OpenGL is a package that allows a programmer to create very high-quality 3D graphics. It allows you to do a great many things, so like most such packages; the typical user uses only a small percentage of the overall capability. The goal of Martz in writing this book is to present and explain that key core of operations.

In that sense he is very successful, although the reader has to be fairly knowledgeable in the terminology and mechanics of graphics programming. Knowledge of matrices and the basic operations performed on them is also essential. The chapter headings of coverage are:



*) Drawing primitives

*) Transformation and viewing

*) Lighting

*) Pixel rectangles

*) Texture mapping

*) Extensions and versions

*) Platform-specific interfaces



If you know the terminology and fundamental mechanics of graphics programming, then you will find this book is an excellent introduction to the fundamental functions of OpenGL. Martz lists the prototypes of the functions as well as short descriptions of what they return and what can go wrong. The code examples are written in C++ and can be easily understood by anyone familiar with the language.