15.1 ClanLib

ClanLib is a free, OpenGL-based, cross-platform, and open-source SDK (Software Development Kit) or GDK (Game Development Kit) designed to make programming 2D games easier. It does this by offering a wide selection of classes and functions for drawing graphics and animations in 2D. For example, it offers classes to draw still images to the screen, and it also allows programmers to define a series of images to be used as frames for an animation. Ultimately, it does a lot of the hard work for the programmer. Additionally, it offers classes for handling input and for playing music, which we shall also examine briefly. Before examining ClanLib in greater detail, it is important to explain where it can be downloaded and how it should be configured.