OpenGL Programming Guide

Chapter 3Viewing

Projection Transformations

The previous section described how to compose the desired modelview matrix so that the correct modeling and viewing transformations are applied. This section explains how to define the desired projection matrix, which is also used to transform the vertices in your scene. Before you issue any of the transformation commands described in this section, remember to call

glMatrixMode(GL_PROJECTION);
glLoadIdentity();

so that the commands affect the projection matrix rather than the modelview matrix, and so that you avoid compound projection transformations. Since each projection transformation command completely describes a particular transformation, typically you don't want to combine a projection transformation with another transformation.

The purpose of the projection transformation is to define a viewing volume, which is used in two ways. The viewing volume determines how an object is projected onto the screen (that is, by using a perspective or an orthographic projection), and it defines which objects or portions of objects are clipped out of the final image. You can think of the viewpoint we've been talking about as existing at one end of the viewing volume. At this point, you might want to reread "A Simple Example: Drawing a Cube," for its overview of all the transformations, including projection transformations.

Perspective Projection
Orthographic Projection
Viewing Volume Clipping

OpenGL Programming Guide