Libart
Libart is a free software graphics library of functions for 2D graphics supporting a superset of the PostScript imaging model. Libart was designed to be integrated with graphics, artwork, and illustration programs. It is written in optimized C and is fully compatible with C++. With a small footprint of 10,000 lines of code, it is especially suitable for embedded applications.
| Developer(s) | Raph Levien |
|---|---|
| Written in | C |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Graphics library |
| License | LGPL or GPL |
| Website | levien.com |
Libart provides a vector graphics-based API. Cairo obsoletes almost all uses of libart.
Libart supports a very powerful imaging model, basically the same as SVG and the Java 2D API. It includes all PostScript imaging operations, and adds antialiasing and alpha-transparency.
History
Libart was a library for high-performance 2D graphics. Prior to being replaced with Cairo, it had been used as the anti-aliased rendering engine for the Gnome Canvas and for Gill, the Gnome Illustration app.
Gdk-pixbuf used to be a wrapper around libart.
A LGPL'd component of libart was also written, containing all functions needed for running the Gnome Canvas, and for printing support. The GPL'd contained various enhanced functions for specific applications.[1]
Notable usage
- Eye of GNOME depends on libart
- GNOME Canvas uses Libart as its rendering API.
- GIMP used Libart for vector rendering.
- Dia can use Libart for antialiasing and PNG export.
References
External links
- Libart (levien.com)
- Gnome Illustration app (levien.com)
- The libart library – a tutorial (gnome.org)