OpenRT Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions - General

Is OpenRT an Open Source Project?

No, it isn't. The term "Open"RT only puns on "Open"GL, as the OpenRT Realtime Ray Tracing API was explicitly designed to be similar to the well-known OpenGL API. The implementation behind the OpenRT API, however, is not open source.

 

When, where, and how can I get OpenRT?

As of SIGGRAPH 2005, we have decided to make a slightly resticted, binary version of OpenRT available for noncommercial, academic use only. This will be made available only shortly AFTER SIGGRAPH (once we are all back to handle the work associated with this release). All information regarding the public release will be announced on the noncommercial@openrt.de mailing list. If you are interested, please subscribe to this list via visiting https://scihparg.cs.uni-sb.de/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/noncommercial. Please carefully read the information and announcements on that page.

Can I get the OpenRT sources?

No, you can't.

Frequently Asked Questions - Non-Commercial Version

Help? I'm using OpenRT, but I've got a problem. Where can I ask for help?

We cannot offer professional support for the noncommercial version. However, we are interested in feedback, found bugs, etc. For all other kinds of questions (how's that working? How can I best do this or that?), we will soon announce a mailing list to which people can direct these questions. Other OpenRT users may have had the problem before, and might know a solution. The existing OpenRT community will listen in on this mailing list, and might help as well, though this is not guaranteed.

Can I use the noncommercial version to write software for others?

No, you can't. You will need a commercial license for that.

Will shaders/applications written with the noncommercial version work with the commercial version?

No, they won't. Their source will compile unmodified in both the commercial and noncommercial SDKs, but the executables will be incompatible.

Can I use the noncommercial version for evaluating wether I/my company should commercially/professionally use OpenRT technology?

No, you shouldn't. The commercial version has several additional features that are not included in the noncommercial version (see below). Please contact inTrace Realtime Ray Tracing Technologies GmbH for an evaluation license.

Can I use OpenRT for an academic project (course, class, paper, ...)?

Yes, you can. However, note the following:

• We cannot provide any kind of support. Even if you run into OpenRT-specific problems shortly before your paper deadline, we might not be able to help you.
• We would like to be acknowledged.
• We would like to be informed about your paper. We want to keep track of the cool things that are being done with OpenRT, and would like to list them on the web page.
  

I've got a cool example/demo. Are you interested in that?

Yes, we are. We intend to list such "OpenRT gems" on a special section of the web site. We will soon announce how to reach us on that respect...

Frequently Asked Questions - Commercial Version

Can I buy OpenRT Technology?

Yes, you can. A full, non-restricted version of the OpenRT technology for commercial use (including professional support), as well as the inView frontend application, shaders, etc. is available from inTrace Realtime Ray Tracing Technologies GmbH. Please contact inTrace Realtime Ray Tracing Technologies GmbH directly for any questions concerning the commercial use of OpenRT.

Why would I need the commercial version?

There are several reasons for getting the commercial versions:

• The noncommercial version is restricted in several technical aspects, e.g. it does not have cluster support, does only support scenes up to a certain complexity, does not include all plugins, shaders, etc.
• Shaders written for the noncommercial version will not work with the commercial version.
• You may not use the noncommercial version for making money, nor to write OpenRT software for others, nor in your everyday worklife except for academic, noncommercial purposes.
• There is professional support available for the commercial version, including bugfixing, consulting, etc.

How much does it cost to buy OpenRT?

This depends very much on your hardware architecture, your preferred operating system and the amount of CPU's you would like to use with OpenRT, please contact inTrace Realtime Ray Tracing Technologies GmbH directly for further questions concerning the commercial use of OpenRT.

What exactly does the commercial version of OpenRT offer?

Most important, it doesn't have the restrictions that we have listed above. Please contact inTrace Realtime Ray Tracing Technologies GmbH directly for any questions concerning the commercial use of OpenRT.

How can I evaluate OpenRT?

Please contact inTrace Realtime Ray Tracing Technologies GmbH for an evaluation license.