Parasol is a FOSS vector graphics engine and application sandbox for Windows and Linux.
Written in C++, it includes an integrated scripting language based on Lua to simplify application development without compromising on speed or modern features. Alternatively you can integrate Parasol with your preferred environment if it supports linking with standard system libraries.
Parasol's ongoing development is focused on enhancing vector graphics programming on the desktop. We believe that this a research area that has been under-valued, and needs to change with more displays achieving resolutions at 4K and improved DPI values. Apart from supporting scalable interfaces, we also invent new and unique rendering features, and develop RIPL, an HTML-like language crossed with SVG.
Features
- Versatility: Integrate your C++ code with our API, or write programs in Fluid, our integrated Lua-based scripting language. Custom C++ builds are supported if you only need a particular feature such as the vector graphics engine for your project.
- Scalable User Interfaces: Create fully scalable UI's using our vector-based widgets, including windows, checkboxes, buttons, dialogs and text. The script-driven architecture makes customization simple and flexible.
- Live Vector Management: Load SVG files into vector scene graphs and interact with the graph's properties in real-time via our API.
- Animation: Support for SVG animation (SMIL) is included, as well as off-the-shelf visual FX in our VFX API.
- W3C-Validated SVG Compliance: We test against the W3C SVG test suite to maximise compatibility with the SVG standard.
- Advanced Text Layout Engine: Try RIPL, our powerful text layout engine inspired by HTML, SVG, and word-processing tools. RIPL is extremely lightweight, offers flexible document rendering and full SVG integration, all without the excess of an HTML engine.
- Comprehensive Networking API: Multi-platform networking support for TCP/IP sockets, HTTP, and SSL ensures secure and seamless connectivity.
- Integrated Data Handling: Built-in APIs for efficient handling of XML, JSON, ZIP, PNG, JPEG, and SVG file formats.
- Cross-Platform System Abstraction: Full system abstraction for platform-agnostic development, including file I/O, clipboard management, threading, and object management.
- Multi-Channel Audio Playback: Supports high-quality audio playback for WAV and MP3 files, enabling rich multimedia experiences.
- Enhanced Lua Framework: Ideal for Lua developers seeking robust UI features and comprehensive system integration. Parasol serves as an enhanced Lua framework for modern application development.