Embedding python GUI in an OpenGL app

[Mike C. Fletcher]

This approach is normally described as "extending" Python, rather than 
"embedding" Python in an application (the distinction being which 
application "drives" and which is "driven").

There shouldn't be any significant problems from the OpenGL side.  Most 
Python GUI libraries provide an OpenGL context, once you set that 
context current from Python, you can simply call your C++ methods and 
they will be directed to the current context.

If you need your application to be "in control" of the context (managing 
size, creation, event handling etc.), you will likely need to muck 
around in the internals of the particular GUI library to find the 
function which returns a window handle for a given GUI window and pass 
that to your C++ code constructor.  You'll also need to provide all the 
standard GUI-library mechanisms (set-current, passing in resize and 
mouse events etc.) you can normally find out everything you need to do 
for this simply by looking at the GUI library's OpenGL widget and 
exposing the equivalent functionality during embedding.

Good luck,
Mike

Leigh McRae wrote:

>I want to use Python as the scripting language in my C++ application. 
>There is a tonne of docs for that and I don't see any problems there. 
>What I am wondering is about using a python GUI instead of writing my
>own.  The application uses OpenGL directly without any framework libs
>such as SDL.  Would it be possible to for a Python GUI to live with my
>app?  The plan would be to use SWIG to make functions available for
>the GUI to use.  Not so sure how sharing the same OpenGL window and
>context would work.
>  Thank you in advance for any time spent.
>
>Leigh
>  
>

-- 
_______________________________________
  Mike C. Fletcher
  Designer, VR Plumber, Coder
  http://members.rogers.com/mcfletch/