Interactive Computer Graphics : A Top-Down Approach With Opengl

This introductory text recognizes that
beginners learn computer graphics more
quickly by doing it. Taking a top-down
approach, the book gets you started early in
writing interesting 3D graphics programs.
Each chapter is built around a nontrivial
application program. In this programming
context, key principles and techniques are
explained as needed and in increasing detail.
Coverage includes all the topics required for a
fundamental understanding of computer
graphics, such as light-material interactions,
shading, modeling, curves and surfaces,
anti-aliasing, texture mapping, and
compositing, as well as important hardware
issues.

To enable this top-down approach, the book
first describes an important application
programmer's interface, OpenGL, a graphics
library available on most platforms, from
high-end graphics workstations to PCs. This
high-level interface and a basic knowledge of
C programming allow you to generate
complex interactive applications, even
applications involving 3D viewing and
event-driven input. OpenGL's well-defined
architecture also facilitates the book's
technical discussions of algorithm
implementations.

The Second Edition of this widely used book
features enhanced discussion of hierarchy
and object orientation, visualization,
interaction, and projection; includes additional
code examples, such as two new variants of
the Sierpinski gasket, display of hierarchical
models, shadow generation, and visualization;
and covers functionality added to OpenGL