Still got so much to learn when it comes to opengl but i was trying to get my head around how id add a blur to my game. Im after that sorta blur that is normally around the edges of a flame for example not sure what they call it. Having real difficulty understanding how to do it with what i know currently so simpler the method the better :D. I want to distort the image slightly not alot and in random places a bit like that effect you get in quake when you go under water. Just after a nice simple starting point. One idea i did have but i dont know how to implement this, 1. Id some how copy everything that is currently being displayed into a texture 2. Have an alpha map with the parts of the screen i want blurred 3. blur the texture 4. combine my new blurred texture with my alpha map 5. draw a giant quad over the screen with the new texture Its something id love to know how to do but quite simply dont have a clue at the moment. thx alot for any help.

forgive my stupidity but i dont even know what they are..

Whats the best starting place for getting into those two ?

cheers

I don't know if you have read this recent thread, if you haven't go through it--it deals with some of the options you have.