Welcome to SkySplat: Bringing 3D Gaussian Splatting to Blender

by kyjohnso

We’re excited to announce the launch of SkySplat, an open-source initiative dedicated to making 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) technology accessible to artists, researchers, and developers worldwide.

What is SkySplat?

SkySplat is more than just a tool - it’s a comprehensive ecosystem for working with 3D Gaussian Splatting data. Our mission is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge 3DGS research and practical creative applications.

Our Flagship Project: SkySplat Blender

Our main focus is the SkySplat Blender addon, which brings native 3DGS support directly into Blender. This means you can:

  • Import and visualize .ply and other 3DGS formats
  • Edit and manipulate Gaussian splat data in real-time
  • Integrate seamlessly with your existing Blender workflows
  • Export optimized 3DGS data for web and real-time applications

Why 3D Gaussian Splatting?

If you haven’t heard of 3D Gaussian Splatting yet, you’re in for a treat! This revolutionary rendering technique offers:

  • Photorealistic quality with real-time performance
  • Novel view synthesis from sparse camera inputs
  • Efficient storage and streaming capabilities
  • Natural handling of complex lighting and materials

Unlike traditional polygon-based rendering, 3DGS represents scenes as collections of 3D Gaussian functions, enabling unprecedented quality and performance for certain types of content.

What You’ll Find Here

This website serves as the central hub for all things SkySplat:

📝 Blog Posts

Regular updates about:

  • New feature announcements
  • Tutorial series and workflows
  • Community spotlights
  • Industry news and research updates

📚 Documentation

Comprehensive guides covering:

  • Installation and setup instructions
  • API references and technical specifications
  • Best practices and optimization tips
  • Troubleshooting and FAQ

📄 Technical Articles

In-depth content including:

  • Mathematical foundations of 3DGS
  • Implementation details and algorithms
  • Performance optimization techniques
  • Research paper summaries and analysis

Getting Started

Ready to dive in? Here’s how to get started:

  1. Install the Blender Addon

  2. Try the Examples

    • Download sample 3DGS datasets
    • Follow our quick start tutorial

  3. Join the Community

    • Star us on GitHub
    • Join discussions and ask questions
    • Share your creations and workflows

Open Source Philosophy

SkySplat is built on the principles of open source collaboration:

  • Free and Open: All our tools are available under permissive licenses
  • Community-Driven: We welcome contributions from everyone
  • Transparent Development: All development happens in the open
  • Educational Focus: We prioritize learning and knowledge sharing

Community and Contributions

SkySplat thrives on community involvement. Whether you’re:

  • An artist looking to create stunning visuals
  • A developer interested in 3DGS technology
  • A researcher working on novel applications
  • An educator teaching 3D graphics concepts

There’s a place for you in our community!

Ways to Contribute

  • Code: Help develop new features and fix bugs
  • Documentation: Write guides, tutorials, and examples
  • Testing: Report issues and test new releases
  • Community: Help other users and share knowledge
  • Content: Create tutorials, examples, and showcases

Thank You

We want to thank the incredible research community that made 3D Gaussian Splatting possible, particularly the original authors and the broader computer graphics research community. We also thank the Blender Foundation for creating such an amazing open-source platform.

Most importantly, thank you to our early adopters and contributors who are helping shape the future of SkySplat!

Stay Connected

Welcome to the future of 3D content creation with SkySplat! 🚀

Ready to get started? Check out our installation guide or dive into the fundamentals of 3DGS.