# openglonmetal/MGL

OpenGL 4.6 on Metal

Repository: https://github.com/openglonmetal/MGL
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/mgl
Language: C++
License: Apache-2.0
License Family: permissive
Last push: 2026-01-29T01:10:27+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 61/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 64, release rhythm 35, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 1699, "days_push": 217, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: no_releases
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1003, forks 56 (observed 2026-09-03T02:15:15.804168+00:00)

## What it is
MGL is a C++ library that implements OpenGL 4.6 and OpenGL ES 3.x on top of Apple's Metal API, mapping OpenGL state and draw calls to Metal render pipelines. It includes a modified GLFW build so existing OpenGL applications can run on macOS with Metal-backed contexts.

## Use cases
- run OpenGL 4.6 applications on macOS via Metal
- port legacy OpenGL code to Apple Silicon Macs
- use OpenGL contexts with GLFW on modern macOS
- develop OpenGL games or tools on MacOS platform
- translate OpenGL shaders and draw calls to Metal

## When to choose
- you need OpenGL 4.6 or ES 3.x functionality on macOS where Apple deprecated GL
- you want a lightweight translation layer rather than a full emulator like MoltenVK-for-GL alternatives
- your app uses GLFW and you want Metal-backed contexts with minimal changes

## When to avoid
- you need full OpenGL conformance or every extension, since coverage is partial and tests are functional rather than exhaustive
- you target platforms other than macOS
- you need guaranteed production stability for mission-critical software

## Facets
- artifact type: library
- maturity: active
- function: graphics, game-engine
- domain: graphics, apple-ecosystem, cross-platform
- platform: cpp
- tags: opengl, metal, graphics-translation-layer, glfw, shaders, compatibility-layer, macos

## Member repositories
- openglonmetal/MGL (main) score 61

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-09-03T02:15:15.804168+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T07:16:07.982774+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/openglonmetal/MGL (fetched 2026-09-03T02:15:15.804168+00:00, sha bfd2e8d7ec02)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.