The Helios simulation system is a versatile modeling framework that handles tasks such as managing geometry and associated data structures through a C++ API. Plug-ins build on the Helios core engine, and access the geometry and data via the Helios context. The system comes with a visualization plug-in that can produce stunning renderings of model geometry and data with relatively little effort.

System Requirements

Helios is compatible with Mac, Linux, and PC platforms. Some plug-ins benefit from or require an NVIDIA GPU. The radiation model uses GPU-accelerated ray tracing, which is supported on all platforms via the Vulkan backend (requires Vulkan SDK). On systems with NVIDIA GPUs, the radiation model can alternatively use the OptiX backend (requires NVIDIA CUDA). The Aerial LiDAR plug-in requires NVIDIA CUDA.

Downloading the Code

The code repository is located at https://www.github.com/PlantSimulationLab/Helios. The best way to download it is using "git", which allows you to easily update your code when new updates are available.

To do so, first install git, then using your command-line interface (e.g. terminal) change into the directory where you want to download the code, then type:

git clone https://www.github.com/PlantSimulationLab/Helios

Using Helios with an IDE

We recommend using Helios with an IDE such as CLion or Visual Studio Code. Helios can be downloaded and kept up to date directly within the IDE. The YouTube videos below are available below for setting up Helios within an IDE (and via command line).

NEW: Helios now has a Python API! Please see the PyHelios API documentation for more information.

Acknowledgement of third-party software:

The Helios core engine uses all or parts of the following third-party open-sourced software libraries:

libpng: Copyright (c) 1995-2019 The PNG Reference Library Authors. Copyright (c) 2018-2019 Cosmin Truta. Copyright (c) 2000-2002, 2004, 2006-2018 Glenn Randers-Pehrson. Copyright (c) 1996-1997 Andreas Dilger. Copyright (c) 1995-1996 Guy Eric Schalnat, Group 42, Inc.

Plug-ins may use other third-party software, which is acknowledged in their documentation pages.

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