Any good 2d gfx engines?

Quall · Post by **Quall** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:11 am

Well, I have been using irrlicht for quite some time, but wanted to start as simple as possible, maybe pong then to tetris. However, I would like to start 2d before I go 3d.

Are there any good open-source 2d graphics engines (c++) around, with, at least, pixel collision detection?

I've looked into Allegra, but it requires many, MANY, library files for the different type of image formats. Before I choose that engine, I would like to look at my alternatives.

Anyone?

tobing · Post by **tobing** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:10 am

You mean allegro?

Head over to their forum on http://www.allegro.cc, it's a lively and friendly community. Someone will help you with pixel collision detection for sure.

As for the image loading, you only have to attach libraries for the image formats you want to use. I found it easier to convert my images to TGA which is directly supported instead of adding image loading libraries...

needforhint · Post by **needforhint** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:53 pm

I would like to start 2d before I go 3d

that's just silly, if you do a game, you write some classes of your own like tasking and objects you imagine there to be.... irrlicht just visualize them.... do a 2d game if you want, but I understand it the way you want to learn to make the things that "are hidden behind the graphic".... if you apply them to 3d, nothing will get harder for you really (if you have models)

eXodus · Post by **eXodus** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:12 am

You're right about programming, but 3D Rendering techniques and maths are obviously more complex than what is used in 2D.

Quall · Post by **Quall** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:21 am

One of the main reasons for switching over is physics and collision detections. There are many easy 2d libraries that a much simpler than 3d.

Besides, the "idea" of game design is easier to learn in 2d as well. The artwork is easier too.

I don't plan on rejecting 3d design, I just don't thin kit is as suitable for beginners as 2d design.

Jamotto · Post by **Jamotto** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 5:01 am

You might scan through this list of 2D and 3D engines

http://www.ambrosine.com/resource.html

terefang · Post by **terefang** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 8:43 am

why not use irrlicht's 2d drawing functions ?

Quall · Post by **Quall** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 8:49 pm

frankly, I think a 2d specific engine would have more texture manipulating features.

However, I might just use irrlicht. The allegro engine is impossible to set up in msvc++. There is pretty much no documentation on it, and it is not as easy as linking to the headers and adding the library files. You have to run bat files or something else. I haven't been able to compile a demo with 2 days of trying.

If there were some 2d action games, maybe I would be more enthusiastic. I don't even know how to start with irrlicht. Aren't all 2d images drawn with the gui class? I know making static images in irrlicht is really easy, but I can't imagine how to draw a 2d world.

Armen138 · Post by **Armen138** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:46 am

if there were some 2d games....?? ever heard of Abuse, Prince of Persia, Blackthorne, ..... !

anyway, some 2d engines ive played with in the past:

SDL
Allegro
ClanLib
SVGAlib(just forget about this one tho)
and some others i forgot about

i stuck the longest with SDL, but i recommend you have a look at ClanLib as well

good luck!