[PyOpenGL-Users] Using both PyOpenGL and C to drive OpenGL

[Lorcan H. <lh-...@lo...>]

Hi folks,

(Just discovered this list, so sorry if this is an FAQ - there
doesn't seem to be a list archive, or I'd have searched it.)

I'm working on a new fork of TuxRacer (based on the last
GPL'd release, at http://tuxracer.sourceforge.net/), and
I'm think of replacing the UI code with Python, using PyOpenGL.
The main game engine, which is written in C, would remain
intact, as far as possible.  Could that be done?  How? :)

I'm thinking along these lines:

  A top-level Python script initialises OpenGL, loads
  the textures using pygame.image, draws the splash screen,
  menus, etc. using PyOpenGL, handling input with pygame.

  The script creates an instance of a new GameEngine class
  that I would implement in C, and invokes methods on that
  object to set up the course.

  When the game is ready to go, the Python script would
  invoke GameEngineObject.run().  At that point, the C
  code in the extension module would take over - using
  the OpenGL API to refresh the screen, and SDL for
  keyboard and/or joystick input.

Is that approach feasible?  Can both PyOpenGL and
a custom C extension module share the use of OpenGL
like that?  They'd take turns, obviously, so that
the Python script would not invoke any OpenGL functions
until after GameEngineObject.run() had returned.
The screen would be repainted completely (and the OpenGL
context could be reset) between the two different modes
of operation, but it shouldn't change resoltion, or flicker,
or anything like that.

Has anyone done anything like this?  A working example
would be *really* useful...

I'd also have the problem of making the C extension and
pygame take turns in handling input events, but I guess
that's off-topic for this list. :)

Thanks in advance, for any helpful replies.  And thanks
for PyOpenGL!

Lorcan Hamill