gwaldron/osgearth
Free3D Maps & Terrain SDK / C++17
FreeFree tier
About gwaldron/osgearth
osgEarth is an open-source C++ SDK for rendering geospatially accurate 3D terrain and maps. It builds on OpenSceneGraph and GDAL to load and visualize a wide range of geospatial data formats (imagery, elevation, vector) and map projections. osgEarth uses XML-based 'earth files' to define map layers and supports online tilesets, local GeoTIFFs, and OpenStreetMap data. The SDK includes viewer applications (osgearth_imgui, osgearth_viewer) and integrates easily into CMake projects. It is maintained by Pelican Mapping and released under the MIT license.
Key Features
Geospatially accurate 3D map rendering in C++
Built on OpenSceneGraph and GDAL for high-performance terrain visualization
Supports multiple geospatial data formats (imagery, elevation, vector) and map projections
Uses XML-based 'earth files' to define map layers and data sources
Includes command-line viewers (osgearth_imgui, osgearth_viewer) for quick testing
Integration with CMake projects via find_package and target link libraries
Available on vcpkg for easy installation (vcpkg install osgearth)
Free and open source under the MIT license
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open-source under MIT license
- Leverages trusted open-source libraries (OpenSceneGraph, GDAL)
- Cross-platform via CMake and C++17
- Supports a wide range of geospatial file formats and online tile services
Cons
- Requires knowledge of C++ and CMake for integration
- Depends on OpenSceneGraph, which may have a learning curve
- Limited to C++ ecosystems; no official bindings for other languages
Best For
Building desktop 3D map viewers with real-time terrain renderingVisualizing geospatial data (imagery, elevation, point clouds) in C++ applicationsSimulation and training environments requiring accurate 3D globe or terrainGIS analysis and map projection conversion in a 3D contextRendering OpenStreetMap data in a 3D viewer
FAQ
What is osgEarth?
osgEarth is an open-source C++ SDK that adds geospatially accurate 3D maps to your application, built on OpenSceneGraph and GDAL.
How do I install osgEarth?
The recommended way is via vcpkg: vcpkg install osgearth:x64-windows (or with tools: vcpkg install osgearth[tools]:x64-windows). Alternatively, you can build from source following the instructions on the GitHub repository.
What are 'earth files'?
Earth files are XML configuration files that describe the layers and sources of a map. They can include imagery, elevation, and vector data from various sources like local GeoTIFFs or online tile services (e.g., Readymap, OpenStreetMap).
Can I use osgEarth with online map tiles?
Yes, osgEarth supports online tile layers such as TMS imagery and elevation. For example, you can load tiles from Readymap.org or other standard tile servers.