The OpenGL graphics system is a software interface to graphics hardware. (The GL stands for Graphics Library.) It allows you to create interactive programs that produce color images of moving three−dimensional objects. With OpenGL, you can control computer−graphics technology to produce realistic pictures or ones that depart from reality in imaginative ways. This guide explains how to program with the OpenGL graphics system to deliver the visual effect you want. | OpenGL Programming Guide About This Guide The OpenGL graphics system is a software interface to graphics hardware. The GL stands for Graphics Library. It allows you to create interactive programs that produce color images of moving three-dimensional objects. With OpenGL you can control computer-graphics technology to produce realistic pictures or ones that depart from reality in imaginative ways. This guide explains how to program with the OpenGL graphics system to deliver the visual effect you want. What This Guide Contains This guide has the ideal number of chapters 13. The first six chapters present basic information that you need to understand to be able to draw a properly colored and lit three-dimensional object on the screen Chapter 1 Introduction to OpenGL provides a glimpse into the kinds of things OpenGL can do. It also presents a simple OpenGL program and explains essential programming details you need to know for subsequent chapters. Chapter 2 Drawing Geometric Objects explains how to create a three-dimensional geometric description of an object that is eventually drawn on the screen. Chapter 3 Viewing describes how such three-dimensional models are transformed before being drawn onto a two-dimensional screen. You can control these transformations to show a particular view of a model. Chapter 4 Display Lists discusses how to store a series of OpenGL commands for execution at a later time. You ll want to use this feature to increase the performance of your OpenGL program. Chapter 5 Color describes how to specify the color and shading method used to draw an object. Chapter 6 Lighting explains how to control the lighting conditions surrounding an object and how that object responds to light that is how it reflects or absorbs light . Lighting is an important topic since objects usually don t look three-dimensional until they re lit. The remaining chapters explain how to add sophisticated features to your three-dimensional scene. You might choose not to take
