Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenFrameworks VS HeavyM

Compare OpenFrameworks VS HeavyM and see what are their differences

OpenFrameworks logo OpenFrameworks

openFrameworks

HeavyM logo HeavyM

Simple video mapping software with a huge library of effects.
  • OpenFrameworks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-30
  • HeavyM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23

OpenFrameworks features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenFrameworks is open-source, allowing developers to access, modify, and contribute to its codebase. This fosters a community-driven development environment and encourages collaboration.
  • Cross-Platform
    It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, making it versatile for developing applications across various operating systems.
  • Rich Collection of Add-ons
    OpenFrameworks offers a wide range of add-ons and libraries contributed by the community, which extend the framework's capabilities and provide tools for graphics, sound, video, computer vision, and more.
  • Community Support
    The framework has a robust community that provides support via forums, tutorials, and a wealth of shared projects and code snippets, making it easier to learn and troubleshoot.
  • Artistic and Creative Focus
    OpenFrameworks is particularly well-suited for projects that emphasize creativity and artistic output, making it popular among artists and designers working on interactive installations and media art.

Possible disadvantages of OpenFrameworks

  • Steep Learning Curve
    While OpenFrameworks is powerful, its complexity can be daunting for beginners, especially those without experience in C++ programming.
  • Limited Documentation
    Although there is community support, the official documentation can sometimes be sparse or outdated, which can pose challenges for developers seeking detailed explanations or examples.
  • Performance Overhead
    As an abstraction layer over native OpenGL, OpenFrameworks might introduce performance overhead compared to writing raw OpenGL code, which can be a concern for high-performance applications.
  • Dependency Management
    Managing dependencies and ensuring compatibility across different platforms can be complex, especially when dealing with various libraries and add-ons.
  • Not Ideal for All Types of Applications
    OpenFrameworks is tailored towards creative coding and may not be the best choice for applications that require extensive GUI features or are more business-logic-oriented.

HeavyM features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    HeavyM offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, allowing users of all skill levels to create impressive visual projections without a steep learning curve.
  • Real-Time Projection Mapping
    The software provides real-time projection mapping capabilities, enabling users to see instant results and make adjustments on the fly for live events and performances.
  • Wide Range of Effects
    HeavyM includes a diverse collection of built-in effects and animations, allowing users to enhance their projections with creative visuals easily.
  • Compatibility with Multiple Projectors
    The software supports multiple projectors, making it suitable for complex setups requiring seamless integration and coordination between different projection sources.
  • Regular Updates and Support
    HeavyM is frequently updated with new features and improvements, and the development team provides reliable customer support for troubleshooting and guidance.

Possible disadvantages of HeavyM

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While suitable for basic and intermediate projection mapping, HeavyM may lack some advanced features available in more professional software, which could be a limitation for experienced users seeking complex functionalities.
  • Performance on Older Hardware
    The software may experience performance issues on older or less powerful hardware, potentially limiting its usability for users without up-to-date computer systems.
  • Cost Considerations
    For individual artists or smaller organizations, the cost of HeavyM may be a concern, particularly if they require additional licenses or features available only in higher-tier packages.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Use
    Despite its user-friendly design, mastering more advanced projection mapping techniques using HeavyM might still require a learning curve, which could be a barrier for some users.
  • Limited Export Options
    Export options in HeavyM might be limited compared to other software, which could be a drawback for users needing specific formats or integrations with other tools and workflows.

Analysis of OpenFrameworks

Overall verdict

  • OpenFrameworks is considered a good choice for those looking to explore creative coding due to its combination of versatility, performance, and community support. Its open-source nature and cross-platform capabilities make it an attractive option for both beginners and experienced developers in the field.

Why this product is good

  • OpenFrameworks is widely regarded as a solid toolkit for creative coding. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and functionalities aimed at artists, designers, and developers who seek to create interactive applications, visuals, and installations. The framework is built on top of C++ and offers extensive support for multimedia operations, making it suitable for graphics rendering, audio processing, and computer vision tasks. Additionally, OpenFrameworks benefits from an active community that contributes to a rich ecosystem of addons and shared projects, providing a collaborative environment for learning and experimentation.

Recommended for

  • Artists and designers looking to create interactive installations.
  • Developers interested in multimedia applications and simulations.
  • Educators teaching creative coding or multimedia art courses.
  • Hobbyists wanting to experiment with graphics and audio processing.

