OpenGL Programming Guide

Glossary

current matrix

A matrix that transforms coordinates in one coordinate system to coordinates of another system. There are three current matrices in OpenGL: the modelview matrix transforms object coordinates (coordinates specified by the programmer) to eye coordinates; the perspective matrix transforms eye coordinates to clip coordinates; the texture matrix transforms specified or generated texture coordinates as described by the matrix. Each current matrix is the top element on a stack of matrices. Each of the three stacks can be manipulated with OpenGL matrix-manipulation commands.

OpenGL Programming Guide