Show HN: Full Python GUI apps in the browser – no JavaScript, no server (github.com)

29 points by pstomi 2mo ago ↗ HN

I have been working on Dear ImGui Bundle since 2022, but it is the first time I talk about it here. It is a framework around Dear ImGui for building interactive applications in Python and C++. It comes with batteries included: Plotting, image inspection, Markdown, node editors, 3D gizmos, knobs, toggles, etc.

https://imgui-bundle.pages.dev

It now also runs smoothly in the browser via pyodide: The playground below is a python app running in your browser (no server, no JavaScript). You can edit the code on the left and click Run. It even works on mobile.

https://imgui-bundle.pages.dev/playground

I have a strong interest in providing tools that help others express their creativity. This project aims to be a step in this direction as it helps develop GUIs where the code is extremely readable & hackable.

Some of the goals it addresses:

- Bring true Immediate Mode GUI to Python and C++

- A versatile range of high quality libraries: Widgets, Plots, Image Analysis, Node edition, markdown rendering

- Multiplatform apps in C++: works on all platform in C++ (desktop, mobile, emscripten)

- Deploy python apps to the web

- High quality python bindings that are always up-to-date (because they are auto-generated)

- Smooth transition between C++ and Python (same APIs for both)

I'd be happy to answer questions!

8 comments

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[deleted] 2mo ago ↗

(comment deleted)

gloflo 2mo ago ↗

If no JavaScript then what enables interactivity?

2ndorderthought 2mo ago ↗

Is this downloading and installing Python packages into the browser via wasm?

I like the idea a little bit. Mostly because I don't like javascript. So I say keep going for it, it could fill some niches.

I'm sure you know this, but the page takes like 30s to load on mobile. It wasn't a comfortable ux. Once it did load it seemed pretty fast though so kudos. Kind of gave me macromedia flash vibes from 2002.

austin-cheney 2mo ago ↗

I agree with the other comments. Its super cool after it eventually loads.

For real world use I don't think its practical if its only goal is basic browser UX in Python versus JavaScript, but I can see amazing value in this for larger applications written in Python that need to make use of a Python GUI.

0gs 2mo ago ↗

just curious -- do yall dislike JS as developers, or as users? i agree this is really cool though

CyLith 2mo ago ↗

This is really neat, and I think I can use it in some of my projects as a simple front end to physical simulation tools. One question I have: do you have true 3D bindings? I see there is ImPlot3D, but right now I need to render meshes in OpenGL (or WebGL as the case will be). Is there a way for me to define shaders and feed it triangle soup?

pstomi 2mo ago ↗

Thanks!

Yes I do have access to webgl. I added some examples to explain this:

For example look at:

https://imgui-bundle.pages.dev/playground/?demo=webgl_textur...

There are two more examples: look at the WebGL examples in the combo-box at the top-right of the page.

Enjoy! If you end up using it, please try to keep me informed :-)

TrnsltLife 2mo ago ↗

Cool! Now someone should do something like this for Java!