The OpenGL Programming Guide - The Redbook
The OpenGL Programming Guide 5th Edition The Official Guide to Learning OpenGL Version 2.1
The OpenGL Programming Guide, Fifth Edition, provides definitive and comprehensive information on OpenGL and the OpenGL Utility Library. The previous edition covered OpenGL through Version 1.3 and 1.4. This fifth edition of the best-selling "red book" describes the latest features of OpenGL Versions 1.5 and 2.0, including the introduction of the OpenGL Shading Language. You will find clear explanations of OpenGL functionality and many basic computer graphics techniques, such as building and rendering 3D models; interactively viewing objects from different perspective points; and using shading, lighting, and texturing effects for greater realism. In addition, this book provides in-depth coverage of advanced techniques, including texture mapping, antialiasing, fog and atmospheric effects, NURBS, image processing, and more. The text also explores other key topics such as enhancing performance, OpenGL extensions, and cross-platform techniques. This fifth edition has been extensively updated to include the newest features of OpenGL, versions 1.5 and 2.0.
Highly recommended reading! This current edition of the Redbook is a must have for any OpenGL developer.
Earlier versions of the Redbook are available online. These earlier versions are useful for getting started with basic OpenGL coding but they are not adequate for more advanced rendering and techniques. We requested the publisher to post a copy of the early version on OpenGL.org - but in the meantime, there are several "unofficial" hosts that vanish and pop up at new sites regularly!. (Let us know if you discover that these links have changed.).