OpenFrameworks
OpenFrameworks is an open source C++ toolkit for creative coding. It helps developers create visual arts, interactive graphics, games, and more. It simplifies working with hardware like Kinect, Leap Motion, and OpenGL.
c
toolkit
graphics
games
opengl
kinect
leap-motion
OpenFrameworks: An Open Source C++ Toolkit for Creative Coding
An open source C++ toolkit for creating visual arts, interactive graphics, games, and more, simplifying work with hardware like Kinect, Leap Motion, and OpenGL.
What is OpenFrameworks?
OpenFrameworks is an open source C++ toolkit designed to assist with creative coding projects. It provides a simple framework for working with graphics, audio, video, networking, and other media functionality using C++. Some key aspects of OpenFrameworks:
- Cross-platform framework that works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Open source and written in C++ for high performance.
- Modular structure allows using only the features your application requires.
- Simplifies working with hardware like Kinect, Leap Motion, ARKit, and OpenGL.
- Large library of community-contributed addons for additional functionality.
- Active community forum and documentation to assist developers.
- Designed for artists, designers, educators, and hobbyists for creative coding projects like interactive installations, audiovisual performances, experimental interfaces, and more.
Overall, OpenFrameworks makes developing visual arts and media applications in C++ much faster and more accessible compared to using lower-level APIs directly. Its focus on creative coding has enabled a wide range of innovative and artistic generative and interactive projects.
OpenFrameworks Features
Features
- Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
- Written in C++
- Open source with MIT license
- Active community support
- Hardware accelerated 2D and 3D graphics via OpenGL
- Integration with devices like Kinect and Leap Motion
- Math and matrix operations
- Image and video I/O
- Audio input and output
- Networking capabilities
- Addons and extensions
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Free and open source
Cross-platform support
Large collection of addons
Active community
Simplifies complex tasks like graphics, audio, and hardware integration
Cons
Steep learning curve for C++
Less documentation than some frameworks
Requires knowledge of graphics programming
Not as high-level as frameworks like Processing
Official Links
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