Custom Framework

A custom immediate-mode C++ UI framework for Windows. You include one header, call run, and draw widgets every frame.

Graphics

Pick a backend at startup or switch at runtime. Auto tries them in this order:

Backend	API	Notes
Direct3D 11	D3D11 + DXGI	Default path. Works on Windows 10 and 11.
Direct3D 12	D3D12 + DXGI	Same UI, newer device stack.
OpenGL	WGL / desktop OpenGL	Fallback when you want GL.
Vulkan	Optional	Off unless you build with -DUR_VULKAN=ON and have the Vulkan SDK.

The window, DPI, swapchain, and input are Win32. The same widget tree runs on every backend. Glyphs, player art, and fullscreen effects rebind when you change host.

What you get

• Immediate-mode widgets: buttons, sliders, fields, tables, tabs, menus, plots
• Floating frames that drag, resize, collapse, and hug their content
• Docking, command palette, toasts, themes
• Optional desk modules: now playing, system / mic audio, analog clock, 3D orbit, Discord presence, click-through overlay

Widgets, Frames, and Layout are the full API. ur::ui is the short path. Widget IDs use ## — "OK##save" stays unique, "Desk###face" shows only Desk.

Build

Windows 10 SDK, MSVC, CMake 3.20, Ninja.

cmake --preset windows-release
cmake --build --preset windows-release

Output	What it is
build/windows-release/Hello.exe	Twenty-line start
build/windows-release/Showcase.exe	Full desk

Keep assets/ next to the exe, or run from this directory.

-DUR_VULKAN=ON

turns on the Vulkan backend.

Hello

#include "ur/ur.hpp"

int WINAPI WinMain( HINSTANCE, HINSTANCE, LPSTR, int ) {
    ur::app::Config Config;
    Config.title = "My tool";
    Config.backend = ur::Backend::DX11;
    return ur::app::run( Config, [ ] {
        if ( ur::ui::window Window( "Hello" ); Window ) {
            ur::ui::label( "Direct3D 11, Direct3D 12, or OpenGL." );
            if ( ur::ui::button( "Quit" ) )
                ur::app::quit( );
        }
    } );
}

ur::Backend::DX11, DX12, OpenGL, Vulkan, or Auto.

Tree

include/ur          public headers
src/app             window, settings, theme
src/engine          widgets, layout, backends
src/host            D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan hosts
src/ui              toast, palette, motion
src/widgets         player, orbit, desk
src/audio           hear
demos/hello         short start
demos/showcase      full desk

Start covers widgets, IDs, themes, and the desk modules. Build is the compile notes.

Optional

Copy .env.example next to the exe:

UR_DISCORD_APP_ID=
UR_SPOTIFY_CLIENT_ID=

Now playing uses the Windows media session. Discord stays off until you set an app id. Hear can follow PC output, the microphone, or both.