Analysis of HeavyM

Overall verdict

  • Overall, HeavyM is a strong option for anyone interested in projection mapping. Its ease of use and versatile features make it a reliable tool for both beginners and experienced users.

Why this product is good

  • HeavyM is widely regarded as a good software for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features for projection mapping, and real-time video effects. It allows users to easily create stunning visual displays, making it a popular choice among artists and designers. The software supports a variety of media formats and offers a vibrant community with tutorials and customer support.

Recommended for

  • Artists
  • Designers
  • Event producers
  • Musicians
  • Projections enthusiasts
  • Creative professionals looking to enhance their visual displays

OpenFrameworks videos

Part 2 of GAFFTA OpenFrameworks for Processing Coders

More videos:

  • Tutorial - openFrameworks tutorial - 000 intro to openFrameworks
  • Review - [openframeworks] Box2d study - Burst -

HeavyM videos

HeavyM Review

More videos:

  • Review - COMPLETE REVIEW HeavyM 1.7 - new features and tips!
  • Review - HeavyM Review.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenFrameworks and HeavyM)
3D
59 59%
41% 41
VJ
100 100%
0% 0
Audio & Music
0 0%
100% 100
Interactive Exhibits
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenFrameworks and HeavyM. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenFrameworks and HeavyM

OpenFrameworks Reviews

We have no reviews of OpenFrameworks yet.
Be the first one to post

HeavyM Reviews

7 Best Projection Mapping Software 2024 (#1 Video Mapper)
Other options include Resolume Arena, which excels in live performances and offers an ultra-fast video player for real-time video mixing. Resolume Avenue, a sister program to Arena, also provides a reliable visual programming environment with an audio processing engine. HeavyM, on the other hand, is suitable for beginners and small-scale events, offering an online library of...
Exploring the top 10 World of LCD Projector Mapping Softwares
HeavyM is another popular choice for professional projection mapping. With a range of customizable effects, this software allows users to dynamically transform static objects into dynamic canvases. Its user-friendly interface and pre-loaded content library make it an ideal choice for beginners and experts alike.
Top 7 Alternatives to MadMapper – Amplify Your Projection Mapping Projects!
HeavyM is a projection mapping software specifically designed for creating captivating visuals and light shows. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of effects and filters to enhance your projection mapping projects. With its real-time editing capabilities, HeavyM allows for quick adjustments and iterations.
Source: www.uubyte.com
5+ best video mapping software for PC
HeavyM has a large library of visual effects that allow you to apply pretty much any type of idea to your projection mapping project.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenFrameworks seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 32 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenFrameworks mentions (32)

  • Ask HN: Who Are Your Favorite Photography and Generative Coding Artists?
    Zach Lieberman https://x.com/zachlieberman does his work in C++ with https://openframeworks.cc/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Resolume
    Not exactly VJ, but could be used for it. https://openframeworks.cc. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • VVVV – A Hybrid Visual/Textual Development Environment
    - openFrameworks https://openframeworks.cc/ C++. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Valve Says Counter-Strike 2 for macOS Not Happening, There Aren't Enough Players
    Vulkan is sort of a post-API API. It seems to be designed specifically with high performance render pipelines in mind, and "end users" should interface with it through an intermediary layer. Ie, you might prefer bgfx[0], cinder[1] or openframeworks[2]. 0: https://github.com/bkaradzic/bgfx 2: https://openframeworks.cc/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • I'm starting to get tired
    Since you have C# experience, take this time to learn more about C++ while you continue to look. While yes, it is very easy to write bad code, it's not a huge deal since you just graduated and are just hacking around. Plus there are a lot of helpers these days to make writing bad code a little less likely.A former mentor of mine gifted me "C++ Without Fear" by Brian Overland which I can recommend. It's not too... Source: about 2 years ago
View more

HeavyM mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of HeavyM yet. Tracking of HeavyM recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenFrameworks and HeavyM, you can also consider the following products

Processing - C++ and Java programming at the speed of thought.

MadMapper - The Mapping Software

TouchDesigner - TouchDesigner is a visual development platform that equips you with the tools you need to create stunning realtime projects and rich user experiences.

Resolume - Resolume is an application for live video performances.

Vvvv - vvvv is a graphical programming environment for easy prototyping and development.

QLab - QLab, Live show control for Mac OS X.