Zero

A graphics pipeline implemented in JavaScript and rendered to the terminal. No GPU required.

# start the demo in ascii mode (default)
$ npx zero-demo@latest

# start the demo in 24-bit true color mode (experimental)
$ npx zero-demo@latest --color

Overview

Zero is a small graphics demo that uses JavaScript to replicate the functionality of a GPU and uses the terminal to display its rendered output via nodejs' stdout. Zero was written for fun and to see how far JavaScript performance could reasonably be pushed. ASCII rendering has been tested on Windows, OSX and Linux terminals. ANSI 24-bit true color rendering has been tested on the default Linux Mint 19.2 terminal, but should work on most terminals that support this feature.

This project and associative materials are offered as is to anyone who may find them of use.

Zero implements:

• Programmable Vertex and Fragment shaders (in JavaScript)
• Perspective Z-Correct Texture Mapping
• Per Pixel Depth Buffering
• Adaptive Resolution on Terminal resize (TTY only)
• Support for 24bit true color (terminal must support 24-bit color)
• Matrix and Vector math libraries.
• A Scene Graph
• Support for Windows Command Prompt, Powershell and Linux Terminals

Licence MIT

Building Locally

Clone this project and run the following from the terminal.

$ npm install
$ npm run build
# run it
$ node index