As you can see here I'm about to start work on a 3d project for class.
Do you have any useful resources/websites/tips/etc. on someone getting started with OpenGL for the first time? The project will be in C++ and accessing OpenGL via GLUT. Thanks!
+2
A:
The OpenGL "Red Book" is the best place to start learning. The OpenGL "Blue Book" is documentation for the OpenGL API.
There are many online resources for opengl, and glprogramming.com is one of them. Check out the links section.
luke
2008-10-27 13:47:46
+8
A:
The NeHe tutorials will get you going but as luke points out they don't really cover much background of why.
Although it is WPF rather than opengl (do you have to use opengl?) Petzolds book on 3d graphics with wpf does a very good job of introducing 3d graphics and some of the maths behind it.
Martin Beckett
2008-10-27 13:48:51
I may be in the minority, but I dislike NeHe's tutorials. Like many, that's where I started, but there are many *many* better resources. The learning curve with graphics APIs is steep, and NeHe offers very little insight to the whys and wherefores.
luke
2008-10-27 14:46:31
Please post any other suggestions here, or edit my post - that's exactly what SO is for.
Martin Beckett
2008-10-27 15:23:05
+2
A:
This is the best web page(for me) to learn OpenGL http://nehe.gamedev.net/.
And this is the official book http://www.amazon.com/OpenGL-Programming-Guide-Official-Learning/dp/0321335732
Agusti-N
2008-10-27 13:49:19
+7
A:
Beginning OpenGL Game Programming is a very good introduction, even if you don't care about games. The official Programming Guide and Reference Manual are a must too. Might as well pick up a general book on computer graphics.
There are plenty of online resources, but I really think you should go for books, even if it was the freely available old versions of the official books. NeHe's site has some interesting code samples but I don't think it's a good resource to start learning, as it glosses over many details and follows a quick and dirty approach to get things running.
Firas Assaad
2008-10-27 13:55:18
+1 Thank you for recommending Beginning OpenGL Game Programming. I got it and its excellent.
01010011
2010-07-08 13:26:53
+1
A:
check glut: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenGL_Utility_Toolkit http://www.lighthouse3d.com/opengl/glut/index.php?1
plan9assembler
2008-10-27 14:16:51
I agree, that was my first GL book and it was much more approachable than the Red and Blue books.
Kena
2008-12-23 20:44:13
+1
A:
Processing has also open gl support, it's an easy way to get started.. If you don't like the editor, which comes with processing, you can also use it with a Java IDE, such as Eclipse or Intellij.
Nils
2008-12-08 17:24:10
A:
If you are serious about learning OpenGL you should check out the OpenGL Bootcamp at Big Nerd Ranch. The instructor has written several award winning games, including the "Big Bang Board Games" published by Freeverse software.
Mark Thalman
2008-12-23 20:22:08
A:
OpenGL is extremely easy to start with, especially if you're using a toolkit like GLUT or SDL. Starting from man glVertex and man glDrawElements will get you started (look at the references at the bottom for other functions). If you're on a windows system typing those commands into google yields the same results.
Further down the road, it's probably a good idea to check out the extensions repository. I would advise against books in this case because the (more exact) specifications are published online making that the most accurate and up-to-date resource.
Jasper Bekkers
2008-12-23 20:40:42
A:
I agree with jwfearn above. OpenGL SuperBible is the most readable, interesting, and understandable book for OpenGL to me. Give it a try.
Xavier Ho
2010-04-20 11:21:29