Good book on OpenGL

[Donotalo]

I'm interested in learning OpenGL. I know C/C++ and Win32 API. Can anyone give me suggestion on good book along with author name so that I can start? My knowledge about computer graphics and OpenGL is zero. So please provide book names which starts from the most basic material and successively advances to more advanced topics.

Please provide 3/4 book names. The best book may not available in our local market.

Thanks in advance.

[mournerslament]

The OpenGl Superbible by Richard S. Wright, Jr. and Benjamin Lipchak is my recommendation. I think the 4th edition came out recently. I learned using the 3rd edition and it was very well structured and gave some good explanations of a lot of OpenGl topics.

[Hnefi]

I have learned much from starting out with "OpenGL - a primer" by Edward Angel, which goes through the basics, and then continuing with "Computer Graphics with OpenGL" by Hearn&Baker. The latter book isn't specifically about OpenGL but uses it to teach many principles, from basic to advanced, that are used in graphics programming.

Once you're halfway through the latter book, I would recommend the Red Book and Yellow Book (see OpenGL homepage, www.opengl.org (http://www.opengl.org)) for OpenGL-specific techniques, as well as the extension references (very important to the advanced OpenGL programmer) on http://oss.sgi.com/projects/ogl-sample/registry/. GPU Gems from nVidia is also a very valuable resource.

[Mike Harnad]

OpenGL programming guide: The Official Guide to Learning OpenGL (http://www.amazon.com/OpenGL-Programming-Guide-Official-Learning/dp/0321335732/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9455684-3092945?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187358605&sr=1-1)

[dr.house]

"Interactive Computer Graphics" by Edward Angel is an excellent top-down approach to graphics programming using OpenGL.

If you want to learn the mathematical theory behind computer graphics (which is kind of complicated but very handy if you get it) go with "Computer Graphics Principles and Practices" by Foley, van Dam, Fiener and Hughes. Theres no programming here, just lots of algorithms

[SOCM_FP_CPP]

Hi ,

Since u have mentioned ur knowledge of OpenGL and Graphics programming is zero , try to be familiar with rudiments of 3D computer graphics before planning to learn OpenGL.

I will suggest u a scheme which might work for u ( it has worked with lot of guys which i trained )

a) Download a VRML editor and learn VRML by going through some tutorials

b) Try to read the book Annotated VRML reference manual. At least the graphics part of it.

C) Try to learn Java3D ( i am not kidding ! ... it is a good high level graphics api )

D) Read Edward Angel book mentioned above

E) Simultaneously read OpenGL super bible...

F) Read OpenGL programming guide as given above.


Things need not be followed in sequence. I am sure ...this is one of the way to master computer graphics and OpenGL.


Regards
Praseed Pai