OpenGL SuperBible: Comprehensive Tutorial and Reference

by Richard S. Wright Jr., Nicholas Haemel, Graham Sellers

"OpenGL(R) SuperBible, Fifth Edition " is the definitive programmer's guide, tutorial, and reference for the world's leading 3D API for real-time computer graphics, OpenGL 3.3. The best all-around introduction to OpenGL for developers at all levels of experience, it clearly explains both the API and essential associated programming concepts. Readers will find up-to-date, hands-on guidance on all facets of modern OpenGL development, including transformations, texture mapping, shaders, advanced buffers, geometry management, and much more. Fully revised to reflect ARB's latest official specification (3.3), this edition also contains a new start-to-finish tutorial on OpenGL for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Coverage includes A practical introduction to the essentials of real-time 3D graphics Core OpenGL 3.3 techniques for rendering, transformations, and texturing Writing your own shaders, with examples to get you started Cross-platform OpenGL: Windows (including Windows 7), Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, UNIX, and embedded systems OpenGL programming for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad: step-by-step guidance and complete example programs Advanced buffer techniques, including full-definition rendering with floating point buffers and textures Fragment operations: controlling the end of the graphics pipeline Advanced shader usage and geometry management A fully updated API reference, now based on the official ARB (Core) OpenGL 3.3 manual pages New bonus materials and sample code on a companion Web site, www.starstonesoftware.com/OpenGL "Part of the OpenGL Technical Library--The official knowledge resource for OpenGL developers" The OpenGL Technical Library provides tutorial and reference books for OpenGL. The Library enables programmers to gain a practical understanding of OpenGL and shows them how to unlock its full potential. Originally developed by SGI, the Library continues to evolve under the auspices of the OpenGL Architecture Review Board (ARB) Steering Group (now part of the Khronos Group), an industry consortium responsible for guiding the evolution of OpenGL and related technologies.

Genres: Computer Science, Programming, Reference, Technical, Nonfiction, Technology, Computers

1017 pages, ebook

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Alex Ptakhin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a happy childhood

[رائد الغامدي · Rating 4 out of 5]

من الكتب المرجعية في مجال الرسم بالحاسب باستخدام OpenGl.
مقسم إلى ثلاثة أجزاء: مبتدئ، متوسط، ومتقدم. الجزء الأول مهم ويشرح قواعد وأساسيات الرسوم ثنائية وثلاثية الأبعاد. مهم قراءته لمن يريد تعلم أصول رسومات الحاسوب حتى ولو لم يستخدم اوبن جي ال.

[Charles H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The few complaints I have are rather petty:
1.) The fourth edition is out and it is said to be far superior.
2.) The example graphics are mostly hideous.
3.) The example code that comes with the book relies heavily on reused third party libraries. For me, this made translating examples into my own programs difficult.

But the OpenGL SuperBible succeeds at being the absolutely comprehensive reference book on OpenGL. Not only does it cover all conceivable topics, it also covers them in a simple enough way to make it a useful self-teaching book. There is plenty of example code. There is no OS bias. It's an all around super book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't speak to how easy this book is to digest for a beginner, but "comprehensive" is definitely the correct description. Having a reference and a learning guide in one book is incredibly useful; you can look up a function to refresh your memory on the argument list, or read the section on a topic to figure out how to approach a problem in the first place. I like it better than the Red Book, and having one or the other is a must for an OpenGL programmer.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

From what I recall of this book, it's quite well suited to both beginner and intermediate OpenGL programmers alike. Even newcomers to 3D systems should be able to hit the ground running, every concept is covered in detail.

[Nick Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of its weight, admittedly, is in dopey moves like reprinting reference pages and lengthy code listings, but a surprisingly useful and well-written intro to OpenGL in its third major version otherwise.

[Stirling Westrup · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't recommend this as either a reference or a tutorial, but it might serve as a source for tips and tricks. I found the explanations of many features to leave out necessary details or to simply make no sense at all.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to 3D graphics programming. Clear, understandable, complete.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

If/when I ever use OpenGL again, I will purchase another book and not rely on this one. I can't put my finger on much that's overtly wrong, but I just find it hard to learn from this book.

[Marcos Santamaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good OpenGL reference book

[Ling Wang · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good tutorial. But you want to know “why” find another book.

[Bruno Gallego · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is amazing, clear and complete, although i had to look up another book for slashing all the content, due to the fact this topic is big.