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Author Topic: How to start with SFML?  (Read 2069 times)

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imanooooob

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How to start with SFML?
« on: November 26, 2014, 09:38:00 am »
While I'm learning C++ I wanted to make some simple games, the choice was between SDL and this, SDL had more documentation but I didn't really like the syntax.
So how can I learn SFML? the tutorials http://sfml-dev.org/tutorials/2.1/ are really short and they are probably leaving out a lot of stuff, am I going to learn something from them or should I look at something else?
And is SFML the right choice if you want to make more complex games (still 2D)?

eXpl0it3r

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AW: How to start with SFML?
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2014, 10:02:23 am »
It's essential that you first acquire a good basis in C++ (with good C++ literature). There are enough design decisions to make, so that you shouldn't be distracted by basic C++ issues. ;)

I really doubt that SDL is better documented. The SFML tutorials and the online documentation contain about any information you could need.
If you work through the tutorials you'll get to know about 95% of what SFML has to offer the other 5% are mostly more advanced topics which shouldn't concern you right now anyways.

For learn SFML there's also a book written by members of this community: https://www.packtpub.com/game-development/sfml-game-development

And yes, SFML can be used for complex games as well.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2014, 10:04:33 am by eXpl0it3r »
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imanooooob

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Re: AW: How to start with SFML?
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2014, 10:31:28 am »
It's essential that you first acquire a good basis in C++ (with good C++ literature). There are enough design decisions to make, so that you shouldn't be distracted by basic C++ issues. ;)

I really doubt that SDL is better documented. The SFML tutorials and the online documentation contain about any information you could need.
If you work through the tutorials you'll get to know about 95% of what SFML has to offer the other 5% are mostly more advanced topics which shouldn't concern you right now anyways.

For learn SFML there's also a book written by members of this community: https://www.packtpub.com/game-development/sfml-game-development

And yes, SFML can be used for complex games as well.
Thank you for the answer  :D
I have bought two books already (for C++), and I'm learning it for school so I have to know the basics no matter what  :) I already know C and C# so it's probably not going to be a problem if I start now anyway
So the tutorials are fine?

eXpl0it3r

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AW: How to start with SFML?
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2014, 10:40:05 am »
Don't full quote and if the context is clear don't quote at all.

Yes the tutorials are good for learning SFML. Work through them and if that's not enough take a look at the examples that ship with SFML.
Keep in mind however that learning how to use SFML doesn't teach you how to write games. SFML simply provides functions and is not a game framework/engine/etc.
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imanooooob

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Re: How to start with SFML?
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2014, 10:47:21 am »
Sorry I didn't know about the quoting, anyway I know that the SFML tutorials are not going to teach me how to make games, but I would like to know everything important to game development that SFML has, before I start making something.
I chose SFML for that instead of an engine, I just want to learn  :)

eXpl0it3r

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AW: How to start with SFML?
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2014, 10:51:05 am »
The tutorials will teach what SFML has to offer how and what you apply this for games is up to you. ;)
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Nexus

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Re: AW: How to start with SFML?
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2014, 05:03:59 pm »
I already know C and C# so it's probably not going to be a problem if I start now anyway
This is likely to turn out as a big fallacy.

C++ is a completely different language with different paradigms, even if it looks superficially similar. If you really want to learn it, plan to invest several months and don't think you can learn it incidentally to SFML. When you look at posts in this forum, a lot of people are making this mistake again and again, and eventually all of them waste much more time than if they had properly learned the language in the beginning. See also FAQ.

This just to set the expectations right. You might consider using SFML.NET if you already know C#, you will achieve results much faster.
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Jesper Juhl

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Re: How to start with SFML?
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2014, 06:01:35 pm »
Just to add to what Nexus said.
I'd say that a competent developer, who already knows one or more other languages, should be able to become pretty comfortable/competent with modern C++ in a year or two. But I'll never consider anyone a C++ expert who has not used C++ professionally for at least 5 years. The language really is that big and complex. It takes years to master it - and once you do know it well, picking up a library like SFML is going to be pretty simple, but if you don't know C++ well then picking up even a simple library like SFML is going to be a challenge.
So, all I really want to say is; learn C++ well - first - or be prepared to be frustrated often.