OpenGL also supports visualization applications with 2D images treated as types of primitives that can be manipulated just like 3D geometric objects. Applications utilizing OpenGL functions are easily portable across a wide array of platforms for maximized programmer productivity and shorter time-to-market.Īll elements of the OpenGL state-even the contents of the texture memory and the frame buffer-can be obtained by an OpenGL application. All licensed OpenGL implementations come from a single specification and language binding document and are required to pass a set of conformance tests.
The well-specified OpenGL standard has language bindings for C, C++, Fortran, Ada, and Java™. OpenGL gives software developers access to geometric and image primitives, display lists, modeling transformations, lighting and texturing, anti-aliasing, blending, and many other features.Įvery conforming OpenGL implementation includes the full complement of OpenGL functions. OpenGL routines simplify the development of graphics software-from rendering a simple geometric point, line, or filled polygon to the creation of the most complex lighted and texture-mapped NURBS curved surface. Simplifies Software Development, Speeds Time-to-Market OpenGL operates on image data as well as geometric primitives The OpenGL Visualization Programming Pipeline Numerous books have been published about OpenGL, and a great deal of sample code is readily available, making information about OpenGL inexpensive and easy to obtain. In addition, OpenGL drivers encapsulate information about the underlying hardware, freeing the application developer from having to design for specific hardware features. Efficient OpenGL routines typically result in applications with fewer lines of code than those that make up programs generated using other graphics libraries or packages. OpenGL is well structured with an intuitive design and logical commands. As a result, applications can scale to any class of machine that the developer chooses to target. OpenGL API-based applications can run on systems ranging from consumer electronics to PCs, workstations, and supercomputers. In this way, innovations appear in the API in a timely fashion, letting application developers and hardware vendors incorporate new features into their normal product release cycles. Backward compatibility requirements ensure that existing applications do not become obsolete.Īll OpenGL applications produce consistent visual display results on any OpenGL API-compliant hardware, regardless of operating system or windowing system.īecause of its thorough and forward-looking design, OpenGL allows new hardware innovations to be accessible through the API via the OpenGL extension mechanism. Additions to the specification are well controlled, and proposed updates are announced in time for developers to adopt changes.
OpenGL implementations have been available for more than seven years on a wide variety of platforms. With broad industry support, OpenGL is the only truly open, vendor-neutral, multiplatform graphics standard. These capabilities allow developers in diverse markets such as broadcasting, CAD/CAM/CAE, entertainment, medical imaging, and virtual reality to produce and display incredibly compelling 2D and 3D graphics.Īn independent consortium, the OpenGL Architecture Review Board, guides the OpenGL specification. Developers can leverage the power of OpenGL across all popular desktop and workstation platforms, ensuring wide application deployment.Īny visual computing application requiring maximum performance-from 3D animation to CAD to visual simulation-can exploit high-quality, high-performance OpenGL capabilities. OpenGL fosters innovation and speeds application development by incorporating a broad set of rendering, texture mapping, special effects, and other powerful visualization functions. Since its introduction in 1992, OpenGL has become the industry's most widely used and supported 2D and 3D graphics application programming interface (API), bringing thousands of applications to a wide variety of computer platforms.
OpenGL is the premier environment for developing portable, interactive 2D and 3D graphics applications.