What is happening when an .irr scene file is loading?

[Cube_]

You can't create a device when you already have a device, and you can't refresh the screen when still loading files, only between loading - if you want that you might want a 3rd party library like assimp (note: getting it to play nicely with irrlicht is an entirely unrelated question).

The easiest way to do it is to manage the loading screen externally from irrlicht, or display a static loading screen (this is what I do - works marvels)

[CuteAlien]

You can update stuff as the log message is send immediately. Even if it's somewhat of a hack.
And I also think it's the reason MartinVee mentioned - you probably have beginScene running already at that point.
And you don't need to create a statictext element each time - you only need on - which you can change with setText.

But as first test- use just printf. If that doesn't update on each texture then it doesn't work anyway. Or use a debugger.

[MartinVee]

I'm hesitant to post this, because it caused so many problems for us... but maybe you can make it work correctly. Be aware, though, that I'm actively working to replace this. I'm just not sure if the problems are with the actual method, or with the flaky implementation. So here goes...

We inherited a codebase that was creating a thread while loading the resources with the main thread. This secondary thread was creating it's own IrrlichtDevice but used the software renderer (since the OpenGL and DirectX drivers aren't thread-safe). The new software-rendered window was displayed on top of the main window, and was showing a loading screen animation. Once the main thread finished with the loading, it signaled the thread which then ended gracefully.

I can't really show you code for that as the implementation is flaky (I wish to stay polite), so I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader. I'm still not convinced this is a good way of using Irrlicht.

[Cube_]

I can't really show you code for that as the implementation is flaky (I wish to stay polite), so I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader. I'm still not convinced this is a good way of using Irrlicht.

You'd be correct, it's not a good way the way irrlicht is written - if I ever finish my thread-safe patch I might release it (that is, if it's any good - otherwise it goes in the bin) but irrlicht as-is... well it's not a brilliant idea unless used very carefully.