Good geometry library in python?

views:

2267

answers:

+10 Q:

Good geometry library in python?

I am looking for a good and well developed library for geometrical manipulations and evaluations in python, like:

evaluate the intersection between two lines in 2D and 3D (if present)
evaluate the point of intersection between a plane and a line, or the line of intersection between two planes
evaluate the minimum distance between a line and a point
find the orthonormal to a plane passing through a point
rotate, translate, mirror a set of points
find the dihedral angle defined by four points

I have a compendium book for all these operations, and I could implement it but unfortunately I have no time, so I would enjoy a library that does it. Most operations are useful for gaming purposes, so I am sure that some of these functionalities can be found in gaming libraries, but I would prefer not to include functionalities (such as graphics) I don't need.

Any suggestions ? Thanks

+6 A:

Shapely is a nice python wrapper around the popular GEOS library.

Coady 2009-07-03 00:01:31

Seems to be very focused on GIS data handling, rather than pure "mathematical geometry" (so to speak)

Stefano Borini 2009-07-03 00:16:55

It certainly has been created for use by the GIS community, however it is deliberately ignorant of geographic projections, which makes it fine for use as a general-purpose euclidean geometry library. I use it heavily as such in a nascent computer game project, and it works fine.

Tartley 2009-09-14 20:47:06

Ah, caveat: I'm using Shapely in 2D, I cannot vouch for its abilities in 3D.

Tartley 2009-09-14 20:49:21

+8 A:

Perhaps take a look at SymPy.

John Y 2009-07-03 01:31:16

It does not really satisfy my requirements, but it's indeed a cool project, so I accept your answer as an interesting suggestion also for the future (as SymPy has a geometry module, and a huge amount of developers)

Stefano Borini 2009-07-14 22:02:56

+3 A:

Take a look at NumPy to see if has what you need.

ecounysis 2009-07-03 05:16:15

Could some of the people upvoting this perhaps elucidate on whether or not numpy does contain anything useful, and if so, then what?

Tartley 2009-09-14 20:48:17

+5 A:

CGAL has Python bindings too.

Vulcan Eager 2009-07-03 05:50:56

+1 A:

geometry-simple has classes Point Line Plane Movement in ~ 300 lines, using only numpy; take a look.

Denis 2009-07-04 16:16:41

ansaurus

tags:

views:

answers:

Good geometry library in python?

related questions