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I want to make OpenGL games in C++

Started by Kada Nov 26, 2010 at 5:44 PM 8 replies 2.9k views

Original Post

Nov 26, 2010 at 5:44 PM

I know Java a little more than I know C++, but I own Beginning C++ through Game programming, the newest edition, in order to learn C++ more.

My ultimate goal is to learn OpenGL and program 3D applications/games (basic ones to start) with either of these 2 languages.

C++ seems to be the better option, but I can't find any good resources for learning how to use OpenGL in C++. I heard of NeHe, but I also was told to avoid it because it teaches in a bad way and is old.

Where can I find newer, current tutorials for OpenGL within C++, and will I be using OpenGL as a stand-alone in C++, or should I learn SDL first and use one within the other?

Please help me, I'm lost and have been googling in circles for days. Thanks!

zaneski13

Nov 26, 2010 at 8:17 PM

I use SDL for window interface purposes and OpenGL for graphics.

NEHE is where I learned, just don't go through the Win32 API code because win32 is pretty ugly, especially for beginners.

What I did when I was first starting off was download the source for Linix/SDL
It'll work on windows too, don't worry.

I looked at the opengl parts of the tutorials but completely bypassed the win32 API parts.

another place i went to for tutorials was http://www.videotutorialsrock.com/

that should start you off, then when you get better you can poke around some source code for help.

Kada

Nov 26, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Thanks dude I'll check it out!

Anyone else have recommendations?

So far, using SDL for window and then the rest of the graphics rendering in OpenGL sounds great. I'd probably avoid NeHe and use the OpenGL Red Book for the GL code though.

Do I need to know all of the SDL tutorials, or can I read the first tutorial for setting up a window and then skip to the last tutorial on Lazyfoo.net for setting up OpenGL in SDL?

SimonForsman

Nov 26, 2010 at 11:08 PM

Quote:
Original post by Kada
Thanks dude I'll check it out!

Anyone else have recommendations?

So far, using SDL for window and then the rest of the graphics rendering in OpenGL sounds great. I'd probably avoid NeHe and use the OpenGL Red Book for the GL code though.

Do I need to know all of the SDL tutorials, or can I read the first tutorial for setting up a window and then skip to the last tutorial on Lazyfoo.net for setting up OpenGL in SDL?

You could, allthough you should probably take a look at the input and sound portions of SDL aswell.

Kada

Nov 26, 2010 at 11:37 PM

Oh, I will definitely check those out, I just want to get the frame for graphics up and running so I can finally learn OpenGL and start! So excited to start placing my first vertices and create triangles/quads and then go from there!

Zomgbie

Nov 27, 2010 at 12:12 PM

I started off using GLUT for seting up my environment. But then i found out how easy WinAPI really is, and now that's exactly what im using. The only thing that makes WinAPI look hard, are all the function/variable names. Except that it's nothing special :)

Starting with SDL or any other library is good. But later on you should bite down and learn the API for whatever platform you're looking to develop for :)

VideroBoy

Nov 27, 2010 at 1:17 PM

In addition to SDL, you can also check out SFML. It's like SDL, but more C++ oriented.

Though if you're a complete beginner at OpenGL, GLUT would be your best start. The other libraries mentioned take more scaffolding.

As for tutorials, I'm not sure there's many that are as well established as NeHe. Even fewer have anything to do with modern (3.0+) OpenGL. A page I've bookmarked for reference on semi-modern OpenGL is 3D programming for iPhone of all things (it's a draft of an O'Reilly book).

wildboar

Nov 27, 2010 at 5:39 PM

I recommend to buy a proper book such as the official opengl book -red book and -orange book (glsl).

toony

Nov 29, 2010 at 1:25 PM

Quote:
Original post by Kada
I know Java a little more than I know C++, but I own Beginning C++ through Game programming, the newest edition, in order to learn C++ more.

My ultimate goal is to learn OpenGL and program 3D applications/games (basic ones to start) with either of these 2 languages.

C++ seems to be the better option, but I can't find any good resources for learning how to use OpenGL in C++. I heard of NeHe, but I also was told to avoid it because it teaches in a bad way and is old.

Where can I find newer, current tutorials for OpenGL within C++, and will I be using OpenGL as a stand-alone in C++, or should I learn SDL first and use one within the other?

Please help me, I'm lost and have been googling in circles for days. Thanks!

get the opengl redbook of your choice, it will teach you the basic stuff so well and you will be proud of yourself! you can also use opengl with java.

http://www.opengl.org/documentation/books/#the_opengl_programming_guide_the_official_guide_to_learning_opengl_version

rombust

Nov 30, 2010 at 2:27 AM

For 2D OpenGL based games, I would recommend ClanLib ( http://clanlib.org/wiki/Examples ). For 3D, maybe irrlicht would be better in your situation.

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