IDE Setup Guide

Configure your IDE for HGE development.

Visual Studio Setup

Step 1: Create a Project

  1. File → New → Project
  2. Select "Windows Desktop Application" or "Empty Project"
  3. Name your project and create

Step 2: Configure Paths

Project → Properties → Configuration Properties:

C/C++ → General → Additional Include Directories:

C:\hge\include

Linker → General → Additional Library Directories:

C:\hge\lib

Linker → Input → Additional Dependencies:

hge.lib
hgehelp.lib

Step 3: Copy DLLs

Copy to your project's output directory:

  • hge.dll
  • bass.dll

Step 4: Set Entry Point

For Windows applications, use WinMain:

Linker → System → SubSystem: Windows

Dev-C++ Setup

Step 1: Create a Project

File → New → Project → Windows Application

Step 2: Configure Paths

Project → Project Options:

Directories → Include Directories:
Add path to HGE include folder

Directories → Library Directories:
Add path to HGE lib folder

Parameters → Linker:

-lhge
-lhgehelp

Step 3: Copy DLLs

Copy hge.dll and bass.dll to project folder.

Code::Blocks Setup

Step 1: Create a Project

File → New → Project → Win32 GUI project

Step 2: Configure Build Options

Project → Build options:

Search directories → Compiler:
Add HGE include path

Search directories → Linker:
Add HGE lib path

Linker settings:
Add hge and hgehelp

Minimal Test Program

Verify your setup with this code:

#include <hge.h>

HGE *hge = 0;

bool FrameFunc()
{
    if (hge->Input_GetKeyState(HGEK_ESCAPE))
        return true;
    return false;
}

int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE, HINSTANCE, LPSTR, int)
{
    hge = hgeCreate(HGE_VERSION);
    
    hge->System_SetState(HGE_FRAMEFUNC, FrameFunc);
    hge->System_SetState(HGE_WINDOWED, true);
    hge->System_SetState(HGE_SCREENWIDTH, 800);
    hge->System_SetState(HGE_SCREENHEIGHT, 600);
    hge->System_SetState(HGE_TITLE, "HGE Test");
    
    if (hge->System_Initiate())
    {
        hge->System_Start();
    }
    
    hge->System_Shutdown();
    hge->Release();
    return 0;
}

Troubleshooting

Cannot find hge.h

Check your include directory path. Verify the path contains the header files.

Unresolved external symbol

  • Verify library paths are correct
  • Check that you're linking hge.lib and hgehelp.lib
  • Ensure Debug/Release configuration matches

hge.dll not found

Copy hge.dll and bass.dll to the same folder as your executable.

Window doesn't appear

  • Check System_Initiate return value
  • Enable logging to see error messages
  • Verify DirectX is installed

See Also