Creative Coding Frameworks You Should Know About
Creative Coding gives you a different angle compared to that boring accounting and database management programs. It’s cool seeing your code flowing on the computer /tablets/mobile screens. Playing with audio, videos, and images is the best bet played by creative coding.
Choosing a framework will be as per your needs or expertise. Processing is good for entry-level creative coders. You can use a simple processing interface for coding your sketches and at the same time Java. openFrameworks or Cinder is a C++-based framework and may require a good amount of relative knowledge.
Why frameworks and not just programming languages?
One reason for going with frameworks instead of the core language is the time saving and focus on the business goals. The business goal is in the sense of focusing on your problem instead of wasting the time on setup and whatnot.
Without further ado let’s get started with this amazing list of creative coding frameworks.
- openFrameworks
- openrndr
- Processing
- Cinder
1. openFrameworks
openFrameworks is also an open-source C++ toolkit for creative coding. It is developed by trio Zachary Lieberman, Theo Watson, and Arturo Castro. It’s written in C++ and built on top of OpenGL. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform application programming interface for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
OpenGL is an essential thing for 2D as well as 3D graphics programming and games. The openFrameworks supports all major operating systems including, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Emscripten (Web).
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2. openrndr
Kotlin-based creative coding framework everyone should try to enjoy the awesomeness of programming. OPENRNDR is an open-source framework for creative coding, written in Kotlin that simplifies writing real-time interactive software.
3. Processing
Processing language is a useful programming language based on Java programming language. Yet there are multiple alternatives available to Processing language with more or less functionality. In this list, we’ll see the useful alternatives to processing language you can switch or prefer if needed.
Processing is a fantastic framework, with no complaints. Yet, other amazing tools are available for brainstorming with creative coding. By the way, we’ve built an amazing generative art app for Android with processing named “Artisan”. This app has a large set of brushes and readymade styles for creating amazing generative art and patterns with less effort. We have a plan to improve the app continuously with amazing features and cool styles.
The app permits you to print or publish the generative piece anywhere you wish. Don’t forget to give it a try and please give your reviews and ratings on Play Store. The app is an amazing case study of what can be done with Processing language.
Each framework provides useful functionality. Processing language provides a simple IDE for easy startup. openFrameworks or other frameworks have a different way of coding. But, the ultimate goal is to do amazing creative coding. One benefit we found about processing is that you integrate processing language sketch inside your Android application. But the same can be done with other frameworks as well (with more or less difficulty.)
4. Cinder
Cinder is a free and open-source library for professional-quality creative coding in C++. Programming is fun when used effectively. Creative coding is far from traditional boarding push and pops. Though the push and pops (data structures, algorithms everywhere), if you’re doing creative coding it doesn’t matter.
Because the results you get on the screen pay back everything. So, don’t get bored starring at the black and white or any type of screen do creative coding with Cinder. This is an amazing open-source framework written in C++ for professional-level creative coding.
