F3d

For F3D users:
- Added `--animation-autoplay` option (libf3d: `scene.animation.autoplay`) to automatically start animation on file load
- Added an experimental `vdb` plugin in order to read .vdb files using OpenVDB
- Added an `usd` plugin in order to read .usd files using OpenUSD
- Added .3mf and .x files support in the `assimp` plugin
- Added a small margin between the model and the grid to avoid potential z-fighting
- Added VTK output to the log when using `--verbose=debug` for easier debug
- Reworked the `alembic` plugin to read Texture Coordinates and Normals for .abc files
- Improved the reading of EXR files using multi-threading for better performance when loading HDRIs
- Improved the documentation on https://f3d.app
- Improved general logging in order to make it easier to understand issues with file and options
- Fixed potential crashes when reading `assimp` plugin file formats
- Fixed `--grid-absolute` for off-center models
- Fixed an issue with thumbnail generation showing the log window
- Fixed many interaction issues on non-Qwerty keyboard layout
- Fixed handling of filenames containing commas
- Fixed an issue on Windows where the log window would appear on top of F3D window
- Fixed crashes with specific .obj file
- Fixed an issue with incorrect return code when using headless mode or incorrect options
- Fixed dependency issue with the headless .deb binary release
- Fixed a crash when using a file with more than 254 bones (Requires OpenGL 4.3)
- Fixed an issue with Unicode filenames on the title bar on Windows
- Fixed an issue where focal point picking would generate error messages
- Changed `--verbose` into a string based option, eg: `--verbose=quiet` or `--verbose=debug`. `--verbose` is still supported.
- Changed `--no-render` behavior so that it doesn't impact verbosity anymore
- Changed the default configuration file so that translucency support is enabled by default
- Deprecated `--quiet`, use `--verbose=quiet` instead
- Deprecated `--input`, use positional argument instead

For libf3d users:
- Added `scene.animation.autoplay` option
- Added a `f3d::image::saveBuffer` API to save an image as a file format in memory
- Fixed the default name of the window

For F3D packagers:
- Added a new optional dependency, OpenUSD. Enable with `F3D_PLUGIN_BUILD_USD` CMake option
- Added a new optional dependency through VTK, OpenVDB. Enable with `F3D_PLUGIN_BUILD_VDB` CMake option
- Added a new CMake option to control the link against libatomic. Control with `F3D_LINUX_LIBRARY_LINK_ATOMIC`
- Added two new packages to the list, OpenMandriva and Mageia

For F3D users:
- Added a native Apple Silicon release package
- Added new options `hdri-file`, `hdri-ambient`, `hdri-skybox` to have more control on the HDRI behavior
- Added a default HDRI used when providing no `hdri-file`
- Added bindings to toggle HDRI ambient lighting (`F`) and HDRI skybox (`J`)
- Added bindings to move the camera to standard locations: `1`: Front, `3`: Right, `7`: Top, `9`: Isometric
- Added [Open CASCADE BRep format](https://dev.opencascade.org/doc/overview/html/specification__brep_format.html) to the OCCT plugin.
- Fixed an infamous issue when the Windows thumbnailer always steal the focus
- Fixed an issue with the binary release when opening draco files
- Fixed an issue with matcap textures
- Fixed an issue with HDRI lighting
- Fixed an issue with HDRI lighting when dropping HDRI after a model
- Fixed an issue where invalid option would not show on Windows
- Fixed an issue where previously loaded file would stay visible
- Fixed an issue when loading invalid EXR file as HDRI
- Fixed cheatsheet menu rendering under 'Drop File Instructor'
- Fixed raytracing rendering issues
- Improved cheatsheet menu contrast for any background color
- Improved overall text contrast for any background color
- Improved performance when changing model and using a HDRI
- Improved HDRI cache performance
- Deprecated `hdri` option

For libf3d users:
- Reworked image API to support many file formats to read (EXR, HDR) and write (PNG, JPG, TIF, BMP)
- Added `render.hdri.file`, `render.hdri.ambient`, `render.background.skybox` options.
- Deprecated `render.background.hdri` in favor of new options above
- Deprecated previous image API
- Add `loader::loadGeometry` allowing loading geometry from memory buffers

For developers:
- Added a deprecation framework
- Removed `F3D_TESTING_ENABLE_HDRI_TESTS` cmake option and merged it with `F3D_TESTING_ENABLE_LONG_TIMEOUT_TESTS`
- Added a Getting Started guide for beginners developers

