Are you a C++ developer interested in computer graphics? If so, you might want to learn how to use tiny obj loader to import 3D models into your projects. Tiny obj loader is a popular and easy-to-use library for loading OBJ files, a common file format for 3D models. Here's a quick guide on how to get started with tiny obj loader.

1. Download the Library:

The first step is to download the tiny obj loader library from its official GitHub repository. You can either clone the repository or download the source code as a zip file. Once you have the library files, add them to your C++ project.

2. Include the Header File:

In your C++ code, include the tiny_obj_loader.h header file to access the functions provided by the library. This header file contains all the necessary functions for loading OBJ files and extracting the vertex, normal, and texture coordinate data.

3. Load an OBJ File:

To load an OBJ file using tiny obj loader, you can use the LoadObj function provided by the library. Simply pass in the file path of the OBJ file you want to load, and the function will return the raw data of the 3D model, including vertices, normals, and texture coordinates.

4. Use the Loaded Data:

Once you have loaded the OBJ file, you can use the extracted data to render the 3D model in your project. You can pass the vertex, normal, and texture coordinate data to your rendering pipeline to display the model in your application.

5. Error Handling:

It's essential to handle potential errors when using tiny obj loader. Check for any error messages returned by the LoadObj function and handle them appropriately in your code. This will help ensure a smooth loading process for your 3D models.

Overall, tiny obj loader is a fantastic tool for C++ developers who work with 3D models and need a simple and efficient way to load OBJ files into their projects. By following these steps, you can easily integrate tiny obj loader into your C++ applications and start importing 3D models with ease. Happy coding!