The OpenGL Beginner

I was browsing through nehe.gamedev.net because I am trying to learn OpenGL and found your code. I am a beginner and was wondering how to actually begin using OpenGL. Do I use it as if I were writing code on a unix shell using vi or do I use it with Visual C++? What I'm trying to ask is how do I start? I have an OpenGL CD, am I supposed to use that? Does GLUT have anything to do with this? I'd really appreciate it if you could help me with this. Thanks.

-John

Heya.

First off, check out the OpenGL Red Book from the library (or better yet, buy it), its probably the best resource for learning OpenGL as a whole.

Also download the NeHe basecode while you're at it, linked at http://nehe.gamedev.net/ on the left somewhere.

As for whether to use vi or Visual C++ or whatnot, that's up to you… that's just an IDE choice- whatever's most comfortable. I use Visual C++, but again it really doesn't matter much.

Essentially the style of code you write with OpenGL isn't really any different than any other library. You can just treat it as standard Win32 API calls, read the “red book” linked above and everything will be ok.