20 replies to this topic

[Macoder]

Can anyone recommend a good graphics library that I can use in c++? I want one that is really easy to learn and is really simple. Pretty much I just want to make a graphics window, and then draw on it and manipulate images.

[TkTech]

SDL is just about one of the most basic, yet flexible libraries out there. Its also highly portable - you can use it just about anywhere.

[Benbo]

Except from SDL (Which you should use) there's OpenGL, which is very good for rendering, and for graphics at all, but probably a bit harder.
There's Allegro, that one I've heard a lot of good about.
And there's DirectX as well, check 'em out.

[Macoder]

ok, I installed SDL, but I don't even know were to begin using it. I did a few google searches, but all I could find was tutorials on how to install it. Does anyone know were I can find a good tutorial?

[Benbo]

Here ya' go:
Lazy Foo' Productions
Enjoy! :)

[Macoder]

This is perfect!! Thank you!

[Benbo]

You are very welcome. :)

[carly]

You don't need any libraries on Windows !
Everything is native (GDI, GDI+, DX, ...)
In particular SDL, which is not hardware accelerated, limited to 2D, obsolete, etc... (we are not anymore in 80's !)

[ZekeDragon]

SDL is perfectly modern, and does support hardware acceleration. What is this? GDI+ isn't platform independent, though I don't suppose it's a bad API. And you're bringing up being limited to 2D, isn't GDI+ just as much, and SDL support OpenGL as well, so it can very well do 3D graphics.

Very strange comment.

[Macoder]

carly said:

You don't need any libraries on Windows !
Everything is native (GDI, GDI+, DX, ...)
In particular SDL, which is not hardware accelerated, limited to 2D, obsolete, etc... (we are not anymore in 80's !)

My username is Macoder. I do not like windows at all.

Anyways, I'm already having trouble with it. I copied code off the site that was recommended here, but I got errors.



I think the second two will be resolved as soon as the first 2 are. It might be a simple mistake, but I don't know anything about the surface variable type. Can someone help me?

[TkTech]

#include <string>

[Macoder]

TkTech said:

#include <string>

Oh!! Thank you!! But I have one question. I included string.h. What's the difference when I take out the .h?