Introduction to jMonkeyEngine 3.0
You are a Java developer who wants to write 3D games that run on Windows, Mac, Linux, the web, and Android platform? Then you have come to the right place. The jMonkeyEngine framework (jME) is a high-performance, 3D scenegraph-based graphics API with state-of-the-art features.
The software kit is written in Java and uses LWJGL for OpenGL access. jMonkeyEngine 3 is completely open-source under the BSD license, which makes it free to use in any way you see fit, be it hobby, educational, or commercial.
The third release of jMonkeyEngine is now in Beta. Still tied up with jME2? Please read our jME2 or jME3 choice rationale and jME2 vs jME3 feature comparison and consider porting to jME3!
Install
We recommend you download the fully preconfigured jMonkeyEngine3 SDK, our Software Development Kit, which includes all jME3 libraries plus the SDK. jMonkeyEngine SDK provides convenient game development tools (Editor, Asset Packs, Converters, Scene Composer, Terrain Editor, etc) that other IDEs do not offer. Also, any java IDE can open the created ant-based projects so you can also use other IDE's for coding while relying on the community-supported jME3 project structure including all its deployment options.
Before installing, check the license, features, and requirements. Then choose one these options:
| Recommended | Optional | Optional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| You want to… | Get started with jMonkeyEngine | Use jMonkeyEngine in another IDE | Build custom engine from sources |
| Then download… | jMonkeyEngine SDK | Binaries | Sources (Subversion) |
| You receive… | Sources, binaries, javadoc, SDK | Latest nightly binary build, sources, javadoc. | Sources |
| Learn more here… | Using the SDK Project Creation  | Setting up JME3 in the NetBeans IDE * Setting up JME3 in the Eclipse IDE * | Building JME3 from the Sources Building JME3 from the sources with NetBeans Setting up JME3 on the commandline |
(*) We recommend users of other IDEs to use the jMonkeyEngine SDK to manage and edit your projects assets: Use "File→Import Project→External Project Assets" in the SDK to create a handy codeless project for managing and editing assets only.
Create 3D Games
The jMonkeyEngine (jME3) is our Java 3D Game framework, simply JAR libraries that you place on the classpath. The jMonkeyEngine SDK is our tailor-made game development environment: The SDK combines the libraries with unique visual development tools and editors that make your life easier when writing Java code and structuring game projects. After downloading and installing, bookmark the jME Documentation page and get started with your first game!
Contribute
Are you a Java developer who wants to add new features and contribute patches to the jME3 project?
- Have a look at the Contributors Forum thread
- Learn more about the Source Structure here.
- Write jMonkeyEngine SDK plugins and visual editors.
- Report bugs and submit patches.
Contact
You are welcome to contribute and inquire about the project: Please contact the developers or ask on the forums.
