Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Paper.js VS Cocos2d-x

Compare Paper.js VS Cocos2d-x and see what are their differences

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Paper.js logo Paper.js

Open source vector graphics scripting framework that runs on top of the HTML5 Canvas.

Cocos2d-x logo Cocos2d-x

Cocos2d-x is an open-source and cross platform open source free 2D game engine for mobile game development known for its speed, stability, and easy of use
Not present
  • Cocos2d-x Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-17

Paper.js features and specs

  • Vector Graphics Support
    Paper.js excels in handling vector graphics, making it an excellent choice for creating and manipulating graphics with precision.
  • Scene Graph
    The library uses a scene graph, which facilitates hierarchical organization and management of graphical objects.
  • Rich API
    Paper.js offers a highly intuitive and rich API that simplifies tasks like working with paths, segments, and more.
  • Ease of Use
    With its clear documentation and straightforward syntax, Paper.js is beginner-friendly while remaining powerful for advanced users.
  • Cross-Platform
    Being JavaScript-based, Paper.js works across different platforms and browsers without requiring any additional plugins.
  • Interactive Graphics
    It allows for easy creation of interactive graphics, making it ideal for use in web applications needing dynamic graphic manipulation.
  • Built-In Animation Support
    Paper.js includes built-in support for animations, enabling smooth and complex animations with minimal effort.

Possible disadvantages of Paper.js

  • Performance
    Due to its high-level abstraction and ease of use, Paper.js may not perform as well as lower-level graphics libraries in performance-critical applications.
  • File Size
    Paper.js can be relatively large in terms of file size compared to some lightweight alternatives, which might affect load times.
  • Limited to Canvas
    Paper.js is limited to the HTML5 Canvas element, so it doesn't natively support other rendering contexts like SVG.
  • Animation Flexibility
    While it offers built-in animation support, the flexibility and feature set might not be as extensive as dedicated animation libraries.
  • Learning Curve for Complex Features
    Although it's beginner-friendly for simple tasks, mastering more complex aspects of Paper.js can have a steeper learning curve.
  • Community and Support
    Paper.js might not have as large a community or as extensive support as some other more widely-used JavaScript libraries such as D3.js or Three.js.

Cocos2d-x features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Support
    Cocos2d-x allows developers to build games that run seamlessly on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it highly versatile and enhancing its reach.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source framework, Cocos2d-x provides full access to its source code, which can be modified to suit specific project requirements. This fosters a collaborative community and encourages continuous improvement of the framework.
  • Performance
    Cocos2d-x is written in C++, which generally offers better performance compared to other languages commonly used for game development, such as JavaScript or C#. This can lead to smoother and more responsive gameplay.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Cocos2d-x comes with a robust set of features including physics engines, particle systems, skeletal animation, and more. These features make it easier for developers to create complex and visually appealing games.
  • Community and Documentation
    The framework boasts a large and active community, which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and getting help. Additionally, it has extensive documentation and tutorials which make it accessible to both beginners and advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of Cocos2d-x

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Given its extensive feature set and use of C++, Cocos2d-x can be intimidating for beginners. The complexity of its systems often requires a more in-depth understanding of programming concepts.
  • Limited Built-in Tools
    While Cocos2d-x is powerful, it lacks some of the built-in tools and editors provided by other game development frameworks like Unity or Unreal Engine. This often requires developers to rely on external tools for tasks such as level design and asset management.
  • Manual Memory Management
    Unlike some of the higher-level languages and frameworks that handle memory management automatically, Cocos2d-x requires developers to manually manage memory. This increases the risk of memory leaks and other related bugs.
  • Smaller Asset Store
    Compared to giants like Unity, Cocos2d-x has a relatively smaller asset store, which means fewer pre-made assets and plugins are available. This might lead to longer development times as assets often need to be created from scratch.
  • Lack of High-Level Scripting Support
    While Cocos2d-x does support Lua and JavaScript bindings, it is primarily a C++ framework. This can be a drawback for developers who prefer or are more efficient using higher-level scripting languages.

Analysis of Paper.js

Overall verdict

  • Paper.js is a great choice for those looking to create vector graphics and animations on the web. Its ease of use, powerful features, and active community support make it a strong contender in the realm of graphics frameworks.

