====== Overview ======

Core is the lowest level library, providing the most basic functionality.  Core is written in C++ and is a portable library that is graphics-API independent.  It offers the following functionality:

  * Reads SRT (**S**peedTree **R**un-**T**ime) files, generated by the [[overview_compiler_application|SpeedTree Compiler]] that stores the complete definition of a SpeedTree model, including geometry, [[overview_level-ofdetail|LOD]], materials & texture references (actual texture contents are not embedded in the file), wind data, and [[collision_objects|collision objects]].

  * Provides an interface for retrieving the tree file data, including complete vertex declarations and per-vertex values.

  * Computes [[overview_level-ofdetail|LOD]] values needed to render LOD states (and constants that are uploaded to the wind shaders) that match those set by the artist in the Modeler.

  * Provides access to a [[cwind_in_core|CWind]] object that controls the wind animation parameters uploaded to the wind shaders.

  * Alternate [[coordinate_systems|coordinate systems]] can be set using the CCoordSys class defined in the Core library.

  * Defines a number of basic mathematical and utility classes that are used throughout the SDK.

The [[overview_forest_library|Forest Library]] is the next highest level library.  It depends directly on Core and deals will collections of Core objects in order to build and manage an entire dynamic forest.