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Very Simple Matrix Library

 Programming, Tools, Tutorials  No Responses »
May 112011
 

One of the features that was not selected to be part of the core functionality was matrix handling. Previously we had OpenGL and GLU functions that provided the means for easily setting the camera, defining projections, and performing geometric transformations on graphical objects.

The Very Simple Matrix Library (VSML) aims at providing users with a functionality similar to the one available up to OpenGL 3.2. I’ve been using OpenGL for a long time and those matrix handling functions served most of my purposes when programming graphics, hence I grew fond of them. I missed them in the new OpenGL versions so I decided to write a simple lib to perform the same tasks in a very similar way.

Dynamics and Particle Effects

 Models & Textures, Programming  No Responses »
May 112011
 

Dynamics and Particle Effects is a two part article on creating particle systems on Maya. Smoke and rain are two of the effects that are taught in this tutorial by Audri Phillips from Intel.

From their very inception, 3D programs have been used to imitate natural phenomena, creating realistic, stylized, or artistic effects. A greater range of effects is now possible than in the past, before the advent of computer technology. The dynamics/particle effects component of 3D software combined with compositing programs-many of which also have particle capabilities-have primarily been used to create these effects, which have become a mainstay in film, commercial, and game production.

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GLUT tutorial – getting rid of (some) bugs

 Programming, Tutorials  1 Response »
Apr 282011
 

The code for several demos in the GLUT tutorial was plagued with a int to void * conversion. While this seems to work perfectly in Windows, at least in this case, Linux users found out that it did not even compile.

The code has been updated and hopefully the problem is gone. Please do report any problems you find. I’m sure there must be some bugs still on the loose…

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Materials, materials everywhere

 Programming  No Responses »
Apr 272011
 

Materials and lighting are the essence of 3D applications. These tables (1 2) show several color component combinations that can be used with either compatibility mode or the core version with a shader that emulates old OpenGL lighting model.

ShaderGen

 Programming, Tools, Tutorials  No Responses »
Apr 202011
 

ShaderGen is an old tool from 3D labs, but its usefulness is not gone. The tool creates shaders that mimic the results of a set of fixed function state. There is a large set of options to define a state as available in OpenGL compatibility mode. Lighting, Fog, and all the other features that are gone in core profiles. Select the options you desire, check the result with fixed functionality, and then press “generate”. The tool creates the shaders that emulate those fixed function features. It only produces GLSL 1.2 code, but conversion shouldn’t be an issue.

Importing 3D Models with Assimp

 Apps & Demos, Programming  No Responses »
Apr 152011
 

This is an OpenGL 3.3 + GLSL 3.3 sample that loads and displays a 3D model with Assimp. It also uses DevIL in case the model has textures. It was based on Assimps OpenGL demo and it extends it to support OpenGL 3.3

The sample uses Texturing, Vertex Array Objects, and Uniform Blocks. Camera can move around the object using the mouse, and the mousewheel can be used to zoom on the model, courtesy of freeglut.

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