openFrameworks

openFrameworks

Developer(s)	Zachary Lieberman, Theo Watson,
Stable release	0.11.2 / March 24, 2021; 5 months ago (2021-03-24)
Repository	github.com/openframeworks/openFrameworks
Written in	C++
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Type	Application framework
License	MIT License
Website	openframeworks.cc

openFrameworks is an open source toolkit designed for creative coding founded by Zachary Lieberman, Theo Watson and . OpenFrameworks is written in C++ and built on top of OpenGL. It runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Emscripten. It is maintained by Zachary Lieberman, Theo Watson and with contributions by other members^[1] of the openFrameworks community.

History[]

OpenFrameworks v0.01 was released by Zachary Lieberman on August 3, 2005. By February 2006, version v0.03 was in use by Lieberman's students at the Parsons School of Design, New York City. According to its authors, openFrameworks was developed for

"... folks using computers for creative, artistic expression, and who would like low level access to the data inside of media in order manipulate, analyze or explore. That audience we felt was significantly underserved by the current crop of C++ libraries."^[2]

openFrameworks running the OpenCV add-on example.

Related projects[]

Its emphasis on "creative" uses draws parallels to Processing as both projects present a simplified interface to powerful libraries for media, hardware and communication. openFrameworks's main difference from Processing is that it is written in C++, instead of Java. Users will find many similarities between the two libraries, for example what is beginShape() in Processing is ofBeginShape() in openFrameworks. The openFrameworks wiki includes an article for people coming to openFrameworks from Processing.^[3]

Another similar project is Cinder, which is also a C++ library framework for creative programming. The primary difference is that openFrameworks has a larger number of dependencies on open source libraries, allowing advanced programmers more control and transparency, while Cinder is more dependent on libraries built into the operating systems it sits on top of, which generally means updates and bug fixes are more frequent and reliable with openFrameworks.^{[citation needed]}

Presentation of the project openFrameworks at the 2008 Ars Electronica Festival

License[]

Openframeworks is released under the MIT license. The libraries used by the framework each have their own licenses.^[2]

See also[]

• Processing – Java-based application built for the electronic arts and visual design communities.
• Cinder - C++-based framework for advanced visualization capabilities.

References[]

External links[]

• openframeworks.cc
• openFrameworks forum -- traditionally the best place for questions & announcements
• openFrameworks wiki -- documentation
• openFrameworks on GitHub

Real-world projects[]

Notable projects created with openFrameworks:

• audio space by Theodore Watson
• drawn by Zach Lieberman
• colors by Cory Arcangel
• re-gaze by
• L.A.S.E.R. Tag by Theo Watson/Graffiti Research Lab
• EyeWriter by Free Art and Technology (), OpenFrameworks, Graffiti Research Lab, and in collaboration with
• Magic Torch by Alberto García, Julio Obelleiro, Martín Nadal and Alberto Cortés
• Le Sacre du Printemps is by Klaus Obermaier with the , Chris Sugrue, and Matthias Bauer.
• TouchKit Multitouch System by NOR_/D
• Quase-Cinema VJ software by Alexandre Rangel
• Globe4D by , Nico van Dijk, Danica Mast, Hanco Hogenbirk
• Starry Night interactive animation by Petros Vrellis
• CCV 2D Multitouch Tracking by
• Super Hexagon by Terry Cavanagh
• Tournament Arena Soccer a 3D Android game by Nitra Games Ltd.