ANGLE (software)

ANGLE ("Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine") is an open source, BSD-licensed graphics engine abstraction layer developed by Google. The API is mainly designed to bring high-performance OpenGL compatibility to Windows computers and to web browsers such as Chromium by translating OpenGL calls to Direct3D, which has much better driver support. There are two backend renderers for ANGLE: the oldest one uses Direct3D 9.0c, while the newer one uses Direct3D 11.
ANGLE is currently used by Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, WebKit, and the Qt Framework. The engine is also used by Windows 10 for compatibility with apps ported from Android.
History.
The project started as a way for Google to bring full hardware acceleration for WebGL to Windows without relying on OpenGL graphics drivers. Google initially released the program under the BSD license.
The current production version (2.1.x) implements OpenGL ES 2.0, 3.0 and (for some platforms) 3.1 and EGL 1.4, claiming to pass the conformance tests for both. Work was started on then future OpenGL ES 3.0 version, for the newer Direct3D 11 backend.
The capability to use ANGLE in a Windows Store app was added in 2014. Microsoft contributed support for lower feature levels to the project. Supporting CoreWindow and SwapChainPanel in ANGLE's EGL allows applications to run on Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, and later.
Software utilizing ANGLE.
ANGLE is currently used in a number of programs and software.