A C# retained-mode UI framework for creating realtime GUIs in games and 2D/3D applications, independent of rendering engine.
Squid is a C# retained-mode UI framework for creating user interfaces in games and realtime 2D/3D applications. It solves the problem of building performant, flexible GUIs without being tied to a specific rendering engine, allowing developers to integrate it with their preferred graphics stack.
Game developers and engineers working on realtime applications in C# who need a lightweight, engine-agnostic UI system with full rendering control.
Developers choose Squid for its retained-mode architecture, ease of integration, and complete freedom over rendering, making it ideal for custom game engines or applications where standard UI libraries are too restrictive.
C# Realtime GUI System
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Works with any rendering engine on .NET 2.0 platforms, allowing seamless integration into custom game engines or existing graphics pipelines, as emphasized in the README.
Uses a retained-mode architecture for optimized UI management, making it fast and suitable for realtime applications with frequent updates, as highlighted in the features list.
Includes a wide range of standard UI controls like Button, Window, and TreeView, covering most needs for game and application interfaces, as detailed in the README.
Supports docking, anchoring, margin, padding, and scale9 texture grids for sophisticated and responsive UI arrangements, enabling complex designs without manual positioning.
Requires developers to implement the ISquidRenderer interface for all drawing, adding significant upfront work and complexity compared to libraries with built-in rendering.
Relies on .NET 2.0, which is outdated and may limit access to modern .NET features, potentially complicating integration with newer projects or platforms.
The README lists TODOs like merging TextBox and TextArea, indicating incomplete refactoring and potential instability or maintenance challenges.