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QWT Build Instructions

Tip

You don't have to build QWT as a dynamic library. Simply add QwtPlot.h and QwtPlot.cpp (located in the src-amalgamate directory) to your project.

This article explains in detail how to build QWT as a dynamic library. If you are not familiar with C++ build systems, you can simply add QwtPlot.h and QwtPlot.cpp to your project to use it.

CMake Build Instructions

Build Options

Build Option Default Description
QWT_CONFIG_QWTPLOT ON Enable QwtPlot-related classes, which are the core components required for using QwtPlot
QWT_CONFIG_QWTPOLAR ON Enable QwtPolar classes for polar coordinate plots. Note: this option depends on QWT_CONFIG_QWTPLOT
QWT_CONFIG_QWTWIDGETS ON Enable widget classes other than QwtPlot (such as sliders, dials, etc.)
QWT_CONFIG_QWTSVG ON Enable SVG image display and export functionality, allowing SVG images on charts or exporting charts as SVG documents
QWT_CONFIG_QWTOPENGL ON Enable OpenGL canvas support, allowing charts to be rendered using OpenGL
QWT_CONFIG_QWTPLOT_3D ON Enable QwtPlot3D, allowing 3D chart support
QWT_CONFIG_BUILD_EXAMPLE ON Build example programs
QWT_CONFIG_BUILD_PLAYGROUND ON Build experimental code
QWT_CONFIG_BUILD_STATIC_EXAMPLE ON Build statically linked examples. Note: building static examples may require a relatively long compilation time
QWT_CONFIG_BUILD_TESTS OFF Build test programs

Tip

Starting from QWT 7.1, the QwtPlot3D code has been integrated to provide unified 2D and 3D chart support. The QwtPlot3D code originates from https://github.com/SciDAVis/qwtplot3d.

Basic Build Steps

  1. Make sure Qt 5.12 or a later version is installed.
  2. Install the CMake tool and confirm its path (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\cmake3.27.9\bin\cmake.exe).
  3. Confirm your Qt version path and compiler. Taking Qt 5.14.2 MSVC 2017 as an example.
  4. Locate the folder containing Qt5Config.cmake under your Qt installation path (e.g., C:\Qt\Qt5.14.2\5.14.2\msvc2017_64\lib\cmake\Qt5).

  5. Open a command line, navigate to the qwt directory, and run the following command:

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    cmake -B build -S . -G "Visual Studio 15 2017" -A x64 -DQt5_DIR="C:\Qt\Qt5.14.2\5.14.2\msvc2017_64\lib\cmake\Qt5"

    Tip

    If cmake.exe is not in your PATH, you need to specify the full program path in the command above. For example, if CMake is installed at C:\Program Files (x86)\cmake3.27.9\bin\cmake.exe, the command should be written as:

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    "C:\Program Files (x86)\cmake3.27.9\bin\cmake.exe" -B build -S . -G "Visual Studio 15 2017" -A x64 -DQt5_DIR="C:\Qt\Qt5.14.2\5.14.2\msvc2017_64\lib\cmake\Qt5"

  6. After completion, you can run the install command to install the library to a specified directory:

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cmake --build build --target install --config Debug
cmake --build build --target install --config Release

Tip

If you are not familiar with the CMake command line, you can use tools such as Qt Creator or Visual Studio to build the project.

Quick Build with build.ps1 (Windows)

On Windows, the build.ps1 script automates Qt, Visual Studio, and CMake detection:

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.\build.ps1                          # Full build (Release)
.\build.ps1 build                    # Incremental build
.\build.ps1 rebuild                  # Clean + reconfigure + build
.\build.ps1 configure -Examples OFF -Playground OFF  # Library only

Available parameters: -Examples, -Playground, -Tests, -OpenGL, -Plot3D (all accept ON/OFF).

Using Qt 6

For Qt 6, use CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH and select the appropriate compiler:

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cmake -B build -S . -G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64 -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="C:/Qt/6.7.3/msvc2019_64"
cmake --build build --config Release

Ninja Generator

If you prefer Ninja, initialize the MSVC environment first (INCLUDE, LIB, PATH):

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cmake -B build -S . -G Ninja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="C:/Qt/6.7.3/msvc2019_64"
cmake --build build

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
CMake cannot find Qt Set -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH or -DQt5_DIR / -DQt6_DIR to the correct path
Wrong Qt version detected Delete build/CMakeCache.txt and build/CMakeFiles/, then reconfigure
MSVC environment not initialized Use build.ps1 or run from a "Developer Command Prompt for VS"
Ninja build fails with cl.exe not found Run vcvars64.bat before invoking CMake