What is Open Asset Import Library?
Open Asset Import Library, in short Assimp, is a cross-platform library to import and convert 3D model files. The different file formats are converted into a hierarchical data structure, enabling a programmer to support a wider range of model formats in a single, comprehensive way.
Figure 1.20 shows the key elements and their relationships:
Figure 1.20: A simplified version of Assimp’s data structures
Let us take a closer look at these data structures and their functions:
aiSceneis the central element of Assimp’s data structure. The root node entry, all information about the polygonal meshes, the materials, and the animations are stored in theaiSceneelement.- The root node of
aiScenepoints to a structure calledaiNode. In everyaiNode, possible child nodes are stored, eventually creating a node tree. Also, a transform matrix resides in theaiNodestructure, defining the local transformation, relative...
