Xplo was built with several foundation packages.

Its main features are to handle MTG files (Multi-scale Tree Graph), see the plant architecture background section.

The projects management is based on the kernel of the Capsis platform, a modelling platform for forest growth/dynamics modelling developed in AMAP since 1999.

The 3D part is based on the Sketch library, itself relying on the JOGL (Java Open GL) technology, also developed in AMAP since 2006 and also widely used in Capsis.

The framework for windows layout management is based on Docking Frames.