Best C++ Graphics Library where installation is concerned.

Ace Blackwell · 01-05-2023, 12:21 PM

All,

I'm looking at graduating on from my current graphics library Allegro 4.X. I've looked at Allegro 5 and SDL but the installation seems complicated by comparison. My system actually tells me I have SDL installed though I'm not 100% convinced. My questions is, is there a good graphics library that I don't need to be a computer engineer to install?

Thanks

EdGr · 01-05-2023, 12:28 PM

What are you using the library for?

SDL and Allegro target video games.

I use Cairo for 2D drawing in my GUI programs. https://www.cairographics.org

Cairo is the drawing component for GTK.
Ed

Ace Blackwell · 01-05-2023, 12:48 PM

Thanks EdGr. Speaking of being an engineer, interesting website.

In my case, I like to write simple games. To this point I've only written PC console type games. No mouse or windows, all keyboard. In the beginning I drew directly to the screen. Eventually I learn use buffers, bitmaps, and sound files.

I program top down, but was looking at learning event driven programming. I've have very little experience with that.

EdGr · 01-05-2023, 01:02 PM

Thanks! My website is eclectic.

Cairo is fast enough for simple animation, but generally favors quality over speed. You can easily port your bitmap code to a Cairo image surface. Getting it on the screen is done through GTK.
Ed

Ace Blackwell · 01-05-2023, 01:05 PM

Thanks, I'll check it out.