I want to get started in graphics programming. Book recommandations?

[dbb]

Hi there.

I allready know C, and i am soon finish with my C++ book.

I also got som basic Linux knowledge.
Now... I want to expand to graphics programming under Linux.

To get good at that i thought id buy three books:

Beginning linux programming: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1...1871358-4258429

Linux 3D graphics programming: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1...1871358-4258429

and last,

OpenGL game programming: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...1871358-4258429


Will these books do?

[satan]

I do 3D Graphics in Linux for some time now (considering myself to be a beginner, since there is lot of stuff i do not know and do not care until i need it).
Your second choice (Linux 3d Graphics Programming) i took a look at at my local bookstore and really didn't like it.
For Linux programming in general i do not think that you need any book about it. I came from Delphi (doing everything for me) on Win, changed to Linux and had nothing like Delphi. So I just searched the net for a compiler and found lot's of resources for programming in Linux. Since you are looking for C/C++ programming it will be much easier for you to find good reasources on the net.
There's also the red book online somewhere (ask google). And i heard that 'Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice' is a real nice on (couldn't take a look at it at my local dealer) and at the moment i just cannot afford it. I started using the OpenGL Superbible which is a good start since you see results very early (and not to expensive ). The net provides lots of tutorials on OpenGL, too (http://nehe.gamedev.net/ for example).
Mostly it depends on your taste what books you should buy (i like more the books dealing with principles rather than code, but this could be because i never found any OpenGL book in ObjectPascal ).

hope I helped a bit

[This message has been edited by satan (edited 04-15-2002).]

[kabir]

Definately grab a copy of the red book ("OpenGL Programming Guide") if you're interested in OpenGL at all, it's a pretty thorough introduction to dealing with 3D graphics in general and OpenGL in particular.

I've also had good experiences with the OpenGL Suberbible, but there's been a new edition since I used it, so I'm just assuming it's still good.

As the previous poster mentioned, Computer Graphics, Princles and Practice is quite good, but it's extremely academic. Personally I think every graphics programmer should own a copy, but it may not be the best place to start. It will give you a deep understanding of what's going on (it starts with rasterization techniques and works it's way up from there), but can be tough going in the beginning.

If you're using OpenGL then it doesn't matter much if you're on Linux or not... (you can find the resources you need to get moving with SDL online, and the OpenGL code ports pretty well, especially if you have an NVidia card with supported drivers) any OpenGL book will do, though many have a Windows focus. The red book is probably your best bet in any case.

good luck