Why this product is good

  • Paper.js is a powerful open-source vector graphics scripting framework that runs on top of the HTML5 Canvas. It's widely appreciated for its simplicity and flexibility, making it easier for developers to create complex graphics and animations with its concise syntax and intelligent object model. Its extensive and well-documented API, along with a thriving community, also contributes to its appeal.

Recommended for

  • Developers who need to create intricate vector graphics and animations.
  • Artists and designers looking for a tool to bring their designs to the web.
  • Educators and students interested in learning about graphics programming.
  • Projects that require dynamic and interactive graphics.

Analysis of Cocos2d-x

Overall verdict

  • Cocos2d-x is a good option for developers looking to create high-performance 2D games, especially those who prefer or are comfortable with C++. Its cross-platform capabilities and active community support further enhance its appeal.

Why this product is good

  • Cocos2d-x is a popular open-source game development engine renowned for its performance and versatility. It is particularly well-suited for creating 2D games, making it a favored choice among developers for mobile game development. Its C++ core grants it efficiency, and it allows deployment across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. The engine has a robust community and extensive documentation, which aids developers in learning and troubleshooting. The engine also supports scripting through Lua and JavaScript, catering to a variety of programming expertise levels.

Recommended for

    Cocos2d-x is recommended for small to medium-sized game development studios, indie developers, and students who are seeking a cost-effective and flexible solution for developing 2D games. It is also ideal for developers who wish to target multiple platforms without significantly altering their codebase.

Paper.js videos

Revision clouds in AutoCAD using Paper.js

Cocos2d-x videos

Cocos2D-x 4.0 Released

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Paper.js and Cocos2d-x)
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0
Game Development
0 0%
100% 100
Flowcharts
100 100%
0% 0
Game Engine
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Paper.js and Cocos2d-x

Paper.js Reviews

20+ JavaScript libraries to draw your own diagrams (2022 edition)
Paper.js is an open source vector graphics scripting framework that runs on top of the HTML5 Canvas. It offers a clean Scene Graph / Document Object Model and a lot of powerful functionality to create and work with vector graphics and bezier curves, all neatly wrapped up in a well designed, consistent and clean programming interface. It’s based on (and largely compatible)...
8 Best Free and Open-Source Drawing Libraries in JavaScript
The Paper.js library is another free and open-source solution for people who want to draw using JavaScript. The library uses canvas to handle its drawing animations. However, its primary focus is vector-based drawings instead of raster images.

Cocos2d-x Reviews

Best Game Engines for Linux in 2021
Cocos2d-x is an open-source game framework written in C++, with a thin platform dependent layer. It is widely used to build interactive apps and games for Android. There are also JavaScript and Lua bindings included.
Source: kerneltips.com
The Best 15 Mobile Game Engines / Development Platforms & Tools in 2020
Cocos2D-x is a package of 2D game development tools. released by Facebook. One of its best features is that Cocos 2D-x allows you to create very small size games: 1.5 MB. It comes with detailed documentation and it has a large support community. Read and learn how to use it.
Source: thetool.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Paper.js seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 11 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.

Paper.js mentions (11)

  • How Framer/Figma is built?
    I started with angular and paper.js: http://paperjs.org/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Polygon JS libraries
    In a thread in the Processing forum, Boolean operations in polygons , user ErraticGenerator suggests using g.js or Paper.js. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Looking for a javascript library with good wrapping support
    It is likely that paper.js provides the functionality needed. I will probably investigate it at some point since it appears to be the more popular library Compare paper.js & bezier.js. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Animating an svg
    Just remember you can do some SVG displacement with Paper.JS. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Diagnosing RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded in React KeyEscapeUtils
    Our webapp is written with React and Redux using the official react-redux bindings. Another primary library used in this web app is PaperJS. We recently transitioned this to being a Redux app, though it has used React for a while. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

Cocos2d-x mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Cocos2d-x yet. Tracking of Cocos2d-x recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Paper.js and Cocos2d-x, you can also consider the following products

p5.js - JS library for creating graphic and interactive experiences

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

Three.js - A JavaScript 3D library which makes WebGL simpler.

Unreal Engine - Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.

Konva - Konva is 2d Canvas JavaScript framework for drawings shapes, animations, node nesting, layering, filtering, event handling, drag and drop and much more.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.