Member Avatar for MattyRobot

i have spent some time trying to install glut in code blocks and so far I haven't succeeded. i have downloaded the glut-3.7.6-bin from here . I have looked at tutorials on where to put the files in the download (like here) but it doesn't work. :icon_question::icon_question::icon_question:

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Quick, practical checklist that fixes the usual Code::Blocks + GLUT headaches (short version — full steps below). and were on the right track: for MinGW you need MinGW‑compatible import libraries (or to build the source yourself). The easiest, most reliable path is to use a MinGW build of freeglut (a maintained, drop‑in replacement for old GLUT) and install its headers, import libs and DLLs. (freeglut.sourceforge.net)

Install steps (Windows + MinGW / Code::Blocks)

  • Download a MinGW build of freeglut.
  • Place the headers under your MinGW include path (e.g. C:\MinGW\include\GL) or add the package include folder to Project → Build options → Search directories → Compiler.
  • Put the import library (.a / libfreeglut.a) into MinGW\lib (or add the package lib folder to Search directories → Linker).
  • Copy the matching DLL into the same folder as your executable (or to the appropriate system folder — System32 vs SysWOW64 depending on bitness).
  • Build/link with the freeglut and OpenGL libs.

Example command-line (shows needed flags):

g++ main.cpp -I"C:\path\to\freeglut\include" -L"C:\path\to\freeglut\lib" -lfreeglut -lglu32 -lopengl32 -o app.exe

TransmissionZero’s MinGW guide covers these steps and the static vs dynamic linking differences in detail. (transmissionzero.co.uk)

Code::Blocks specifics and linker order

  • Confirm the IDE is using the MinGW toolchain (Settings → Compiler → Toolchain executables).
  • Project → Build options → Search directories: add include (Compiler) and lib (Linker) paths.
  • Project → Build options → Linker settings: add libraries by name (for freeglut: freeglut, then glu32, then opengl32). Pay attention to ordering and to using MinGW .a files rather than MSVC .lib files. If you see many “undefined reference” errors, the linker order or wrong-format libs are the usual cause. (codeblocks.org)

Troubleshooting & alternatives

  • Enable verbose build output to inspect the exact linker command and the first undefined symbol.
  • Never mix 32-bit and 64-bit DLLs/import-libs.
  • If only a MSVC .lib is available, either obtain a MinGW package or create an import library with dlltool (advanced); grabbing a prebuilt MinGW freeglut package is faster. For new projects consider GLFW or SDL instead of legacy GLUT. (transmissionzero.co.uk)

Notes tied to the thread: this avoids needing to build the source yourself (the root of ’s trouble) and follows the practical setup that Code::Blocks’ build options expect.

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Member Avatar for mrnutty

What would google do? It would oggle
 the google baby.

Edited by mrnutty because: n/a
Member Avatar for MattyRobot

yes I followed that tutorial, but it doesn't work. when I try to compile anything I get errors like [glut function name] wasn't declared in this scope and unused variable [glut function name]. In that tutorial it talks about putting a .a file somewhere, but there wasnt a .a file in the download?

Member Avatar for Nick Evan

Did you download the bin or the src? The src needs building before you can use it.

Member Avatar for MattyRobot

oh. no i didnt. i just downloaded the glut-3.7.6-bin. so i download the source then...

Member Avatar for Sky Diploma

Yes, the source files contain the c++ source where as the BIN files contain the actual executable or some times the "Disk Images". So no-wonder you get those errors as they arent even declared anywhere.

Member Avatar for MattyRobot

I have downloaded the source but I don't know what to do now, if I make a new glut project and select the source folder and it says its invalid, what do I do now?

Member Avatar for Mallot

try getting SDL and installing openGL to that.

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