Possible to embed Godot into a GUI application

def-pri-pub

I originally posted this on the issue tracker (https://github.com/godotengine/godot/issues/36022), but was redirected to post the question here:

I'm currently working on a graphical application that's built in Gtk. But I want to add in a 3D editing area and have been looking at various 3D engines. While Godot is a game engine (and it could be a little bit overkill), it came to mind since it has nice real time capabilities.

I know that given enough time anything is possible, but right now, how workable do you think this would be to embed the Godot engine inside of another (Desktop) application? I'm using Gtk right now, but I'd be interested in how it would work for Qt as well.

TwistedTwigleg

Realistically, I have no idea on how easy or hard it might be. Theoretically, if you could bypass Godot opening an OpenGL window and context automatically, and instead pass your own OpenGL window and context, then it may be possible.

I have not tried it myself though and have very little experience embedding OpenGL into a UI framework. With Godot 4.0 it may be slightly easier to embed due to a more abstract rendering backend framework, but that is mostly speculation on my part.

Edit: accidentally hit post while writing...

MANDREWS

I know this doesn't answer your question but maybe another route? Why not just use GDscript for the whole app? I've dabbled with Python and Tkinter and Godot is super awesome for busting out a quick gui prototype. I was just screwing around and made this simple GUI in Godot in around a half hour. It would have taken me way longer in Tkinter /Python lol. http://www.magwebdesigns.net/masonic_cypher/Masonic%20Cipher.html