Introduction¶

Source code¶

This book references source code, which is at https://github.com/billsix/modelviewprojection

Approach¶

This book takes a “mistake-driven development” approach: instead of handing you polished math formulae, it walks you through building complex graphics applications step by step. Along the way, we’ll make mistakes—and then fix them—so you can see how solutions emerge in real-world programming.

You’ll learn how to place objects in space, draw them relative to others, add a camera that moves over time based on user input, and transform all those objects into the 2D pixel coordinates of your screen. By the end, you’ll understand the foundations of creating first-person and third-person applications or games. The goal? To empower you to build the graphics programs you want, using math you mostly already know.

This book keeps things intentionally simple. The applications we create won’t be particularly pretty or realistic-looking. For more advanced topics, you’ll want to dive into references like the OpenGL “Red Book ” and “Blue Book,” or explore some of the tutorials listed at the end.

1. LearnOpenGL

2. OpenGLTutorial

While this book fills a huge gap by focusing on the basics in a hands -on way, those other books are fantastic references for diving into advanced topics.

Pre-requisities¶

1. Basic programming concepts in Python.

   1. YouTube videos

      1. Learn Python with Socratica

      2. Microsoft Python Tutorials

   2. Books

      1. https://learnbyexample.github.io/100_page_python_intro/preface.html

      2. https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/

2. High school trigonometry

3. Linear Algebra (optional)

   1. 3Blue1Brown - Linear Transformations

   2. 3Blue1Brown - Matrix Multiplication as Composition

Required Software¶

You will need to install Python. https://realpython.com/installing-python/

Before running this code, you need a virtual environment, with dependencies installed. https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/venv.html

python -m venv venv
cd venv\Scripts
activate.bat
cd ..\..\
python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt

cd venv\Scripts
activate.bat
cd ..\..\
spyder

python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

source venv/bin/activate
spyder