Object Loader (similar to AssImp)

[zmertens]

Any chance SFML could add an in-house object loader for common files types (.obj, .tga, ...) similar to ASSIMP? It could be very useful just to get the vertices, indices, normals, and so forth for 3D projects. I'm not too familiar with all the file types, but I know .obj files are pretty straight forward to parse.

[ChronicRat]

From assimp site:

No external dependencies except boost

No dependencies... oh, yeah, just boost.

[zmertens]

I don't mean integrating ASSIMP directly into SFML, but using similar features (similar to how sf::Image uses stb_image internally if I recall correctly).

[Laurent]

1. SFML doesn't deal with 3D

2. I know something similar to ASSIMP that works very well: ASSIMP

[Mario]

I think TGA images are actually supported by stb_image, so SFML should be able to load them.

And I agree with Laurent, I don't see any point in loading 3D formats, especially considering SFML doesn't support the third dimension (unless you fiddle with your own OpenGL calls).

A simple SVG loader would be awesome. Problem here is "simple", though.

[zmertens]

You guys make some good points. And Mario's right, stb_image does support TGA's according to the GitHub. I think I was thinking of another popular object file type at the time I wrote that. I guess I just wanted something that had the same spirit as SFML (to satisfy my OCD). I think if I have some extra time I might try to make sf::Model class for fun - it would only be able to parse .obj files though (because that's all I know).

namespace sf
class Model
{
public:
    Model(std::string filename);
    // getters + setters
private:
    std::vector<sf::Vector3f> mVertices, mNormals;
    std::vector<sf::Vector2f> mTexCoords;
    std::vector<unsigned int> mIndices;
};

 It would basically perform the same functionality as the ASSIMP ai_scene that gathers normals, indices, vertices. But like Laurent said using ASSIMP is much easier (and provides more functionality) so I'm not sure what the real point would be.

[Laurent]

This SFML fork with support for 3D may interest you: https://github.com/binary1248/SFML

It has support for models, but doesn't load model files. However it has a very simple OBJ loader in the "3d" example.

[Gambit]

Can someone explain how SFML doesnt support 3D? It supports user provided OpenGL calls. You can just add the 3D yourself with GLM or something.

[eXpl0it3r]

If you use OpenGL calls for 3D, you're not using SFML calls and you can't use SFML calls for 3D, since it isn't supported.

[Gambit]

I see. Well how would SFML "support" 3D? I assume a camera and projection and the ability to project sprites onto a 3d plane? I think asset loading shouldnt be directly supported since its sort of ambiguous (i.e Multiple libraries and formats for 3D assets).

[eXpl0it3r]

As Laurent pointed out, you can check out the fork which added some basic 3D capabilities.
For now we won't be investigating 3D support.

[Austin J]

From assimp site:

No external dependencies except boost

No dependencies... oh, yeah, just boost.

1. SFML doesn't deal with 3D

2. I know something similar to ASSIMP that works very well: ASSIMP

I love the sass in this thread! 

[Austin J]

Anyways IMO if you want to mix 3d with 2d much at all, you're a lot better off just picking a 3d lib, whether it's OGRE, Irrlicht, Horde, whatever, the fact is these libraries aren't exclusively 3d, they have 2d features, and I think it makes better sense to go with them than to make a Christmas list for Laurent to look at.