[vtkusers] VTK Textbook vs OpenGL Manual

[tom fogal]

 <d926602e876a74fea82ea54954b44d3a at ist.utl.pt>Paulo Tribolet Abreu writes:
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>However, although I'll be doing some assignments in OpenGL, I really 
>want to learn enough to start programming in VTK. So I'm considering 
>not buying the OpenGL book, and instead buy the VTK Textbook (I'll buy 
>the VTK User Guide anyway). So my question is, for those that read the 
>VTK Textbook, is this the correct decision? Or is the VTK Textbook not 
>enough to learn general 3D programming? For specific OpenGL issues, 

You are right that for OpenGL specific issues, everything you'd want to
know online. I would guess that any course difficulties will not be
related to OpenGL however, but rather with what you are using OpenGL to
do.

I would highly recommend a good 3D graphics book. I would personally
recommend Shirley's, as I took a course with it and it proved to be
very helpful. Foley and van Dam (sp?) also gets good reviews.

The VTK textbook will teach you how to use VTK. I would not recommend
it unless you are really going for the quick and dirty, "get a vis. app
done as soon as possible". The fact that youre taking a course on the
subject (or at least as close a subject as possible) says to me that
youre interested in doing things "right" (kudos!).

-tom

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