Thanks for your detailed response - I really do appreciate it. The GLUT library sounds like it will help with the mouse and other things I need. It’s the only library that wasn’t already on my machine. Guess Microsoft didn’t want to ‘over-equip’ OpenGL developers <…hmmmm…>, or maybe it’s a licensing issue. I’ve heard about the ‘non-restricted’ version of GLUT.
My only real concerns are about OpenGL on MS Windows and it’s compatibility under MFC. I’ve already looked at many tutorial sites and many of them mention minor glitches when working with multiple windows (MDI w/ Doc/View) and also with the mouse.
You needn’t worry about my learning C,C++,MFC, or any of that stuff. I’ve been using them for many years, proabably longer than the majority. I even programmed on IRIS workstations for 3 years, before OpenGL was even conceived. So why do I ask these ‘simple’ questions?! Because I’ve been busy keeping up with Microsoft and their cavalcade of ‘every-changing’ APIs. Keeping up with Microsoft’s tools is like walking up the ‘down’ escalator… plenty of horizontal progress.
I was programming 3D w/ Direct3D when it was very new, but my employment changed and I haven’t had the need to write 3D for over 6 years, so I’m only a ‘newbie’ on OpenGL w/ Windows under MFC, and rusty in my 3D skills. So it’s not whether I ‘understand’ what 3D is and how it’s used, it’s whether I can do it with OpenGL on a Microsoft OS w/ dev tools that are always changing… <.NET anyone?> (I’ll fore-go that for now)
Oh, by-the-way (BTW)… I use a particular rendering ‘studio’ tool already, and it can export DXF -AND- 3D-Studio files (as ascii text). I want to create my custom complex wireframe ‘primitives’ from that tool, and import them into my CAD app for use. Any links to sites with DXF or 3DS import source code would be appreciated.
Thanks again for all your help,
SteveH
Originally posted by nexusone:
[b]First let list what each library does:
opengl.lib Opengl main library needed to use OpenGL(So have to have it).
glu.lib Opengl utility library, advanced functions made up of from the base opengl library.
glaux.lib Another opengl utility library, BMP loader, object primitives. Most functions replaced in GLUT, is not recomemded for use in new programs as no longer supported.
glut.lib Opengl utility toolkit, window creation, menu management, mouse/keyboard input managment, object primitives. Write program with GLUT and get cross platform program that can be used with linux and Mac.
The rest of what you asked is not opengl functions or MFC functions, it is something you write.
points:
1> You can write your own texture inport routines or copy someone elses not a function of opengl.
2> nehe.gamedev.net has tutors on how to program opengl, one of them is using texture maps.
3> nehe.gamedev.net has a tutor on object picking and how to read the mouse. The other things you program how you want to objects to move, not a direct function of opengl or MFC.
4> Grouping and moving another thing that is not a built in routine, something in which you write the code yourself.
5> translate, rotate, scale are all functions of opengl, but you still have to write the code telling what function to preform and how the mouse effects the object.
6> Opengl hardware acceleration is done through the video driver, it the mfg of the video card who writes the opengl support for the card, you need not worry about it.
7> Another thing in which you write your own code as to how objects are to move and relate to each other.
stability/flexibility is all in how you code your program, a poorly writin program will be un-stable and unflexible…
I think your first concern should be learning more about how to program C and how opengl works or for that fact any type of program…
[/b]
[This message has been edited by steve_hiemstra (edited 04-02-2002).]
[This message has been edited by steve_hiemstra (edited 04-02-2002).]
[This message has been edited by steve_hiemstra (edited 04-02-2002).]