OpenGL Libraries

Question

Downloaded the OpenGL files labelled glut-3.7 with sub files glut-3.7\Lib and included them in my Configuration Properties Linker General Additional Library C:\glut-3.7\Lib. When I executed the program, it said that the glut-3.7\Lib program .obj could not be opened? I am assuming, again, that the files that I have downloaded either have not been compiled to produce a .obj file or I am downloading the wrong files. Sure wish that someone knew where to download the proper files, any advice will help, Sid Kraft

Answer 1

The solution did work for downloading and executing the vcpkg program by bypassing the strict, built in version . However, after the statement #include <GL/gl.h> and did the re-load in visual studio with C++, the loader still gave me the error "could not open the .obj file as specified". I suspect it is because of the additional Configuration Properties-->C/C++ --> General --> Additional Include Directories not pointing to the correct files for the #include and the Configuration Properties -->Linker-->General-->Additional Library Directories also not pointing to the proper locations. From your experience where should these additional directories be pointing? Sid Kraft

Answer 2

Hello @Sid Kraft ,

Thanks for your question.

I can see you are putting a lot of effort into getting these files linked manually. Dealing with .lib files, .obj files, and folder paths by hand is notoriously tricky in C++.

Because manual linking is so prone to breaking - especially with older packages like glut-3.7. I highly recommend we go back to the vcpkg method we successfully set up in your previous thread.

Using vcpkg is the modern, Microsoft-recommended approach because it handles all of this linking automatically behind the scenes.

Furthermore, I have tested and it works as expected. It will help us save much time.

Hope this helps. Thank you for your time.

Answer 3

glut is obsolete and has had no maintenance in over a decade. there is a free glut on GitHub.

https://github.com/freeglut/freeglut

yes, you will need to build the library.

if you just want graphics on windows, you might want to use DirectX. It has more support. you can just install the c++ game development workload, and create projects.

https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/features/directx-game-dev/