School''s out, and I am starting the summer project I have been pondering for quite some time. Originally, I had planned a 3D isometric using Java and Java 3D. After my last quarter, I learned a fair amount of OGL, and really like it. All of it was done using C, as well. The problem I face now is directly realted to the fact that we used GLUT extensively. I have finished some engine design stuff (pen and paper, no code), and am eager to start programming. After tasting OGL, I would like to continue with it. However, I feel that I can make this game in Java and have it still run at a reasonable rate. I like Java for two reasons: I can crank out code quickly, and the online API Libriaries. I looked into GL4Java, but I have found the only info about Glut to be "Glut will be supported soon." So my question is how extensively, if at all, do you guys use glut, and how useful is it? Additionally, should I: 1.) Bite the bullet, and go back to programming in C/C++ (which I would really rather not do for this). 2.) Write it in Java with GL4Java, ignoring Glut. 3.) Write it in Java with Java3D. 4.) Drop this project and work on writing a gnu glut4java wrapper class...which would be useful but relatively boring and probably fairly difficult as well, so I''d really rather not do this either. If you say #1, could you please throw me a link to some free online libraries. I am a student and don''t have access to any proffesional libraries, and I really don''t want to spend time writing code that is readily available. One last note: This is NOT a flame war between Java and C/C++. I know the qualities of these languages and have my own reasons for what to use and when. This question is simply about which graphics API to pursue, hopefully using Java. Thanx! --OctDev

I would recommend you do your game in C/C++, as not only is it the widest used programming language around, but its perfect for games. Second of all, I prefer not to use the GLUT (simply because I like to be in complete control of my program).

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Trent (ShiningKnight)
E-mail me
OpenGL Game Programming Tutorials

Thanx for the recomendations.

In class, we were basically told that glut adds a layer of abstraction and helps make things look nicer and is generally easier to implement to get the same results. Can you by any chance give me an example where using glut takes away control that might otherwise be useful? (I guess we were told of benefits only, not any of the detrimental aspects, and I would like to hear about those before making a final decision!).

Thanx again.



--OctDev

Well, for instance, I like my program window to be very restricted, I don''t like the user being able to alter it''s size at all. And, if anything, the GLUT makes programs look the same, but not nicer. Plus, I don''t like using other people''s libraries if I don''t have to. I like to know everythign about something I am doing, instead of relying on other libs to make my life easier (i like things hard)...

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Trent (ShiningKnight)
E-mail me
OpenGL Game Programming Tutorials

AWESOME LINK!!!

Thanx so much...I really have no clue about free libraries for C/C++, but would be much more inclined to use it if I was a little more informed about them. Anyway, I''ll keep things posted as this project progresses, but it will probably be in one of the programming forums. Thanx again for the help.

If anyone has any links to free C/C++ libraries with optimized data structures, I would be extremely grateful.

--OctDev

Thanx for the Glut clarification ShiningKnight!

So I am hoping that learning to implement the glut functions myself won''t necessarily be a huge task.

--OctDev