OpenGL Distilled
OpenGL Distilled
by Paul Martz
Addison-Wesley • ISBN 0321336798 • 304 pages
“OpenGL Distilled” by Paul Martz is a streamlined, practical guide to the core concepts of the OpenGL 2.0 API, designed to help developers efficiently integrate OpenGL into their applications. Unlike comprehensive tomes that cover every nuance, this book takes a concise, hands-on approach, making it ideal for those who need to get up to speed quickly without wading through extensive documentation.
Spanning 266 pages across eight well-structured chapters and four appendices, OpenGL Distilled covers the essential elements of OpenGL programming, including rendering pipelines, buffer objects, texture mapping, lighting, shading, and transformations. The book balances foundational principles with real-world applications, ensuring that readers not only understand OpenGL concepts but can also apply them effectively in their own projects.
Martz emphasizes best practices and efficiency, making the book a valuable resource for both newcomers and experienced OpenGL developers looking for a refresher. Topics such as creating realistic textures, implementing vertex and fragment shaders, and optimizing rendering performance are presented in a clear, straightforward manner.
Published by Addison-Wesley Professional, OpenGL Distilled is a must-have for graphics programmers, game developers, and anyone working with OpenGL for interactive 3D applications. Whether you’re building a game engine, a simulation, or visualization software, this book provides the key insights needed to harness OpenGL’s full potential.
About the Author
Paul Martz
Paul Martz is an award-winning science fiction author, technology blogger, and former punk rock drummer. At age six, he saw “2001: A Space Odyssey” on the big screen, which led him to a collection of Clarke’s short stories—and a lifelong insatiable appetite for mind-bending science fiction. His edgy, techno-smart stories are influenced by his career as a virtual reality software developer and the time he spent drumming for punk and alternative bar bands. Originally from Flint, Michigan, Paul now resides in Erie, Colorado, where he continues to write and engage with the tech community.
In recent years, Paul has shifted his focus from software development to writing, contributing to various science fiction publications and maintaining a technology blog. His personal website offers a collection of his writings and insights into his current projects.
To discover more about Paul’s life and his writing, dive into his website at https://paulmartz.com!
After retiring from hs career in software development, Paul gave custody of the OpenGL Distilled domain to AlphaPixel, a testament to our expertise and leadership in OpenGL and related technologies. Our team offers extensive experience in 3D visualization, virtual reality, and visual simulation. We provide consulting, software development, and support services tailored to OpenGL, OpenSceneGraph, and Vulkan projects. Our expertise ensures that clients receive optimized solutions for complex graphics challenges.
OpenGL Resources
Books (Offline with Some Online Versions Available)
1. OpenGL Distilled – A concise guide by Paul Martz that focuses on the essential elements of OpenGL 2.0, providing practical insights into rendering, shaders, and best practices. (Offline, purchase required)
2. OpenGL Programming Guide aka “Red Book” – The definitive resource for learning OpenGL, covering core functionalities and modern techniques. (Offline, but some older editions are available online)
3. OpenGL Reference Manual aka “Blue Book” – An authoritative OpenGL API reference guide, useful for detailed function descriptions. (Offline, but some information is available through OpenGL Wiki and Khronos Registry)
4. OpenGL Shading Language aka “Orange Book” – A guide focused on OpenGL’s programmable pipeline and shader development. (Offline, purchase required)
5. OpenGL SuperBible – A well-known book series with modern OpenGL tutorials and examples. *(Offline, but website contains some learning resources)
Online Resources
6. The OpenGL Registry – Official documentation from the Khronos Group, including API specifications and extensions. (Online, free)
7. Learn OpenGL – A modern and beginner-friendly tutorial series that covers shaders, lighting, texturing, and rendering techniques. (Online, free)
8. OpenGL Wiki – A community-driven resource providing detailed documentation on OpenGL concepts, best practices, and API usage. (Online, free)
9. OpenSceneGraph – A high-level 3D graphics toolkit built on OpenGL, widely used for simulations, virtual reality, and scientific visualization. (Online, free)
10. AlphaPixel OpenGL Services – A company specializing in OpenGL, OpenSceneGraph, and Vulkan software development, offering consulting and support services. (Online, free for browsing, paid services available)
