How to insert images into DevC++ code

[Marx Chaotix]

I'm fairly new to C++ (in the class right now) and I understand much of the basics of the language and right now I wish to make a simple text based RPG (wherein I Insert images and whatnot into the game) and would like to know how to (if at all possible) insert images.

[N64vSNES]

What do you mean insert images?

You want to use graphics?

[Marx Chaotix]

What do you mean insert images?

You want to use graphics?

I suppose if that's what'll do it. Again I'm still somewhat of a newb so I'm completely new to graphics I'm still working with text based programs and am just beginning to master creating classes lol

[wearymemory]

What do you mean insert images?

You want to use graphics?

I suppose if that's what'll do it. Again I'm still somewhat of a newb so I'm completely new to graphics I'm still working with text based programs and am just beginning to master creating classes lol

You could either rely on your OS's Graphics API, or a third-party graphics library (e.g., SDL, SFML, OpenGL, etc.). You shouldn't use either, IMHO; not until you've learned more.

[Marx Chaotix]

What do you mean insert images?

You want to use graphics?

I suppose if that's what'll do it. Again I'm still somewhat of a newb so I'm completely new to graphics I'm still working with text based programs and am just beginning to master creating classes lol

You could either rely on your OS's Graphics API, or a third-party graphics library (e.g., SDL, SFML, OpenGL, etc.). You shouldn't use either, IMHO; not until you've learned more.

So you think I shouldn't move onto inserting images into my programming until I've become more knowledgeable with the language?

[eatcomics]

Still not sure what you mean by inserting images, but if you mean a graphical game with another API like SDL or OpenGL then yes definitely

Honestly I'd think a chaos rift devotee would know a lot more about this subject...

[Marx Chaotix]

Still not sure what you mean by inserting images, but if you mean a graphical game with another API like SDL or OpenGL then yes definitely

Honestly I'd think a chaos rift devotee would know a lot more about this subject...

Thanks for the final line... (once more I stated I only recently got into C++ programming)
And what I mean is a simple text based rpg with mere jpegs in it or something of the sort.

[eatcomics]

Yeah you can't do that without an API like SDL, but it would be WAY too much work making a text based game in SDL or similar

[wearymemory]

So you think I shouldn't move onto inserting images into my programming until I've become more knowledgeable with the language?

Unfortunately, "a simple text based rpg with mere jpegs in it" just isn't that simple. I'm not aware of any standard way of inserting an image into the console. This sort of application would most likely be written in its own GUI. Unfortunately, there are no standard ways that I know of to create a GUI, except through the OS or third-party libraries (it may be more effective to rely on third-party libraries, as they may offer an extensible API that can work across multiple platforms). It might be easier to rely on a library like Qt because you may end up replicating the console, and it has preexisting widgets that could help, but it might still be difficult for a beginner. Also, depending on the library you plan on using, you may have to write your own image loader that corresponds to the format specification of the image file that you want to use in your program (e.g., BMP, PNG, and JPEG all represent image data differently).

Have you learned how to link libraries? Have you learned File IO? What about creating and using classes; inheritance, polymorphism, etc.? These are just a few of the problems that you may run into, so until you can comfortably answer yes to each of these questions, I would suggest that you focus on learning the techniques (in class or by yourself), instead of diving head-first into them all at once. You should have a working knowledge and experience in those areas before trying to apply them to game development. However, we can't stop you if you feel obligated to try your idea out, but you may end up using or referring to code that you don't quite understand, or can't fix because you didn't take the time to learn how it worked, and that can be a bad habit to break.

Good-luck.

[eatcomics]

OR DO YOU MEAN LIKE THIS? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgJiPXbgR6E
draws out images in the console :D

[Marx Chaotix]

So you think I shouldn't move onto inserting images into my programming until I've become more knowledgeable with the language?

Unfortunately, "a simple text based rpg with mere jpegs in it" just isn't that simple. I'm not aware of any standard way of inserting an image into the console. This sort of application would most likely be written in its own GUI. Unfortunately, there are no standard ways that I know of to create a GUI, except through the OS or third-party libraries (it may be more effective to rely on third-party libraries, as they may offer an extensible API that can work across multiple platforms). It might be easier to rely on a library like Qt because you may end up replicating the console, and it has preexisting widgets that could help, but it might still be difficult for a beginner. Also, depending on the library you plan on using, you may have to write your own image loader that corresponds to the format specification of the image file that you want to use in your program (e.g., BMP, PNG, and JPEG all represent image data differently).

Have you learned how to link libraries? Have you learned File IO? What about creating and using classes; inheritance, polymorphism, etc.? These are just a few of the problems that you may run into, so until you can comfortably answer yes to each of these questions, I would suggest that you focus on learning the techniques (in class or by yourself), instead of diving head-first into them all at once. You should have a working knowledge and experience in those areas before trying to apply them to game development. However, we can't stop you if you feel obligated to try your idea out, but you may end up using or referring to code that you don't quite understand, or can't fix because you didn't take the time to learn how it worked, and that can be a bad habit to break.

Good-luck.

Thank you for all of your advice! I suppose it would be best for me to hold off on it for a little while and resume my studies. I suppose I just took fancy in the concept of creating one.

[Marx Chaotix]

OR DO YOU MEAN LIKE THIS? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgJiPXbgR6E
draws out images in the console :D

Oh wow! That's pretty impressive!

[pritam]

Try to find short simple straighforward SDL tutorials [url=http://search.cpan.org/~kthakore/SDL_Pe ... /Images.pm]such as this one[/img], this is something I wish I'd known when I started programming, I moved on to Basic for not knowing how to do it with C++ (or if it was even possible) the book I had was ok but didn't have any direction for game programming with C++.

[wearymemory]

Try to find short simple straighforward . . . tutorials such as this one, this is something I wish I'd known when I started programming, I moved on to Basic for not knowing how to do it with C++ (or if it was even possible) the book I had was ok but didn't have any direction for game programming with C++.

I agree, choosing something simple and straightforward is an inherently important artifact when looking for learning resources.

I would also like to note that pritam's experience extends further affirmation to my advice; for languages that weren't specifically made to be used in game programming, you should learn them first and foremost without any contingencies such as game development. Everything you learn about the language can be applied to game development, so you won't be wasting your time if you learn all that you can, whereas you may not be able to apply certain aspects that you've learned to other areas of development, if you've relied on a third-party library the entire time you learned the language.

My advice has come from a reflection on the past experiences of others, as well as myself. If curiosities arise, and you want to try something, then we can always try to help you with any possible questions that arise, but remember to rely mostly on faithful resources from the internet or books, and looking at the API documentation of whichever library you choose. However, the most important thing is that you do not stop learning or move to another language like pritam (that's not a bad thing, as long as you think hard about your reasons for doing so) when you become frustrated after not being able to accomplish something that most people in your position wouldn't be able to do either.

[pritam]

I couldn't agree more WearyMemory, I must say.. what probably everyone already understands from Basic languages is that it did increase a quicker learning curve to game programming, but slowed down understanding of behind-the-scenes procedures you often need to do yourself using a library like SDL. Just wanted to mention that, even tho I found some Basic languages great, I missed out on more technical things for years. I don't regret it, but I'm saying that I wish I'd kept an eye on both C++ and Basic if possible at the time.