openBVE is an open source

Open source

The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...

 train simulation

Train simulator

A train simulator is a computer based simulation of rail transport operations.-Industrial train simulations:Like flight simulators, train simulators have been produced for railway training purposes...

 framework for the Windows, Mac OS X

Mac OS X

Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...

, and Linux

Linux

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...

 platforms. Written largely in C#, Development began on 10 April 2008, and the first stable version, 1.0.0.0, was released on 23 March 2009. openBVE uses both the OpenGL

OpenGL

OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language, cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. OpenGL...

 graphics renderer and the OpenAL

OpenAL

OpenAL is a cross-platform audio API. It is designed for efficient rendering of multichannel three dimensional positional audio. Its API style and conventions deliberately resemble those of OpenGL.- History :...

 audio engine, and is distributed along with C# and C

C (programming language)

C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....

 source code

Source code

In computer science, source code is text written using the format and syntax of the programming language that it is being written in. Such a language is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing source...

. Several content editors are freely available from openBVE project's website.

Trains in openBVE can be operated either from a third-person external view or a first-person perspective, with the latter positioning the user at the controls of the cab. These cab interiors, along with the general realism and accuracy of openBVE, have received praise from commentators. In addition, add-ons such as trains or routes produced for BVE Trainsim

BVE Trainsim

BVE Trainsim is a Japanese three-dimensional computer-based train simulator. It is notable for focusing on providing an accurate driving experience as viewed from inside the cab, rather than creating a network of other trains—other trains passed along the route are only displayed as stationary...

(Boso View Express) can be read by openBVE.

Development

The current version of openBVE has numerous additional features compared to BVE Trainsim:

• New commands and arguments to the original BVE Trainsim file formats allowing the use of openBVE's new features
• Route and train selection
• Simulation of toppling, and derailing train cars
• Advanced visual settings (bi-linear, tri-linear, anisotropic filtering, custom resolutions, motion blur)
• Supports BVE 2 and 4 plugins including ATS and other safety systems
• 360 Full View, external views, 3d cab support, and other camera enhancements
• Animated Object support via new file format
• File format support for PNG, BMP, GIF, and JPEG textures.

Train Simulation Framework

Train Simulation Framework is the intended successor of the current "openBVE 1" and will feature a different renderer, which allows for better framerates, among other things. The openBVE 2 Renderer Demo has been shut down and is no longer available.

Object Viewer

This tool allows to preview one or more object files. The camera can be moved, rotated and zoomed. (version 1.2.11.0; Released 7 January 2011)

Object Bender

This tool allows to concatenate object segments and to bend the resulting mesh. This is useful to create curved objects such as rails, walls, embankments, etc. The segments can be of B3D or CSV format. (version 1.0.0.0; Released 13 August 2010)

Route Viewer

This tool allows to preview route files. The camera can be moved, rotated and zoomed. You can jump to stations and points of interest, and also enable a series of options.
(version 1.2.11.0; Released 7 January 2011)

Train Editor

This tool can be used to help on editing "train.dat". You can configure the train characteristics, preview the acceleration curves and edit the motor sound curves.
(version 1.0.3.0; Released 12 April 2009).

Users

• London Transport Museum - Uses OpenBVE to provide a simulation platform for visits to try within mock underground rolling stock.