openvdb
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Description:
Sparse volumetric data processing toolkit
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: volumetric vfx graphics c-plus-plus simulation sparse-data
Install: brew install openvdb
About:
OpenVDB is a sparse volumetric data structure and toolkit for efficiently storing and manipulating volumetric data. It provides a compact representation of sparse data, making it ideal for large-scale simulations and visual effects. The library is widely used in the film industry for handling complex volumetric effects like smoke, fire, and clouds.
Key Features:
  • Sparse grid data structure for memory efficiency
  • Hierarchical tree structure for fast access and modification
  • Comprehensive set of tools for volume manipulation and rendering
  • C++ library with Python bindings
Use Cases:
  • Visual effects for smoke, fire, and cloud simulation
  • Scientific visualization of volumetric datasets
  • 3D modeling and rendering applications
Alternatives:
  • NanoVDB – Lightweight version of OpenVDB focused on GPU performance and smaller binary size
  • VTK – General-purpose visualization toolkit with broader scope but less specialized for sparse volumes
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Dec 16, 2024 6:40am 1 VERSION_BUMP fc712bf9