This may be a very newbie question. However, I would just like to know if knowledge about the OpenGL and LWJGL APIs are pre-requisites for using the jME API. My current guess is no, because it seems like (through beginner's examples in the Starter Tutorials) I can create and edit geometries, color and lighting with only jME class instances and calls to jME methods. Is it correct to say that jME provides an abstraction for LWJGL as LWJGL does for OpenGL? I have seen people referencing the "red book" and have actually borrowed the OpenGL Programming Guide from the library but have not really used it except for finding out what ambient, diffuse, specular and emissive means. Would knowledge of OpenGL and LWJGL be recommended for stuff that is more advanced than those in the starter tutorials? Thanks.
OpenGL knowledge definitely a plus for understanding how the insides of rendering work. With jME1/2 it's especially useful since the RenderStates are very light-weight wrappers over OpenGL state and so understanding what RenderStates do really lies in understanding the relevant parts in OpenGL.
As for LWJGL, it is really just a binding that allows you to interface with OpenGL in Java, there's really not much to understand about LWJGL even if you're using it.
Well from my expirience knowing what te lighting means is enough.
I don't know any opengl command^^
If you wnt to write shaders you have to learn glsl a well, but rest is more or less taken care of by the engine.
and you can use JOGL with JME 2 & 3. LWJGL is not the only OpenGL binding for Java.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Momoko_Fan said:
OpenGL knowledge definitely a plus for understanding how the insides of rendering work. With jME1/2 it's especially useful since the RenderStates are very light-weight wrappers over OpenGL state and so understanding what RenderStates do really lies in understanding the relevant parts in OpenGL.
Does it mean that knowledge on OpenGL states would not be as crucial in jME3 as in jME1 and 2? Thanks.
pragmaticleas said:
Does it mean that knowledge on OpenGL states would not be as crucial in jME3 as in jME1 and 2? Thanks.
Yeah, although it really depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to use the stencil buffer for example, you must know how the OpenGL state works there's no other way. If your program consists of just scenes with textured models knowing the states isn't needed.