Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About SFML

• What is SFML?
• On which platforms is SFML currently available?
• Does SFML run in the browser?
• Does SFML support Wayland?
• Which programming languages are supported by SFML?
• What version of SFML should I use?
• Will/does SFML support 3D?
• I want to propose a new feature!
• Is using SFML a good way to learn to program (in C++)?

Getting and Using SFML

• What do I need to use SFML 3?
• What's the easiest way to start a new SFML project?
• Can I install SFML with a package manager?
• How do I build SFML?
• Are there any "nightly builds"?
• How do I setup my development environment to work with SFML?
• What dependencies does SFML have?
• What and how do I link to use SFML?
• How do I link SFML statically?
• Is there a complete list with all the changes from SFML 2.x to SFML 3.0?

Troubleshooting

• Build and Link Errors

  • I'm having trouble using SFML
  • I keep getting "undefined reference to " errors!
  • The prebuilt libraries don't work with my compiler
  • My application can't find the SFML DLLs
  • How do I make my IDE output verbose build information?
  • Why do I get errors when mixing 32-bit and 64-bit libraries?
  • My project crashes randomly, but I don't get any compiler or linker errors
  • Why does a console attach itself to my project?
  • SFML requires a newer CMake version than my OS provides!
  • (Debian) I can't compile the source code

• Runtime Problems

  • My files can't be found when I run my application
  • Why do I get a white/black rectangle instead of my texture?
  • Why isn't my text showing up?
  • Why can't I hear any sound?
  • RenderTextures don't work on my computer!
  • My computer crashes when I run my SFML program!

Graphics and Performance

• What image formats does SFML support?
• What is the difference between sf::Image and sf::Texture?
• What is the difference between LocalBounds and GlobalBounds?
• My FPS count drops when drawing a lot of sprites
• Should I use one sprite or x sprites to draw x textures?
• My FPS is very low when running my application
• Should I use VSync, window.setFramerateLimit or something else?
• Why doesn't setFramerateLimit() always set the frame rate to the specified limit?
• Why doesn't sf::sleep sleep for the amount of time I want it to?
• My animations/movements aren't smooth or exhibit stuttering!

Window

• How do I make my window transparent?
• Can I use OpenGL together with SFML?
• Can I draw from another thread?
• How does SFML handle high DPI displays?

Audio

• What audio formats does SFML support?

Networking

• How do I create ?
• Should I use TCP or UDP sockets?
• Should I use blocking or non-blocking sockets? And how do selectors work?
• I can't connect to the other computer over the internet!
• Does SFML support HTTPS and SFTP?

System

• Does SFML support Unicode?
• How do I convert from sf::String to and vice-versa?
• My program keeps crashing when I use threads!

Programming in General

• What is RAII and why does it rock?
• Why shouldn't I manually manage my memory?
• What are smart pointers?
• Why shouldn't I use global variables?
• What should I use then instead of global variables?
• Why is the singleton pattern not a good one?

Getting Help

• Where can I ask questions?
• I found a bug!
• What is a minimal code?
• And how can I easily obtain this minimal code?

Licensing

• What license does SFML have?
• Can I use SFML in commercial applications?
• Can I link SFML statically?
• Can I use the code from the example directory?
• Do I have to pay any license fees or royalties?

Libraries for SFML (Community FAQ)

Miscellaneous (Community FAQ)