The glh Library FAQ Pages

The glh Library

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Thanks to
OpenGL Logo
by Silicon Graphics Inc.
www.opengl.org

The glh Library FAQ Pages

Question 0 : When was this FAQ written?
Monday, August 32, 2005 - first version

Question 1 : How do I use it?
This part is Windows specific and VC++ specific.
Copy the header file (glhlib.h) to your GL folder of your VC++ compiler. The GL folder is inside VC98\Include.
You can use VC++ .NET as I have and in this case, the include folder path will be different.
Currently, glhlib is written with VC++6 SP5.
It is compiled for Pentium Pro, Maximize Speed.
OK, next! Copy glhlib.lib to the lib folder and copy glhlib.dll to your Windows System folder or your apps folder.
In your project, include the header :
#include GL\glhlib.h
and be sure to link with glhlib.lib.

glhlib has been through some changes. Some of those changes required older functions to be updated for consistency. Some functions require you to call glhInitLibrary and glhShutDownLibrary and some don't. In general, it's a good idea to call these.
When should you call them? Before using any other glh function and just before shutdown is a good idea.
Read the next question.

Question 2 : What happens if I don't call glhInitLibrary and glhShutDownLibrary?
Some function don't require them because they have not yet been brought up to date.
I recommend you update your code to call these functions.
Don't worry about these "future" updates. They won't break your code.

Question 3 : Who is it for?
Anyone doing 3D programming with OpenGL and alternative APIs.
glhlib is being used by some people out there. Some people email me with their questions, although this is rare.
It is being used in commercial projects as well. It has advanced sufficiently since version 1.4, but progress is still being made.
glhlib has been listed on 3rd party sites.
Some people have suggested it to each other on forums.
I have also done so in an effort to let people out there know that it's a worthy library.
You might want to read Question 7.

Question 4 : Is this for OpenGL programming?
The glh library (glhlib) was written with GL in mind, but it can be used for other purposes as well.
Most of the glh functions don't make any GL calls, thus they don't require a GL context.
glhlib is intended to be a GLU replacement.
It includes many functions, but it doesn't cover everything GLU has.
Read the next question.

Question 5 : What functionality is glhlib missing that GLU possess?
GLU has NURBS support. glhlib doesn't.
GLU has a tesselator. glhlib doesn't.
GLU has quadrics support, such as gluSphere, gluCylinder, gluDisk, gluPartialDisk. glhlib currently has glhCreateCubef2, glhDeleteCubef2, glhCreateCylinderf2, glhDeleteCylinderf2, glhCreateSpheref2, glhDeleteSpheref2 glhCreatePartialSpheref2, glhDeletePartialSpheref2, and there is more to come.
glhlib is object oriented and doesn't make calls to deprecated GL functions like glBegin, glVertex, glEnd.
glhlib is written to be used with modern day GL, with shaders and VBO.
You can also get tangent and binormal vectors for the glh shapes.
Overall, glhlib surpasses GLU by far in terms of features. It even contains hidden code which I haven't exported as functions yet.

Question 6 : Is there a forum?
No. I wanted to have a website that supports a PHP based forum, such as Beehive but so far, there isn't one due to technical issues I had installing it.
Instead, please email me and I'll be happy to answer.

Question 7 : Is it open source?
glhlib is now open sourced, since Friday, August 3, 2007
It is released as LGPL

Question 8 : What's the license? Where's the license?
license.html is in the download.
Also, read copyright.txt

Question 9 : Can I make suggestions?
Sure, if you have a good idea, it may appear in glhlib and I can give you credit if you want.

Question 10 : What other platforms will be supported?
Most likely, the x86 generation of CPUs. I may port to Win64, Linux 32 and Linux 64.
I don't have access to other platforms.
Since the source code is now open, anyone will be able to port to anything.

Thanks to
OpenGL Logo
by Silicon Graphics Inc.
www.opengl.org

* OpenGL(R) is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.

	Question 0 : When was this FAQ written? Monday, August 32, 2005 - first version
	Question 1 : How do I use it? This part is Windows specific and VC++ specific. Copy the header file (glhlib.h) to your GL folder of your VC++ compiler. The GL folder is inside VC98\Include. You can use VC++ .NET as I have and in this case, the include folder path will be different. Currently, glhlib is written with VC++6 SP5. It is compiled for Pentium Pro, Maximize Speed. OK, next! Copy glhlib.lib to the lib folder and copy glhlib.dll to your Windows System folder or your apps folder. In your project, include the header : #include GL\glhlib.h and be sure to link with glhlib.lib. glhlib has been through some changes. Some of those changes required older functions to be updated for consistency. Some functions require you to call glhInitLibrary and glhShutDownLibrary and some don't. In general, it's a good idea to call these. When should you call them? Before using any other glh function and just before shutdown is a good idea. Read the next question.
	Question 2 : What happens if I don't call glhInitLibrary and glhShutDownLibrary? Some function don't require them because they have not yet been brought up to date. I recommend you update your code to call these functions. Don't worry about these "future" updates. They won't break your code.
	Question 3 : Who is it for? Anyone doing 3D programming with OpenGL and alternative APIs. glhlib is being used by some people out there. Some people email me with their questions, although this is rare. It is being used in commercial projects as well. It has advanced sufficiently since version 1.4, but progress is still being made. glhlib has been listed on 3rd party sites. Some people have suggested it to each other on forums. I have also done so in an effort to let people out there know that it's a worthy library. You might want to read Question 7.
	Question 4 : Is this for OpenGL programming? The glh library (glhlib) was written with GL in mind, but it can be used for other purposes as well. Most of the glh functions don't make any GL calls, thus they don't require a GL context. glhlib is intended to be a GLU replacement. It includes many functions, but it doesn't cover everything GLU has. Read the next question.
	Question 5 : What functionality is glhlib missing that GLU possess? GLU has NURBS support. glhlib doesn't. GLU has a tesselator. glhlib doesn't. GLU has quadrics support, such as gluSphere, gluCylinder, gluDisk, gluPartialDisk. glhlib currently has glhCreateCubef2, glhDeleteCubef2, glhCreateCylinderf2, glhDeleteCylinderf2, glhCreateSpheref2, glhDeleteSpheref2 glhCreatePartialSpheref2, glhDeletePartialSpheref2, and there is more to come. glhlib is object oriented and doesn't make calls to deprecated GL functions like glBegin, glVertex, glEnd. glhlib is written to be used with modern day GL, with shaders and VBO. You can also get tangent and binormal vectors for the glh shapes. Overall, glhlib surpasses GLU by far in terms of features. It even contains hidden code which I haven't exported as functions yet.
	Question 6 : Is there a forum? No. I wanted to have a website that supports a PHP based forum, such as Beehive but so far, there isn't one due to technical issues I had installing it. Instead, please email me and I'll be happy to answer.
	Question 7 : Is it open source? glhlib is now open sourced, since Friday, August 3, 2007 It is released as LGPL
	Question 8 : What's the license? Where's the license? license.html is in the download. Also, read copyright.txt
	Question 9 : Can I make suggestions? Sure, if you have a good idea, it may appear in glhlib and I can give you credit if you want.
	Question 10 : What other platforms will be supported? Most likely, the x86 generation of CPUs. I may port to Win64, Linux 32 and Linux 64. I don't have access to other platforms. Since the source code is now open, anyone will be able to port to anything.