scorpiosage

I downloaded a program called anim8or wich is similar to 3d studio max. I actually have 3d studio max, but can't, for the life of me, figure out how it works.

anim8or has been a life saver.

In my venture to use the anim8or obj files in programming, (and a complete beginner here), I found out that using OpenGL was the way to go(?).

Can someone help me to understand exactly what OpenGL is? Can one actually write OpenGL from scratch, and create complete programs, or is it simply a way of manipulating graphical objects? Most of what I have found on OpenGL, instead of explaining what it is and how it works, basically just says, her's some code now put it here and there you go, wich, IMHO is not so much the best way to go about it.

What less common uses does OpenGL have, if any?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

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chrtecdev

"I downloaded a program called anim8or wich is similar to 3d studio max."
-- Ok. Anim8or is good, but 3D Studio MAX rocks.

"I actually have 3d studio max, but can't, for the life of me, figure out how it works."
-- Yes, 3D Studio MAX is very complex and, in some ways, non-intuitive. Thus, it needs some hard study and practice. Why don't u try using it and ask me for help when u need?

"anim8or has been a life saver."
"In my venture to use the anim8or obj files in programming, (and a complete beginner here), I found out that using OpenGL was the way to go(?). "
-- Ok. OpenGL is one way to go.

"Can someone help me to understand exactly what OpenGL is?"
-- OpenGL is a graphics API. It supports things like 3D primitives, lighting, texture mapping, blending, z-buffering and much more.

"Can one actually write OpenGL from scratch, and create complete programs, or is it simply a way of manipulating graphical objects?"
-- Yes, but it needs a language to work. Most people use C/C++, but u can try it with Java, Delphi, VB and much more. For instance, u can code an application that sets the background color to light gray and then, creates a black grid like the default scene u can see in 3D Studio MAX. As a hardcore example, games like Serious Sam and Doom 3 used 3D engines that were created with OpenGL.

"Most of what I have found on OpenGL, instead of explaining what it is and how it works, basically just says, her's some code now put it here and there you go, wich, IMHO is not so much the best way to go about it."
-- Please visit www.opengl.org for more technical info about OpenGL.

"What less common uses does OpenGL have, if any?"
-- Applications for scientific and medical researches, for example.

"Thanks in advance,
Mike"
-- You welcome.

Christiano Rezende.