Elysian Shadows

I've been looking for a decent GUI library for use with OpenGL for some time now, but each time I try one out, it's either missing certain features that are important to me or it's very difficult to get working. GUIChan didn't have resizable text elements, CEGUI crashed every time I tried to get it to work (and yes, I had all of the dependencies), some other library that I forget the name of had about eight dependencies and had to be built in make (I don't know how to use make, though I can't imagine it'd be that hard). I'm more inclined to write my own GUI code at this point, though that'd be a pain in the ass given my requirements (I'm planning to write an in-game level editor).

So, if anybody could recommend a library for this sort of thing, it'd be very helpful. Also, is CEGUI worth the hassle? By all means tell me if you've had a good experience with it.

TheOtherGyro wrote:decent GUI library for use with OpenGL

Well, unless you mean a frame library, then OpenGL is the actual GUI library. If you want a frame library, try WxWidgets or Qt. If you just want an abstraction layer for OpenGL, I'd recommend either making one yourself or using SFML.

YOU WANT QT, GODDAMNIT! QT IS THE FUTURE OF C++ GUI DEVELOPMENT!

</endfanboyism>

GyroVorbis wrote:YOU WANT QT, GODDAMNIT! QT IS THE FUTURE OF C++ GUI DEVELOPMENT!

</endfanboyism>

I'm sick of these fuckin Qt fanboys!!!!!!

hurstshifter wrote:

GyroVorbis wrote:YOU WANT QT, GODDAMNIT! QT IS THE FUTURE OF C++ GUI DEVELOPMENT!

</endfanboyism>

I'm sick of these fuckin Qt fanboys!!!!!!

Qt is actually great, I'll be using it as well

hurstshifter wrote:

GyroVorbis wrote:YOU WANT QT, GODDAMNIT! QT IS THE FUTURE OF C++ GUI DEVELOPMENT!

</endfanboyism>

I'm sick of these fuckin Qt fanboys!!!!!!

I've been saved many-a-time after putting software engineering projects off until midnight the day it was due by QT. It's like a good friend that helps me out.

Also, Marcel's new editor/toolkit is being written with QT.

GyroVorbis wrote:Also, Marcel's new editor/toolkit is being written with QT.

Hey mine too!

I've been researching on QT since it was mentioned here. Since it is being used for GUI, and I need two gui elements that I really do not wish to code, I am wondering if you guys mean the thing from nokia... I can't really seem to find another "QT".

xiphirx wrote:I've been researching on QT since it was mentioned here. Since it is being used for GUI, and I need two gui elements that I really do not wish to code, I am wondering if you guys mean the thing from nokia... I can't really seem to find another "QT".

Yea, here's a pointer:
URL *QT = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(framework);
Lol.

So wait, QT can be used for things like, say, a HUD? In-game chat with copying to and pasting from the clipboard? It can be used within a fullscreen OpenGL application?

I think you guys misunderstand what I'm looking for. I need something that renders within OpenGL, not that OpenGL can render within. Something like CEGUI or GUIChan but more useful.


EDIT: Ah, I can see what happened here. You were taking the term "Graphical User Interface" literally. What I'm looking for is some sort of library that would make it easier to create things such as an in-game journal, a chat window with scrollable log, an inventory screen, that sort of thing. I'd write it myself but providing cross-platform support for certain things like the clipboard would be a huge pain in the ass, and this sort of thing could just save me work in general.

You know, it'd really be less ambiguous to just call it a HUD library.

I'm looking for a HUD library, anybody have any suggestions?

(In case you skipped most of this post and just jumped here, no, I don't need a library just for simple things like a health bar. Read the rest of the post.)

Writing your own HUD would probably be the best way to go despite it being a pain in the ass because you'd get exactly what you're looking for.

GyroVorbis wrote:YOU WANT QT, GODDAMNIT! QT IS THE FUTURE OF C++ GUI DEVELOPMENT!

</endfanboyism>

GOD YES, QT ROCKS MY WORLD!!!!!!

TheOtherGyro wrote:So wait, QT can be used for things like, say, a HUD? In-game chat with copying to and pasting from the clipboard? It can be used within a fullscreen OpenGL application?

I think you guys misunderstand what I'm looking for. I need something that renders within OpenGL, not that OpenGL can render within. Something like CEGUI or GUIChan but more useful.


EDIT: Ah, I can see what happened here. You were taking the term "Graphical User Interface" literally. What I'm looking for is some sort of library that would make it easier to create things such as an in-game journal, a chat window with scrollable log, an inventory screen, that sort of thing. I'd write it myself but providing cross-platform support for certain things like the clipboard would be a huge pain in the ass, and this sort of thing could just save me work in general.

You know, it'd really be less ambiguous to just call it a HUD library.

I'm looking for a HUD library, anybody have any suggestions?

(In case you skipped most of this post and just jumped here, no, I don't need a library just for simple things like a health bar. Read the rest of the post.)

Ah, gotcha.

But actually, QT can do that too. It has an OpenGL back-end, and can render to OpenGL canvases. I'm sure it's not what you're looking for, but it can totally do it.

The only one I know of is CEGUI. It can render to DX/OGL and others. Check out the features http://www.cegui.org.uk/wiki/index.php/Features

I'd say you be best off writing your own,as mentioned above... there are loads of ways to go about it, and the one that suits you best will probably have to be made by you