OpenGL Programming Guide

Appendix C
The OpenGL Utility Library

OpenGL provides a powerful but small set of drawing operations, and all higher-level drawing must be done in terms of these. To help simplify some of your programming tasks, the OpenGL Utility Library (GLU) includes several routines that encapsulate OpenGL commands. Many of these routines are described in earlier chapters as their topics arise; these routines are briefly listed here for completeness. GLU routines that aren't discussed earlier are described in more depth here. Nevertheless, you might want to consult the OpenGL Reference Manual for more detailed descriptions of all these routines. This appendix groups the GLU routines functionally as follows:

• "Manipulating Images for Use in Texturing"
  
  

• "Transforming Coordinates"
  
  

• "Polygon Tessellation"
  
  

• "Rendering Spheres, Cylinders, and Disks"
  
  

• "NURBS Curves and Surfaces"
  
  

• "Describing Errors"

Manipulating Images for Use in Texturing
Transforming Coordinates
Polygon Tessellation
Rendering Spheres, Cylinders, and Disks
NURBS Curves and Surfaces
Describing Errors

OpenGL Programming Guide