For F3D packagers:
- Fixed compatibility with FreeBSD

For F3D users:
- Reworked Animation support and added many animation related options
- Added `--camera-direction` and `--camera-zoom-factor` and use it in default config file
- Added `--texture-matcap` option to load a MatCap texture
- Added support for opening HDRI background with Drop
- Added .exr support for HDRI and textures
- Improved HDRI caching performance
- Added a EGL headless binary release
- Added typo suggestion when failing to use the right option name
- Added `--invert-zoom` option (libf3d: `interactor.invert-zoom`) to invert zoom direction with right-click on mouse
- Added support for keeping camera position when reloading a file with `UP` key
- Added a `--grid-absolute` option (libf3d: `render.grid.absolute`) to position the grid instead of being below the model
- Added a "Drop Zone" when starting F3D without loading a file
- Added coloring support for STEP files in binary release
- Fixed an issue on Windows where the error window would popup even with `--quiet`
- Fixed an issue with 16 bit and 32 bit textures with assimp plugin
- Fixed an issue on Windows where errors where not visible
- Fixed an HDRI issue on reload
- Fixed a crash when with the progress bar on reloading a file
- Fixed an issue where certain options from config file would be ignored
- Fixed a crash with many GLTF files when an array does not have a name
- Fixed an issue where dropping a duplicate file would change the loaded file instead of not doing anything
- Fixed an issue when loading an unsupported file
- Fixed an issue with VRML files
- Improved config file for .ply files
- Improved config file regex so that they are case-insensitive
- Improved `--up` option to support no sign and better validation
- Improved F3D version reporting about itself and VTK (`--version`)
- Improved documentation, testing, help
- Excluded TIFF format from Windows Thumbnailer
- Changed the automatic camera position to a version more close to the data
- Reduced size of binary release by a factor of two

For developers:
- Added vcpkg support for dependency installation

For F3D packagers:
- Added a `F3D_PLUGIN_OCCT_COLORING_SUPPORT` CMake variable to control if this feature is compiled, default is ON
- Added `SONAME` support
- Added a `F3D_PLUGINS_INSTALL_DIR` CMake variable to control where to install plugins
- Added a new module: `F3D_MODULE_EXR` that depends on openexr
- Added support to use external `cxxopts` and external `nlohmann-json`
- Fixed a link issue with VTK modules
- Fixed a `loader_path` issue on MacOS
- Added support for `CMAKE_INSTALL_*DIR` variables on installation
- Added support for building against a EGL enabled VTK
- Fixed a compilation issue with VTK master

Contributors: DeveloperPaul123 topazus bkmgit snoyer Meakk mwestphal

For F3D users:
- Removed `--fullscreen` options completely
- Added a `--position` option to set the position of the F3D window
- Added a `--light-intensity` option and associated bindings
- Improved fish and zsh completion
- Added a new interaction to center the camera on the point under the cursor using *middle* mouse button
- Added HDRi caching for improved performance
- Added scene bounding box to the dump interaction
- Reworked lighting for fullscene format files
- Improved grid rendering and customization greatly with new options
- Improved HDRi blur performance and customization
- Added support for reading config file directory instead of a single file
- Changed config file location on Windows
- PostFX option names have been changed
- Added an interaction (down arrow) to load all files from the directory containing the current file
- Added a `--group-geometries` option to load multiple default scene file into a single render window

For libf3d users:
- Reworked loader API from scratch
- Fixed an issue with engine creation in the Python bindings
- Fixed an issue with image Python bindings
- Improved libf3d examples
- Added experimental javascript bindings based on webassembly/emscriptem
- Added dynamic support for all `model` options
- Added plugin SDK to create your own plugins for any file format

For F3D packagers:
- Added plugins support for true optional dependencies
- Added a `F3D_APPLICATION_LINK_FILESYSTEM` CMake option to control if F3D should link explicitly against libstdc++fs
- Removed most of `F3D_INSTALL_` options with the switch to a component-based approach
- Removed installation of useless static libs from VTKExtensions (needs VTK master)
- Fixed RPATH of F3D for system using lib64 instead of lib
- Many CMake option name changed
- Fixed data license to use only permissive license for F3D testing data
- Removed packaging support from F3D

Contributors: snoyer mzf-guest CharlesGueunet myd7349 allemangD Meakk mwestphal

- Fix raytracing support
- Fix macOS window positioning

Contributors: mwestphal Meakk

Main new features and fixes:
- Introducing an alpha version of the libf3d, see below for more information
- Added a --font-file option
- Added support for Alembic file format (.abc). Geometry only. Thanks a lot nyue.
- Fixed many HDRI issues
- Fixed an important drag and drop issue on linux

Other fixes:
- Fixed many doc and UI typos
- Fixed shell completion
- Fixed multiple issue with image comparison
- Fixed an issue with --line-width and --point-size with full scene formats
- Fixed an issue with translucent object and RGBA texture
- Fixed issues with a few specific .gltf files
- Fixed a window title issue on MacOS
- Fixed multiple issues with the output window on Windows
- Fixed issues with file association and thumbnails on Windows
- Fixed a small issue with the cheatsheet not appearing in some cases
- Fixed an issue with certain .obj files
- Fixed a clipping issue when setting camera position
- Removed fullscreen hotkey

For F3D developers:
- Updated cxxopts to 3.0.0
- Now using json.hpp for parsing json config file
- Better reproducible build support
- Improved CI with coverage, sanitizer, dedicated actions for dependencies
- Complete rework of the architecture to separate F3D, the application, the libf3d (see below) and a VTKExtensions layer.
- Improved unit testing by adding test in the libf3d and VTKExtensions layer

For libf3d users:
- Introducing an alpha version of the libf3d!
- The libf3d is a C++ library to open and render 3D meshes, it is of course used by F3D and supports python bindings
- More info available in README_libf3d.md

Binary Release Information:
- The binary release is **not** built with raytracing support
- This binary release is built with assimp 5.1.2, animation for assimp formats is not working well

Contributors: schuhumi herrriehm rafcon-dev mzf-guest nyue jpouderoux Meakk mwestphal