Open Gl Reference Manual 3Ed

by Shreiner

The OpenGL Programming Guide , now in its third edition, is the definitive volume for programmers using this evolving graphics interface standard. Written by members of the OpenGL Architecture Review Board, this book offers understandable tutorials and lessons on getting up to speed and getting the most out of the latest version of OpenGL, version 1.2. The guide uses code examples in C and is targeted at programmers who have experience in coding yet are new to coding for OpenGL applications. The opening chapters go into descriptive detail of how OpenGL, the software interface for hardware 3-D chipsets, works and what you can expect from it, which turns out to be much more than you might have thought. Color plates are used, for example, to show how OpenGL handles such effects as motion blur and depth-of-field blur, in addition to shadows and texture mapping. This is not a beginner's guide to programming computer graphics. Some previous knowledge of both programming in general and computer graphics in particular is required. For example, code snippets are used to describe how to implement these effects, but because OpenGL is platform-independent, some code examples may need to be modified when used with your specific compiler. Filled with the expertise of those who standardized OpenGL, there is no better reference volume for learning and understanding this system. The examples cited are clear, commented, and explained. The only drawback to the book is that it lacks a companion CD-ROM--all examples must be either typed in or downloaded from an Internet FTP site. (The URL is listed in the preface.) --Mike Caputo

Genres: Programming, Reference, Computer Science, Nonfiction, Software, Technology, Computers

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before there was Dreamworks, there was OpenGL. and THIS is the OpenGL Bible. A Must read! :)

[Xianshun Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book I read when developing SimFI in OpenGL and SDL

[Mohammed El-afifi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is just as its title implies, a programming guide. It acts more as a reference than as a learning material. It's suitable more for someone who's already familiar with openGL API and just wants to check a couple of details about a certain feature or aspect, or someone making a come back to refresh his/her knowledge. It doesn't help however for prospective newbies aspiring to pick up basic principles of openGL and how to start using it in their application.

The book mostly focuses on API's that have been deprecated. This's evident in the many function descriptions in every chapter marked by compatibility extension notes. It isn't very helpful for the reader to learn about deprecated API. Even the most important and relevant part to contemporary implementations, GLSL and shaders, come at the very last chapter.

[Frank]

Useful information but other projects took precedence.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good desk reference for OpenGL programming.

[Librivore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, but rather out of date nowadays.

[Lirinis · Rating 3 out of 5]

depricated

[Fatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Use it as a reference. Don't expect to understand how OpenGL works by reading this book.