Basic Graphic Programming in C++

Introduction
So far we have been using C language for simple console output only.  Most of us are unaware that using C++, low level graphics program can also be made. This means we can incorporate shapes,colors and designer fonts in our program. This article deals with the steps to enable the DevC++ compiler to generate graphics .
Configuring DevC++

• Step 1: Download the DevC++ version 5.11 from here.
• Step 2: Download the Graphics header files, and etc stuff needed from the given dropbox link.
• Step 3: Extract the contents of the rar file.
• Step 4: Go to the location where DevC++ is installed. For me its D drive. Go inside the MinGW64 folder. Copy the graphics.h and winbgim.h in the include folder and D:\Dev-Cpp\MinGW64\x86_64-w64-mingw32\include folder.
• Step 5:Copy the libbgi.a file into lib folder and in D:\Dev-Cpp\MinGW64\x86_64-w64-mingw32\lib folder.
• Step 6: Copy the ConsoleAppGraphics.template, ConsoleApp_cpp_graph.txt files and paste them inside the template folder of the devc++ installer location.

Now we are done with configuring of the DevC++ to support graphics programming. We shall write our very first graphics program now.
Running the first graphics program

1. Open DevC++. Click file ->New ->Project.
2. Make sure you get the Console Graphics option. However, we are not going to click on it.
3. Choose Empty Project option and Give a project name and make sure the selected language is C++.
4. Copy the following code to the editor window.

   #include<graphics.h>
   #include <conio.h>
   int main()
   {
       int gd = DETECT, gm;
       initgraph(&gd,&gm, "C:\\tc\\bgi");
       circle(300,300,50);
       closegraph();
       getch();
   }
   
   

5. Go to “Project” menu and choose “Project Options” (or just press ALT+P).
6. Go to the “Parameters” tab In the “Linker” field, enter the following text:
   -lbgi
   -lgdi32
   -lcomdlg32
   -luuid
   -loleaut32
   -lole32
   

   

7. Click OK and Compile and run the project and you’ll get this output:

Program Explanation

• The initgraph function- ?Initializes the graphics system.
• In C Program execution starts with main() similarly Graphics Environment Starts with this function.
• initgraph() initializes the graphics system by loading a graphics driver from disk (or validating a registered driver) then putting the system into graphics mode