Question 1

Should I use cimgui or directly call Dear ImGui from C++?

Accepted Answer

Use cimgui only if you need a C interface for language bindings in non-C++ languages; otherwise, direct C++ usage is more straightforward and avoids the thin wrapper overhead. cimgui adds a layer that can simplify cross-language integration but isn't necessary for pure C++ projects.

Question 2

How do I compile cimgui with SDL2 backend?

Accepted Answer

Follow the examples in the backend_test folder, which include CMake configurations for SDL2 and OpenGL3/Vulkan. You'll need to clone the repository recursively and adjust compiler settings based on your platform, as outlined in the compilation section of the README.

Question 3

What languages have bindings for cimgui?

Accepted Answer

Several bindings exist, including for LuaJIT, .NET, Rust, Nim, D, and Julia, as listed in the README's example bindings section. These leverage cimgui's C API to provide native interfaces in those languages, but you may need to check individual repositories for updates.

Question 4

Can I use cimgui with a modified version of Dear ImGui?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use the generator to wrap a different Dear ImGui version by updating the imgui folder and running generator scripts, but it requires setup with LuaJIT and a C++ compiler, and you might need to handle overloads or internal API changes manually.

Question 5

Is cimgui performance similar to Dear ImGui?

Accepted Answer

cimgui adds minimal overhead due to C function call translations, but it's generally negligible for most applications. However, for performance-critical scenarios like real-time games, direct C++ usage might be preferable to avoid any extra indirection.

Question 6

How do I update cimgui to a newer Dear ImGui release?

Accepted Answer

Update the imgui submodule to the desired version, then run the generator scripts with LuaJIT and a C++ compiler to regenerate cimgui.h and cimgui.cpp. The README notes this process but warns that custom overloads or configurations might need adjustments.

cImgui

What is cImgui?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions