Thread: OpenGL tutorials

  1. #1
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    OpenGL tutorials

    Hello. I want to start working with OpenGL. Can you please tell me where I can download it and give me some tutorials?

    Thank you

  2. #2
    Supermassive black hole cboard_member's Avatar
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    In most cases, you've already got everything you need if you've got a compiler installed.
    http://nehe.gamedev.net is arguably the best place to start.
    Good class architecture is not like a Swiss Army Knife; it should be more like a well balanced throwing knife.

    - Mike McShaffry

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    Well I looked into thier tutorials, and it is said that the code was written back in 1997. So, it worries me a bit. I just can't use something that old. For me, everything has to be new.
    Due to that I was hoping you would give me another website.

  4. #4
    Supermassive black hole cboard_member's Avatar
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    I'm pretty sure everyone here would say nehe is still a damn good place to start / the best. To be honest I'm not sure what has changed (extensions?) since '97.
    Good class architecture is not like a Swiss Army Knife; it should be more like a well balanced throwing knife.

    - Mike McShaffry

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    Those tutorials still apply. They are good for learning the opengl api, and everything in there is valid.

    Start out with that.
    STL Util a small headers-only library with various utility functions. Mainly for fun but feedback is welcome.

  6. #6
    and the Hat of Clumsiness GanglyLamb's Avatar
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    The tutorials on nehe.gamedev.net are good, but they lack explanation in my opinion.

    It somehow feels like I'm reading a cookbook:

    use this function first,
    afterwards add a pinch of rotation now...

    But I guess every tutorial will be like that, if they have to explain everything that is going on and why this first and then that... they are writing a book rather then a tutorial...

    My point is:

    Do some of the tutorials first, if you like what you see, and if you have an idea of what can be accomplished using openGL, get a book that starts all over again from the beginning but that will give you more background information on the how and why of some things.

  7. #7
    Supermassive black hole cboard_member's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GanglyLamb
    The tutorials on nehe.gamedev.net are good, but they lack explanation in my opinion.

    It somehow feels like I'm reading a cookbook:

    use this function first,
    afterwards add a pinch of rotation now...

    But I guess every tutorial will be like that, if they have to explain everything that is going on and why this first and then that... they are writing a book rather then a tutorial...

    My point is:

    Do some of the tutorials first, if you like what you see, and if you have an idea of what can be accomplished using openGL, get a book that starts all over again from the beginning but that will give you more background information on the how and why of some things.
    And I recommend http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginning-Op...995809?ie=UTF8 (if you're in the USA then copy the ISBN from that page and plonk it into amazon.com)
    Good class architecture is not like a Swiss Army Knife; it should be more like a well balanced throwing knife.

    - Mike McShaffry

  8. #8
    and the Hat of Clumsiness GanglyLamb's Avatar
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    I already have that book, I got it because of the reasons already mentioned in my previous post. It's definately what I was looking for when I bought the book.

  9. #9
    Supermassive black hole cboard_member's Avatar
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    Me too. It's been a great help.
    Good class architecture is not like a Swiss Army Knife; it should be more like a well balanced throwing knife.

    - Mike McShaffry

  10. #10
    Registered User Frobozz's Avatar
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    I bought a copy sometime ago myself. And then later bought the follow up book as well. http://www.amazon.com/OpenGL-Game-Pr...e=UTF8&s=books

    Quote Originally Posted by ahluka
    (if you're in the USA then copy the ISBN from that page and plonk it into amazon.com)
    Or simply replace the .co.uk with .com.

  11. #11
    Supermassive black hole cboard_member's Avatar
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    ... Oh yeah, that works too.
    Good class architecture is not like a Swiss Army Knife; it should be more like a well balanced throwing knife.

    - Mike McShaffry

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