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OpenGL

OpenGL is described as a "high performance 2D/3D graphics API". It is very popular, being supported on all major platforms (almost all desktops and workstations?) and being used for such diverse tasks as medical imaging, computer aided design, geographic visualisation, and (most importantly!) computer games. It is designed by commitee via an Architectural Review Board (ARB), with representatives from most of the major players in the graphics field.

This is the best tutorial site i know for OpenGL:

http://www.gametutorials.com/Tutorials/OpenGL/OpenGL_Pg1.htm

I would really like to create something similar for JOGL.

-- Main.danielmd - 13 Jun 2003

I also like the NeHe tutorials:

http://nehe.gamedev.net/

As for JOGL, well, I'm currently going through the tuts on GameTutorials and NeHe, doing up Java/JOGL versions as a learning exercise. I'm also commenting heavily as I go. I figure by forcing myself to comment, I prove to myself that I have some inkling of what each line does. If the original authors have no objections, I would be happy to make my versions available.

-- Main.javabear - 25 Jun 2003 -- Main.troggan - 15 Aug 2003

Useful OpenGL links

• Official site. Contains links to recent projects advertising their use of OpenGL, discussion forums, specifications, documentation etc.
  • http://www.opengl.org/
• Official OpenGL forums. Anonymous posting is allowed in some places, e.g. the "beginner" forum, so it's a good place to ask questions without having to register.
  • http://www.opengl.org/discussion_boards/cgi_directory/Ultimate.cgi
• SGI's OpenGL Extension Registry. Intended to contain specifications for all known extensions. These days may not be entirely up-to-date, however.
  • http://oss.sgi.com/projects/ogl-sample/registry/
• The RedBook. The best way to learn OpenGL
  • http://fly.cc.fer.hr/~unreal/theredbook/
• Open Inventor Scenegraph API based on OpenGL
  • http://oss.sgi.com/projects/inventor/
• (Please add more)

Using OpenGL From Java

• JOGL (or should that be JoGL or Jogl? All three forms exist on the official page - someone please clarify!). This binding was produced internally by Sun as a result of Jsr134. It provides a general-purpose OpenGL binding that integrates with AWT/Swing yet performs fast enough for game development. For more informations, look here (JOGL).
• LWJGL. (more Information here) A community-generated binding with a singular focus on gaming
  • http://java-game-lib.sourceforge.net/
  • http://www.puppygames.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=3
• GL4Java. A very mature binding, but one which hasn't seen an update since 2001.
  • http://www.jausoft.com/products/gl4java/gl4java_main.html
• Java3D Scengraph API (similiar to Open Inventor) that runs on top of OpenGL or DirectX^? (future releases only on OpenGL)
  • https://java3d.dev.java.net
• (More? Could list the older players, but it hardly seems worthwhile. Opinions?)

Tutorial Sites

• NeHe Productions. Well-respected OpenGL tutorial/sample code site. Some of the material concerns Win32-specific issues, but the OpenGL parts are a good introduction to OpenGL coding.
  • http://nehe.gamedev.net/

• GameTutorials. Great OpenGL tutorial/sample code site. Good examples, many languages supported.
  • http://www.gametutorials.com/Tutorials/OpenGL/OpenGL_Pg1.htm

• LWJGL Demos & Tutorials. Demos & tutorials for LWJGL. You can also find some port from Nehe and Gametutorials.com tutorials.
  • http://chman.kaioa.com/

• (Please add more)

-- Main.troggan - 15 Aug 2003

OpenGL-related Articles of Interest

(People with experience of these topics, please fill them in!)

• ImmediateMode
• OpenGLDisplayLists
• VertexArrays
• OpenGLExtensions
• LightingWithOpenGL
• TexturingWithOpenGL
• RenderingTextWithOpenGL^?
• QueryingOpenGLLimitations^?
• UsingOpenGLFor2D^?
• FastEfficientOpenGL^?
• CommonOpenGLPitfalls
• OpenGLIsAStateMachine
• FaceCullingWithOpenGL
• DepthTestingWithOpenGL^?
• AlphaBlendingWithOpenGL^?
• AlphaTestingWithOpenGL
• ThreadsAndOpenGL
• (Please add more)