How to start learning OpenGL
Hello. I am new to OpenGL and wish to learn how to use it. Where do I download it? I am not sure what all I need in order to start programming with OpenGL. I am planning on using C++, Ada, or Java for my programming needs. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.
i suggest picking up the opengl super bible 4th edition. Very good book. Its well writtin and the samples realy help you get a grap of opengl from basic rendering to shaders.
I've heard mixed reviews of Ne-He, some people think it's not a good starting point as the guy was apparently learning as he went along. I thought they were ok though.
I recommend:
The Red Book.
Beginning OpenGL Games Programming (by the guys who started Gamedev.net).
I recommend:
The Red Book.
Beginning OpenGL Games Programming (by the guys who started Gamedev.net).
Quote:Original post by Velvet Leopard
planning on using C++, Ada, or Java for my programming needs.
Isn't ADA a military language? I found OpenGL a bit of a nightmare in Java. Stick with C/C++ if I was you.
Hey there. Thanks for the replies. Yes Ada was originally contracted as a sort of contest by the military to see who could create a real-time programming language that can be run on any equipment and be very accurate and fast. It is a easy language to learn and has many capabilities. It isn't the greatest language for stuff like games, but it can be used and I do know how to code it. I do have access to C++ though and have coded with it some.
My real question is what actual things do I need to put on my PC in order to program with OpenGL? As in are there any base libraries, source code, or programs that I have to download and use? As of yet, I haven't found a single download of OpenGL. Like I said I am new and never used it, so I don't know what I need code -wise, not literature wise. I will look into buying several books on it though.
Thanks for your time.
My real question is what actual things do I need to put on my PC in order to program with OpenGL? As in are there any base libraries, source code, or programs that I have to download and use? As of yet, I haven't found a single download of OpenGL. Like I said I am new and never used it, so I don't know what I need code -wise, not literature wise. I will look into buying several books on it though.
Thanks for your time.
OpenGL is implemented in the video driver. So you need an up to date driver.
Since it is a standard library, most C++ compiler comes with OpenGL header files & libs.
On Windows, it is included in Microsoft Platform SDK, freely downloadable on Microsoft website. On Linux, libs & headers are usually available by default.
However this will give you only access to OpenGL 1.1.
To access latest versions of OpenGL, you need to ask the driver for extensions.
Helpful people have made libraries that does this for you, check out GLEE or GLEW.
There are a few interesting links here: http://www.opengl.org/sdk/
Since it is a standard library, most C++ compiler comes with OpenGL header files & libs.
On Windows, it is included in Microsoft Platform SDK, freely downloadable on Microsoft website. On Linux, libs & headers are usually available by default.
However this will give you only access to OpenGL 1.1.
To access latest versions of OpenGL, you need to ask the driver for extensions.
Helpful people have made libraries that does this for you, check out GLEE or GLEW.
There are a few interesting links here: http://www.opengl.org/sdk/
Quote:Original post by theZapperQuote:Original post by Velvet Leopard
planning on using C++, Ada, or Java for my programming needs.
Isn't ADA a military language? I found OpenGL a bit of a nightmare in Java. Stick with C/C++ if I was you.
opengl in java a nightmare?? IMHO i guess its easier than c/c++ ever heard of lwjgl? jogl? ,when i started to learn opengl i first picked c++ , after a couple of months i found java and lwjgl , never come back to c++, for me it was more simple n_n
Hmm. Does that mean I can only develop programs using OpenGL for my graphics card?
I do have a Java book and compiler I got from the local college. I may use that instead.
I do have a Java book and compiler I got from the local college. I may use that instead.
Rather than being a full set of libraries, as with DirectX, OpenGL is part of the video driver*. All drivers are expected to implement the same set of core functionality, and beyond that tend to provide vendor-specific extensions.
*It doesn't have to be part of the driver, but usually it is.
*It doesn't have to be part of the driver, but usually it is.
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