[pygame] Python threads, pygame, and pyopengl

[Zack Schilling <zack.schilling@xxxxxxxxx>]

I want to dynamically load levels for my game in python. I use OpenGL  
for drawing, mostly display lists. I want to spawn a low-priority  
thread that can create a new level object and activate its load  
method. The load method takes up to 5 seconds to run. It is loading  
images with pygame, splitting them up, generating large numpy arrays,  
binding textures, and building display lists. I know that if I simply  
create a thread and tell it to go without any modification, the OpenGL  
calls building the display lists in the loading thread will overlap  
with normal display code and cause strange, flickery drawing (not to  
mention ruining the level being loaded).

What's the best option here? Can a thread lock block the main  
program's execution? Because that's where the drawing code is. Is  
there a way to set up PyOpenGL so that OpenGL knows to separate the  
two different voices talking to it (but still throw everything into  
the same context)?

This game is a fun project for me, but I also expect to plow my way  
though some advanced programming techniques, so don't hold back  
suggestions for the sake of complexity.

Thanks,

Zack