aqsis and Pixie), as well as commercial/proprietary. This might also help to integrate MakeHuman.
37 WT Mar 16th, 2007 at 4:30 pm

IDEA & Suggestion —->> Export / Render to Flash (SWF)

I believe that native built-in support within Blender, for Export/Render to SWF format would be a wonderful and powerful addition to Blenders already incredible tool set. In the past it has been attempted and proven, proof of concept (ie: S2flender & SWFexport), however never largely further developed upon (to my knowledge - if so please advise =). With the Flash Players proven 98% penetration and the proven recent advancements in Flash and 3D capabilities (ie: PaperVision, Sandy 3D Flash API, SWFZ Engine), coupled with the advancements coming in Flash 9 and AS3 to be released sometime this summer (projected). I think the time is right to consider this as an addition to the Blender 3D software and the Google Summer of Code would be a wonderful opportunity for development and implementation.

I for one (could be the key phase to the whole post ;-), feel its a perfect time to review the notion of SWF support natively within the Blender 3D application. I think it would be a wonderful advancement that would allow Blender to gain further penetration and awareness, increase its user base, and add recognition as a viable source for integrated 3D development, in addition proving yet again the power of the open source movement and Blender 3D. Given the current technologies and support among the said technologies I think this would be a wonderful project for the Google Summer of Code 2007 Blender Project.

Unfortunately I am not the individual that can accomplish such a task nor has the needed skills to see it through, However I am passionate about both Blender and Flash and think the capable connection between the two applications would be an advancement to both technologies and usage base. I think if possible and seen through successfully, that it would have huge positive impact for the Blender Foundation and the Blender App based on the Flash Players 98% penetration, if successful it could bring enormous attention to the Blender 3D movement in my opinion.

This is merely something I was hoping someone may consider and think about. I also acknowledge there is probably a round map and other items more presently desired by Blenders current user base, I just feel this capability could expand upon those things if considered. (sorry, if this is in fact the wrong place to present this)

Thank you,
WT

Related Links Referenced to Above —

Flash Player Penetration - 98% of internet users!
http://www.adobe.com/products/player_census/flashplayer/

Previous Attempts to show its possible to combine Blender and Flash (but seemingly outdated):
1.) S2flender - (http://www3.sympatico.ca/emilio.aguirre/s2flender.html)
2.) SWFexport - (http://www.angelfire.com/nt/teklord/swfexport.htm)
– to name a few as seen above–

Current Flash 3D technologies:
1.) PaperVision (supports Collada format)- (http://blog.papervision3d.org) Supports: Collada format - Reference to Blender and Papervision (http://www.rockonflash.com/blog/?p=29)
2.) Sandy 3D Flash API - (http://www.flashsandy.org/blog/)
3.) SWFZ Engine (will support .obj, .3ds etc)- (http://www.custommedia.co.nz/) + (http://www.custommedia.co.nz/swfz-engine/dev/)
– to name a few as seen above –

Adobe Flash Player opens to Open Source (Also Interesting):
(http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200611/110706Mozilla.html)
38 WT Mar 16th, 2007 at 4:37 pm

******* Sorry fixed the above links so you dont have to copy past. *******

Related Links Referenced to Above —

Flash Player Penetration - 98% of internet users!
http://www.adobe.com/products/player_census/flashplayer/

Previous Attempts to show its possible to combine Blender and Flash (but seemingly outdated):
1.) S2flender - http://www3.sympatico.ca/emilio.aguirre/s2flender.html
2.) SWFexport - http://www.angelfire.com/nt/teklord/swfexport.htm
– to name a few as seen above–

Current Flash 3D technologies:
1.) PaperVision (supports Collada format)- http://blog.papervision3d.org Supports: Collada format - Reference to Blender and Papervision http://www.rockonflash.com/blog/?p=29
2.) Sandy 3D Flash API - http://www.flashsandy.org/blog/
3.) SWFZ Engine (will support .obj, .3ds etc)- http://www.custommedia.co.nz/ + http://www.custommedia.co.nz/swfz-engine/dev/
– to name a few as seen above –

Adobe Flash Player opens to Open Source (Also Interesting):
http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200611/110706Mozilla.html
39 WT Mar 16th, 2007 at 4:42 pm

***** Sorry for messing up the links listed above by using () so you have to copy past, was not my intention - sorry, I tried to repost the links but it wont allow as it sees it as a duplicate post, sorry again =) However they are worth looking at =)
40 Erik Sejersen Mar 16th, 2007 at 5:04 pm

Tangent baking? Thought Ton was working on that :(?? Really been looking forward to be able to make such an image for the game engine or even for ogre3d to try it out :(!
41 amoose Mar 16th, 2007 at 5:06 pm

please a (good) sound recorder thats built into blender
42 Engys Mar 17th, 2007 at 2:19 am

A particle material to fade meta particles age based for smoke, dust and fire?
43 Calvin Mar 17th, 2007 at 9:21 am

Well, since the first day of blender I've been praying for sound support. Maybe for GSOC someone can go all out and make sounds travel in 3d space. Think: Animate sound attached to an empty.
44 Dribble X Mar 18th, 2007 at 1:11 am

A screensaver for "distributed rendering", something like the seti@home-project, would be nice.
45 qedqubit Mar 19th, 2007 at 11:14 pm

this should have been integrated a long time ago, so ill write it in capitals: A MACRORECORDER !!!
46 Peter Mar 20th, 2007 at 1:22 am

Seeing as Blender already uses OpenAL for audio, making sounds travel in 3D space would be very easy.

http://www.openal.org/

Random comment, I flew through Amsterdam last week and couldn't help but think of Ton. :)
47 Peter Mar 20th, 2007 at 1:25 am

Considering that Blender uses OpenAL for audio already, full sound support in 3D space would be really easy.

http://www.openal.org/
48 TroutMask Mar 22nd, 2007 at 11:11 pm

quoted for agreement. i would have hoped all the work turning Nurbana into a library for Blender would not be in vain.

- Flesh out Nurbana already!
49 qedqubit Mar 26th, 2007 at 4:12 pm

hmm… SecondLife is gaining popularity (a 3D place to virtuallee B..) and has gone opensource to stimulate people building 3D stuff for it; so blender import/export would give such people that possibility & blender a huge user-group.
BUT even further-reached: why not make a virtual city with blender-irc-verse ? sponsored links inside the virtual city could generate pingping so Ton could actually hire some extra c++ programmers !
(and have them program some of the tedious tasks the volunteers might not get around to/postpone)
uhm i hope this is a positive contribution/idea
50 qedqubit Mar 26th, 2007 at 4:29 pm

oops the export to SecondLife part is already there : http://www.3pointd.com/20060602/create-sl-objects-in-blender-if-you-dare/
but istill think it be nice if this exportability, or the combination of blender + other 3d soft would lead to a money generating concept which might continously fund opensource efforts