Professional WebGL Programming: Developing 3D Graphics for the Web

by Andreas Anyuru

Everything you need to know to develop web games and applications with superb hardware-accelerated 3D graphics

Ready to develop web games and applications with the same high-quality, real-time 3D graphics featured in the most popular native apps? Professional WebGL Programming shows you how, getting you up and running in no time with the knowledge and skills you need to create stunning, graphically sophisticated games and web apps that run on most web browsers. Featuring clear, step-by-step guidance, expert tips and skill-building exercises, supplemented with detailed, hands-on development examples, it covers all the bases,

WebGL basics

WebGL versus other graphics technologies

Relevant linear algebra

Troubleshooting and debugging techniques

Drawing with the WebGL API

Compact JavaScript Libraries and 3D Transformations

Writing vertex shaders and fragment shaders

Texturing and lighting

Animation and user input

OpenGL ES Shading Language

WebGL performance optimisation

From WebGL basics to building stunning 3D graphics and animations from the ground up, Professional WebGL Programming is your total guide to taking full advantage of this powerful web development technology.

Genres: Programming, Science, Web

333 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few online tutorials on WebGL and also have some 3D graphics background from reading OpenGL programming books, but this was the first book I read about WebGL.

I think the topics that are covered in this book are covered really carefully and explained in a way so you really understand them. I guess it depends a bit what kind of person you are, but I really like to understand the details behind to get a deep understanding of technical topics.

I think the book was well written and I can really recommend it if you want to learn WebGL.

[John Johnsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had some HTML, JavaScript and CSS background when I read this book. I had also done some basic OpenGL programming by following simple examples on the internet.

I think this book is really well written. It explains 3D concepts and WebGL really thorough, which is great. It gave me a deeper understanding of several topics I thought I already new.

Recommended if you really want to learn 3D graphics and WebGL!

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good introduction, but there were many times while reading that I hoped for further explanation of a concept, topic, or equation. An API reference, even as an appendix, would have been really helpful. Overall, the book felt rushed in places (which it probably was, so that it could be the first book devoted entirely to WebGL to hit the shelves).

[Greg Tatum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good overview on the basics of WebGL. The math and API is complicated enough, so it stuck to basic examples, but I feel like I have a good foundational knowledge. It was also a good refresher on 3d math after reading the Game Engine architecture book.

[Phichet Kanay]

good

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but good introduction to both computer graphics and WebGL. If you need a deeper understanding, you should try a bigger book though.