Learn OGRE3D with Real Code Examples

Updated Nov 24, 2025

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Code Sample Descriptions

Ogre3D Minimal Scene Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Window");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0, 0, 80));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    camera->setNearClipDistance(5);

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    vp->setBackgroundColour(ColourValue(0,0,0));

    Entity* ogreEntity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(ogreEntity);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

A minimal Ogre3D C++ example initializing a scene and rendering a single entity.

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Ogre3D Skybox Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Skybox");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    sceneMgr->setSkyBox(true, "Examples/CloudyNoonSkyBox");

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    vp->setBackgroundColour(ColourValue(0.5f,0.5f,0.5f));

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Sets a skybox in the Ogre3D scene.

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Ogre3D Light Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Light");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,150));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    vp->setBackgroundColour(ColourValue(0,0,0));

    Light* light = sceneMgr->createLight("MainLight");
    light->setType(Light::LT_POINT);
    light->setPosition(Vector3(0,150,250));

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Adds a point light to the scene.

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Ogre3D Animating Entity Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Animation");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("robot.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(entity);

    AnimationState* animState = entity->getAnimationState("Walk");
    animState->setEnabled(true);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,100,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    while(true) {
        animState->addTime(0.01f);
        root->renderOneFrame();
    }

    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Animates an entity using an Ogre3D animation state.

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Ogre3D Terrain Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Terrain");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    sceneMgr->setAmbientLight(ColourValue(0.5f,0.5f,0.5f));

    TerrainGroup* terrainGroup = new TerrainGroup(sceneMgr, Terrain::ALIGN_X_Z, 513, 1200.0f);
    terrainGroup->loadAllTerrains(true);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,150,300));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Creates a basic terrain in Ogre3D.

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Ogre3D Particle System Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Particles");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Entity* ogreEntity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(ogreEntity);

    ParticleSystem* ps = sceneMgr->createParticleSystem("Smoke", "Examples/Smoke");
    node->attachObject(ps);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Adds a particle system to the scene.

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Ogre3D Shadow Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Shadows");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    sceneMgr->setShadowTechnique(SHADOWTYPE_STENCIL_MODULATIVE);

    Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(entity);

    Light* light = sceneMgr->createLight("MainLight");
    light->setType(Light::LT_DIRECTIONAL);
    light->setDirection(Vector3(-1,-1,0));

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Enables basic shadows for a scene entity.

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Ogre3D Camera Orbit Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Orbit");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(entity);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    float angle = 0.0f;
    while(true) {
        angle += 0.01f;
        camera->setPosition(Vector3(200*std::cos(angle),50,200*std::sin(angle)));
        camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
        root->renderOneFrame();
    }

    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Orbits the camera around an entity.

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Ogre3D Multiple Entities Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Multiple Entities");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    for(int i=0;i<5;i++) {
        Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
        SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode(Vector3(i*50,0,0));
        node->attachObject(entity);
    }

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Adds multiple entities to the scene.

Let’s Try →

Code Sample Descriptions

Ogre3D Minimal Scene Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Window");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0, 0, 80));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    camera->setNearClipDistance(5);

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    vp->setBackgroundColour(ColourValue(0,0,0));

    Entity* ogreEntity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(ogreEntity);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

A minimal Ogre3D C++ example initializing a scene and rendering a single entity.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Skybox Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Skybox");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    sceneMgr->setSkyBox(true, "Examples/CloudyNoonSkyBox");

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    vp->setBackgroundColour(ColourValue(0.5f,0.5f,0.5f));

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Sets a skybox in the Ogre3D scene.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Light Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Light");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,150));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    vp->setBackgroundColour(ColourValue(0,0,0));

    Light* light = sceneMgr->createLight("MainLight");
    light->setType(Light::LT_POINT);
    light->setPosition(Vector3(0,150,250));

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Adds a point light to the scene.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Animating Entity Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Animation");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("robot.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(entity);

    AnimationState* animState = entity->getAnimationState("Walk");
    animState->setEnabled(true);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,100,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    while(true) {
        animState->addTime(0.01f);
        root->renderOneFrame();
    }

    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Animates an entity using an Ogre3D animation state.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Terrain Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Terrain");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    sceneMgr->setAmbientLight(ColourValue(0.5f,0.5f,0.5f));

    TerrainGroup* terrainGroup = new TerrainGroup(sceneMgr, Terrain::ALIGN_X_Z, 513, 1200.0f);
    terrainGroup->loadAllTerrains(true);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,150,300));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));

    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);
    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Creates a basic terrain in Ogre3D.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Particle System Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Particles");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Entity* ogreEntity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(ogreEntity);

    ParticleSystem* ps = sceneMgr->createParticleSystem("Smoke", "Examples/Smoke");
    node->attachObject(ps);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Adds a particle system to the scene.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Shadow Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Shadows");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    sceneMgr->setShadowTechnique(SHADOWTYPE_STENCIL_MODULATIVE);

    Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(entity);

    Light* light = sceneMgr->createLight("MainLight");
    light->setType(Light::LT_DIRECTIONAL);
    light->setDirection(Vector3(-1,-1,0));

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Enables basic shadows for a scene entity.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Camera Orbit Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Orbit");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
    SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode();
    node->attachObject(entity);

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    float angle = 0.0f;
    while(true) {
        angle += 0.01f;
        camera->setPosition(Vector3(200*std::cos(angle),50,200*std::sin(angle)));
        camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
        root->renderOneFrame();
    }

    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Orbits the camera around an entity.

Let’s Try →

Ogre3D Multiple Entities Example

#include <Ogre.h>
using namespace Ogre;

int main() {
    Root* root = new Root();
    root->restoreConfig();
    RenderWindow* window = root->initialise(true, "Ogre3D Multiple Entities");

    SceneManager* sceneMgr = root->createSceneManager(ST_GENERIC);
    for(int i=0;i<5;i++) {
        Entity* entity = sceneMgr->createEntity("ogrehead.mesh");
        SceneNode* node = sceneMgr->getRootSceneNode()->createChildSceneNode(Vector3(i*50,0,0));
        node->attachObject(entity);
    }

    Camera* camera = sceneMgr->createCamera("MainCam");
    camera->setPosition(Vector3(0,50,200));
    camera->lookAt(Vector3(0,0,0));
    Viewport* vp = window->addViewport(camera);

    root->startRendering();
    delete root;
    return 0;
}

Adds multiple entities to the scene.

Let’s Try →