Deborah R. Fowler
Using OpenGL in Visual Studio
with Freeglut
Posted Oct 7 2015
Update Feb 12 2017
Update June 26 2019
Update Sept 28 2025 tested in VS2022
Download for older versions should you need them for dev https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/older-downloads/
Notes about VS 2017 are included in the collapsed section below for convenience.
TIP: since VISUAL STUDIO 2017 – you must select to install C++ support. VS 2022 this is still true.
Be sure to match version of what we are using for file compatibility. Installing is easy!
NOTE: In VS2019 there is no longer a need to include "pch.h" - yeah! If you find code with "pch.h" or "stdafx.h" those are from older versions of VS that required these - no longer needed.
Using OpenGL you must do the following in Visual Studio 2022. (same procedure since 2017)
Steps are:
1. Tools/NuGet Package Manager/ Manage NuGet Packages for Solution
2. Click on Browse and search for nupengl.core (warning - do not use the nuopengl.core.redist)
3. Select it, select checkbox for project and install
NOTE: If you are using an older sample file that included references in project properties you may need to remove them from lib. No action required other than the above if this is a new project.
TIP: VISUAL
STUDIO 2015 – do not use the default install, you must select
custom to install C++ support (you can go back and add it if you
forgot – I did as I thought it would be out of the box … same is
true in VS 2022
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2015/07/24/setup-changes-in-visual-studio-2015-affecting-c-developers.aspx
NOTE: Microsoft changed their install procedures for VS 2015
sometime after October 2015 to the community versions.
- use the community version (free) https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/
If this method is used, do NOT have the lib file included in the properties. (If you are using an older file that included them you may need to remove them)
Steps are: (tested in VS2022 09/28/2025)
1. Tools/NuGet Package Manager/ Manage NuGet Packages for Solution
2. Click on Browse and search for nupengl.core (warning - do not use the nuopengl.core.redist)
3. Select it, select checkbox for project and install
ARCHIVED INFORMATION BELOW FOR non-windows 10
Please note, on Windows 7, Community
version vs_community_EDU.exe does not work, download the iso
and burn to disc (right click and select Windows Disk Image
Burner, then burn), then run off disk to install ... however
the professional version does work without iso/burn. UPDATE
JAN 7/2017 - VS 2015 Community works on Windows 7 and installs
with vs_community_EDU_758833255.1483585560.exe.
I note that since October, the default
install of both the above littered my Program Files (x86) with
files rather than neatly putting all into the Microsoft Visual
Studio XX subdirectory. UPDATE JAN 7/2017 - clean
install on Windows 7, to be tested on Windows 10.
A trial pro version for SCAD only existed but I have had license issues at home - community recommended instead (do not use the MSDN resources, use Microsoft site and download vs_professional_ENU.exe (this one does work on Windows 7 and higher).https://www.visualstudio.com/post-download-vs?sku=pro&clcid=0x409
NOTE: VS 2015 has python support:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2015/08/03/why-write-python-in-visual-studio.aspx
THESE ARE NOTES FOR VS 2010 and are archived here:
If you do not have freeglut already installed:
- Get the
freeglut-MSVC-3.0.0-2.mp.zip file from http://www.transmissionzero.co.uk/software/freeglut-devel/
- Extract the files where you will see three
folders: lib, include and bin
- We are using 32-bit Windows with Visual Studio 2010 (ie. Win32 console application). Place the files as follows:
- lib
files: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\VC\lib
- include
files: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\VC\include\GL
(copy the gl folder to the VC/include folder)
If you have freeglut already installed do the following
Inside Visual Studios 2010 go to
- Now
in
your project you can use #include
<GL/glut.h>
(You do not need to include <windows.h> or <gl/GL.h>) - Project->(your-project-name)Properties->Configuration Properties->Linker->Input and under Additional Dependencies add freeglut.lib
- If you have not upgraded 2010 from
the original download you may need to set
- Project->(your-project-name)Properties->Configuration Properties->Linker->General and under Enable Incremental Linking set it to NO
