The OpenGL Volumizer API is a library of C++ classes that facilitates the display and manipulation of volumetric shapes. This guide provides a developer's introduction to the API in two parts: Part One describes all the basic concepts in Volumizer and the most-commonly used classes in the API. A full-length, annotated example application shows the Volumizer concepts and API in context.
Part Two of the book presents advanced topics, including concepts, classes, and methods not presented in Part One.
This book is intended for C++ developers of volumetric applications who understand the basic concepts of computer graphics programming.
Familiarity with OpenGL concepts and programmatic interfaces is strongly recommended.
The first chapter introduces you to the central concepts of OpenGL Volumizer. These concepts are described in terms of the OpenGL Volumizer API in Chapter 2. Chapter 2 also presents a step-by-step guide for creating a OpenGL Volumizer application.
Subsequent chapters explore the OpenGL Volumizer API in greater detail in a task-oriented format.
This book contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1, “Volumizer Advantages,” provides an overview of OpenGL Volumizer and lists its advantages.
Chapter 2, “Basic Concepts in Volumizer,” describes, at a high level, the important concepts you need to understand before developing an OpenGL Volumizer application.
Chapter 3, “Programming Template,” describes in terms of the OpenGL Volumizer API the concepts discussed in Chapter 1. This chapter also presents the basic steps you take to create your own OpenGL Volumizer application.
Chapter 4, “Sample OpenGL Volumizer Application,” presents annotated code for a sample OpenGL Volumizer application.
Chapter 5, “Volumizer API at a Glance,” provides a high-level overview of the entire API.
Chapter 6, “Volumetric Geometry,” describes the OpenGL Volumizer classes that relate to creating volumetric geometry.
Chapter 7, “Volumetric Appearance,” describes the OpenGL Volumizer classes that relate to applying appearances to volumetric geometry.
Chapter 8, “Customized Volume Drawing,” describes how to create your own draw action for rendering volumes.
Appendix A, “Volume Rendering Examples,” presents OpenGL and OpenInventor examples using the OpenGL Volumizer API.
A glossary and index follow the appendix.
This revision incorporates the following changes:
Added descriptions for three previously undocumented parameters of voAppearanceActions::getBestParameters():
partialBrickType
diskDataFormat
subdivideMode
Updated the description of dataConvert to accommodate diskDataFormat.
Added a new section to Chapter 7, “Volumetric Appearance,” to describe modifying voxels.
Made miscellaneous editing corrections.
The following are found in IRIS InSight:
IRIS Performer Programming Guide (SGI_Developer bookshelf)
MIPS Compiling and Performance Tuning Guide (SGI_Developer bookshelf)
For information on dynamically shared objects (DSOs).
OpenGL on Silicon Graphics Systems (SGI_Developer bookshelf)
Farin, Gerald. Curves and Surface for Computer Aided Geometric Design. San Diego, CA.: Academic Press, Inc., 1988.
D. Voorhies and J. Foran, “Reflection Vector Shading Hardware” in Computer Graphics Proceedings, Annual Conference Series, ACM, 1994.
The OpenGL WWW Center at http://www.sgi.com/Technology/OpenGL.
The following are all produced by Addison-Wesley Publishing:
Foley, J. D., A. VanDam, S. K. Feiner, and J. F. Hughes, Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice, 1990.
Gamma, E., R. Helm, R. Johnson, J. Vlissides, Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software, 1995.
Kilgard, M. J., Programming OpenGL for the X Window System, 1996. (Also known as “the Green book.”)
Watt, A. and M. Watt, Advanced Animation and Rendering Techniques: Theory and Practice, 1992. Note Chapter 6, “Mapping Techniques: Texture and Environment Mapping.”
Wernecke, J., The Inventor Mentor: Programming Object-Oriented 3D Graphics with Open Inventor, 1994.
Wernecke, J., The Inventor Toolmaker, 1994.
All class and function names, and other literals in the OpenGL Volumizer API have names that begin with prefix vo, followed by a string beginning with an upper case letter, for example, voBrick. Related utilities use vout prefix, for example voutPerfMeter.
These type conventions and symbols are used in this guide:
| Bold | C++ class names, C++ member functions, C++ data members, and function names. | |
| Italics | Filenames, manual/book titles, new terms, and variables. | |
| Fixed-width type |
| |
| Bold fixed-width type |
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| ALL CAPS | Environment variables, defined constants. | |
| () (Bold Parentheses) |
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