Suggested reading list?

[Zebulon Pi]

First off, my apologies if this has been asked before. I ran a search to check, but didn't see anything. So, my question:

What would you suggested I read to learn about computer graphics? I'm not a programming newbie (heck, I've programmed in more languages than I can count), and I'm not a computer newbie, either (Altair 8088, anyone?), but as far as computer graphics goes, I'm pretty much starting from scratch. This seems like a very knowledgable community, and I figured you guys would know what I should and shouldn't read to get myself started.

Any and all feedback greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

 

[991060]

Real Time Rendering 2nd edition is my first graphics book, it's excellent:
http://www.realtimerendering.com/

You can also try ShaderX if you want to write sth cool instantly, but it's not for educational purpose, more like an tricks book.

 

[Captain Chickenpants]

The standard book on the subject is "Computer Graphics Principles and Practice" - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...254-8551855?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

It describes the fundamental concepts of 3d rendering in great detail.

The Realtime Rendering book also has info on different 3d card achitectures ((including PowerVR yipee!) , so should be a good one if you are looking to start writing 3d software.

If you haven't done matrix math (or not done it in a while) then it is probably worth brushing up on that, as it is pretty fundamental for 3d graphics, although most books will probably cover matrices in the first chapter.

Good luck,
CC

 

[Wandering]

MY two cents

Work on the opengl redbook available for free online, do the basic examples
that come with the book. by the time youre done with it you should
know enough to express yourself graphically.

Next pick up Real Time Rendering (Second edition) and try to tinker
with the techniques he mentions there
( btw computer graphics rinciples and practice is also a good book
but both real time rendering and computer graphics principles and practice contain no code, they present you with the theory. just mentioning this
cos diff approaches work for diff people. ALso Computer Graphicsrinciples and practice is getting a bit outdated now)

 

[Zebulon Pi]

Thanks, all! Those sound like very good places to start.