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EnglishWhy Is Wings 3D Called Wings 3D and What Is It Written In?
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Wings 3D takes its name from the Winged Edge Data Structure (WEDS), the internal data structure it uses to store the adjacency relationships between edges, faces, and vertices in a model. The program itself is written in Erlang, an open source, functional programming language distributed by Ericsson.
Where the "Wings" in the name comes from
According to the project's own description, the name is not a reference to the shape of the models you build or to any bird-like theme. It comes directly from the data structure at the core of the application.
What the Winged Edge Data Structure does
WEDS is the structure Wings 3D uses to keep track of how the parts of a mesh connect to each other. Specifically, it stores the adjacency relationships between edges, faces, and vertices.
That matters because a polygon modeler constantly needs to answer questions like:
- Which faces share this edge?
- Which vertices bound this face?
- If I move or subdivide this edge, what else is affected?
A data structure built around edges and their neighbors makes those queries efficient, which is why the winged-edge concept is a natural fit for a subdivision modeler. The name "Wings 3D" is essentially a nod to that foundation.
What language Wings 3D is written in
Wings 3D is written in Erlang.
About Erlang
Erlang is described on the site as an open source, functional programming language distributed by Ericsson. It is perhaps best known for its use in systems that need high concurrency and fault tolerance, which makes it an unusual but deliberate choice for a desktop 3D modeling tool.
For users, the practical takeaway is that Wings 3D's behavior and its plugin/extensibility story are tied to the Erlang ecosystem rather than the C++ stack that most 3D applications use.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why "Wings"? | From the Winged Edge Data Structure (WEDS) |
| What does WEDS store? | Adjacency relationships between edges, faces, and vertices |
| What language is it written in? | Erlang |
| Who distributes Erlang? | Ericsson (open source, functional language) |
A note on scope
The same project description states that Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler with a wide range of modeling tools, a customizable interface, support for lights and materials, and a built-in AutoUV mapping facility. It also states plainly that there is no support in Wings for animation — so if animation is part of your workflow, this tool is aimed at the modeling stage only.