SDK Source code?

[utkualtinkaya]

FBX SDK distribution is limited to binary libraries but for example i am using Clang on Windows and there is no way I can link to it. I understand this is not practical to provide binaries for all OS - compiler combinations, but why isn''t the SDK source code available? There is nothing worth hiding inside it, and if there is it is patented. Just place your license, upload it to github, so we can just add as a submodule.

ps: It would be also great if compiled binaries for the SDK can be distributed. So open source projects/engines can use this SDK as well.

[kevinvandecar]

Hello,

Unfortunately at this time there are no plans to open source the FBX SDK. After talking to product manager, there are some IP elements that would make it difficult for Autodesk to open source it. 

I can agree from a technical perspective it would be a great solution for the multi-platforms out there these days.

Sorry for the news.

Thanks,
kevin

[utkualtinkaya]

OK, you have Clang for mac os, and linux, would you consider adding Clang for Windows binaries ?

[kevinvandecar]

So... To guarantee binary compatibility, we suggest using the same compiler that we use to build our tools. FBX SDK on Windows is using the Visual Studio compiler, and that's why we list it in requirements down to a specific version. Again to make sure there is 100% binary compatibility. Note that even for the same SDK version, we typically support three Microsoft Compiler versions with their own SDK downloads.
System Requirements: https://help.autodesk.com/view/FBX/2020/ENU/?guid=FBX_Developer_Help_getting_started_installing_and_...

This is all so we can guarantee the binary support properly. We've had developers use different versions of MS and it "works" due to their more recent compatibility efforts, but even there if something came up in that scenario, we would not be able to support it easily. 

On Windows, the Microsoft compilers are the generally accepted solutions, and is what we use internally for many of our Windows products. For Mac OS and Linux, clang makes more sense and is industry accepted tool, but the likelihood of us providing clang for Windows is not on the radar.

Hope that helps...