How do I create a new OpenGL ES demo in DemoFramework?

Use the FslBuildNew.py script with a template like GLES2, e.g., 'FslBuildNew.py GLES2 MyDemo', which generates a project directory with basic setup and registration code as shown in the README.

DemoFramework vs SDL for cross-platform graphics demos?

DemoFramework is specialized for multi-API demos and benchmarks with built-in tools for performance analysis, while SDL is a general-purpose multimedia library. Choose DemoFramework for precise cross-platform testing, SDL for broader game or application development.

Is DemoFramework free for commercial use?

The README states 'No copyleft restrictions from GPL / L-GPL licenses,' but you should check the specific license files in the repository for exact terms, as it might be proprietary or have other restrictions.

How to load assets like textures in DemoFramework?

Use the IContentManager service to read files from the Content folder, e.g., 'contentManager->ReadTexture("Texture.bmp", PixelFormat::R8G8B8_UINT)', which handles platform-agnostic loading as detailed in the content loading section.

What OpenGL ES versions are fully supported?

It supports OpenGL ES 2, 3, and 3.1 with dedicated templates and registration methods, but some extensions or features might require specific configurations as per the demo registration examples.

Can I use DemoFramework for Vulkan development on Android?

Yes, but Vulkan is marked as 'early access,' so support might be experimental; refer to the Vulkan template and sample applications for current limitations and setup requirements.

DemoFramework — C++20 Cross-Platform Graphics Framework

What is DemoFramework?

DemoFramework is a C++20 cross-platform framework for rapidly developing demos and benchmarks for graphics and compute APIs such as Vulkan, OpenGL ES, OpenVX, OpenCL, OpenVG, and OpenCV. It handles low-level OS-specific tasks like window creation, context setup, and asset management, allowing developers to concentrate on implementing visual effects, algorithms, or performance tests. The framework ensures that the same demo code runs identically across supported platforms, enabling accurate cross-platform performance comparisons.

Target Audience

Graphics engineers, embedded systems developers, and researchers who need to create portable demos, benchmarks, or proof-of-concepts for GPU APIs across Android, Linux, and Windows environments.

Value Proposition

Developers choose DemoFramework for its extensive cross-platform support, automated build system that reduces maintenance overhead, and comprehensive abstraction of boilerplate code. Its large collection of pre-built samples (over 235) across multiple APIs accelerates prototyping and testing, while the consistent architecture ensures demos are easily portable and comparable across different operating systems.

Overview

DemoFramework is a multi-platform framework designed to accelerate the development of demos and benchmarks for various graphics and compute APIs. It abstracts away OS-specific boilerplate code for window management, context creation, asset loading, and rendering loops, allowing developers to focus on writing the core demo logic. The same demo code can be compiled and run across multiple platforms, enabling true comparative performance analysis.

Key Features

Cross-Platform Support — Runs on Android NDK, Linux (including Yocto), Ubuntu 22.04, and Windows 10+.
API Abstraction — Provides templates for Vulkan, OpenGL ES 2/3/3.1, OpenVG, OpenVX, OpenCL, OpenCV, G2D, and generic window/console apps.
Automated Build System — Uses a custom XML-based meta-build system (FslBuildGen) to generate platform-specific build files (CMake, Visual Studio, etc.) from minimal configuration.
Content Pipeline — Includes asset management, shader compilation, and platform-agnostic file loading via a content manager service.
Time-Step Management — Supports both fixed and variable time-step updates for animations and physics.
Demo Playback Tools — Built-in support for performance graphs, screenshots, frame stepping, pause, and slow/fast playback.
Service Integration — Offers services for input (keyboard, mouse, gamepad), persistent data, logging, and event handling.

Philosophy

DemoFramework prioritizes developer productivity by eliminating repetitive platform-specific code, ensuring that demos are portable and maintainable across a wide range of operating systems and graphics APIs.

DemoFramework

What is DemoFramework?

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