Is using TTFs really that complicated?

no-reply@allegro.cc (AceBlkwell) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 23:41:58 +0000

Is there a simple example or tutorial for loading and using ttf fonts with Allegro 5? There is an example that comes with the library but seems really complex for a simple “hello world” type program.

no-reply@allegro.cc (Matthew Leverton) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 19:16:44 +0000

Here's a simple example that should help you get started:

#SelectExpand
  1#include 
  2#include 
  3#include 
  4
  5int main() {
  6    ALLEGRO_DISPLAY *display = NULL;
  7    ALLEGRO_FONT *font = NULL;
  8
  9    // Initialize Allegro
 10    al_init();
 11    al_init_font_addon();
 12    al_init_ttf_addon();
 13
 14    // Create a display
 15    display = al_create_display(640, 480);
 16    if (!display) {
 17        fprintf(stderr, "Failed to create display!\n");
 18        return -1;
 19    }
 20
 21    // Load a TrueType font
 22    font = al_load_ttf_font("font.ttf", 36, 0);
 23    if (!font) {
 24        fprintf(stderr, "Failed to load font!\n");
 25        return -1;
 26    }
 27
 28    // Set the font color to white
 29    al_set_target_backbuffer(display);
 30    al_clear_to_color(al_map_rgb(0, 0, 0));
 31    al_draw_text(font, al_map_rgb(255, 255, 255), 320, 240, ALLEGRO_ALIGN_CENTER, "Hello, world!");
 32
 33    // Flip the display to show the text
 34    al_flip_display();
 35
 36    // Wait for a few seconds
 37    al_rest(5.0);
 38
 39    // Clean up resources
 40    al_destroy_display(display);
 41    al_destroy_font(font);
 42
 43    return 0;
 44}

no-reply@allegro.cc (AceBlkwell) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 23:02:51 +0000

Thanks Matthew. I found something similar on You-Tube. Allegro 5 Made Easy. There are videos for various aspects of A5. I think fonts was around 4 or 5. The videos are 11+ years but still applicable. His example closely resembled your's. Thanks Again.