ORLANDO, Florida (USA) — Bohemia Interactive Simulations, a global developer of advanced simulation and training software, has released two new software developer kits for creating custom applications for VBS3, the industry’s leading desktop military simulation training package, and VBS Blue IG, BISim’s new high-performance, CIGI-compliant, 3D whole-earth image generator.
VBS Simulation SDK allows developers to customize and extend VBS3 by providing an API and suite of tools. VBS Simulation SDK includes core and simulation-specific APIs, a copy of the VBS Control Editor, which is BISim’s advanced artificial intelligence behavior editing toolkit, and a copy of VBS3. VBS Simulation SDK provides low-level and direct access to the VBS3 engine without any intermediate layer. The APIs included with VBS Simulation SDK cover everything from basic application control to mission management to environment settings. VBS Simulation SDK is ready to meet many use cases: take control of and define the path of any projectile or just create the projectile’s path as you see fit; disable the simulation for a vehicle and control its behavior by integrating your own solution; enhance your VBS3 experience with easy-to-use 3D world and screen drawing APIs.
As VBS Simulation SDK’s capabilities grow, other new APIs covering different aspects of the VBS3 functionality will be added such as external skeleton control or multiplayer and client communication management. Future releases will also provide support for new features such as direct access to the VBS Control actors and behaviors through VBS Control-specific APIs, and will provide support for HTML-based user interfaces. (Watch a video here at this link about the samples and code included with VBS Simulation SDK.)
VBS IG SDK is a set of APIs and tools for IG developers to customize or extend VBS Blue IG. The VBS IG SDK includes core and IG-specific APIs, and a copy of the VBS Blue IG runtime. VBS Blue IG customers can also access VBS IG Studio, BISim’s tool for easy multichannel and multi-machine configuration and management. Integrators building complete solutions that include a VBS3 host connected to VBS Blue IG will need both SDKs. The VBS IG SDK provides developers with low-level access to manipulating the VBS Blue IG visual scene by offering full control over environmental parameters, the movement and animation of existing VBS3 model content, positioning and attaching cameras, as well as providing an easy-to-use two-dimensional screen drawing API.
“Both the VBS Simulation SDK and VBS IG SDK share a common architecture. Once you learn one SDK you can easily understand and use the other SDK. Additionally, our SDKs and Gears approach to development are designed to be future proof, minimizing the need to redevelop existing capabilities in future versions of our software or third-party extensions,” said Cory Kumm, BISim’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. “The new SDKs bring added flexibility and modularity for BISim customers needing to create custom software applications for BISim technologies or any third-party hardware or software. The SDKs use the C programming language so developers can use a wider selection of Visual Studio versions with our SDKs and have very low-level access for complete control.”
BISim has already been using both SDKs for its own projects internally, including integration of JSBSim for new fixed wing flight modelling and CM Labs Simulations’ Vortex Studio physics engine for an infantry fighting vehicle motion-platform that was demonstrated at I/ITSEC 2017. Both SDKs come with extensive documentation and include sample projects showcasing the included APIs that can serve as starting points for developers. VBS Simulation SDK and VBS IG SDK will fully replace VBS Fusion, previously the official API used to customize all aspects of VBS3.
VBS Fusion licenses will no longer be sold actively, concurrency with VBS3 will end with VBS3 v18.2 but support will be available for as long as needed for existing projects, subject to that support being contracted prior to 30 June 2018. BISim has already been consulting extensively with heavy users of VBS Fusion on the transition to the new SDKs and will be supplying specific documentation on VBS Fusion to SDK transition to minimize disruption during the transition period.
See demonstrations of VBS Simulation SDK and VBS IG SDK at BISim’s booth #D40 at ITEC 2018, Europe’s forum for the Military Simulation, Training and Education community, in Stuttgart, Germany, from May 15-17. BISim will offer two free tutorials led by Senior Director of Development Otakar Nieder on how to create new plugins for VBS3 using the VBS Simulation SDK at ITEC 2018 on Wednesday, May 16, at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
BOHEMIA INTERACTIVE SIMULATIONS
Founded in 2001, Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) is a global software company at the forefront of simulation and training solutions for defense and civilian organizations. Our mission is to harness the explosive potential of technology to revolutionize training and simulation.
BISim utilizes the latest game-based technology and a large, experienced in-house team of engineers to develop high-fidelity, cost-effective training and simulation software products and components for defense applications.