GPU Skinning of MD5 Models in OpenGL and Cg

Bob with Lamp (GPU Skinning)

Bob with Lamp (GPU Skinning)

This tutorial builds upon the previous article titled [Loading and Animating MD5 Models with OpenGL]. It is highly recommended that you read the previous article before following this one. In this tutorial, I will extend the MD5 model rendering to provide support for GPU skinning. I will also provide an example shader that will perform the vertex skinning in the vertex shader and do per-fragment lighting on the model using a single point light. For a complete discussion on lighting in CgFX, you can refer to my previous article titled [Transformation and Lighting in Cg].
Continue reading

3D Math Primer for Game Programmers (Matrices)


The Matrix

The Matrix

In this article, I will discuss matrices and operations on matrices. It is assumed that the reader has some experience with Linear Algebra, vectors, operations on vectors, and a basic understanding of matrices.

Continue reading

3D Math Primer for Game Programmers (Coordinate Systems)

Left-hand Rule

Left-hand Rule

In this article, I would like to provide a brief math primer for people who would like to get involved in game programming.  This is not an exhaustive explanation of all the math theory that one will have to know in order to be a successful game programmer, but it’s the very minimum amount of information that is necessary to know before you can begin as a game programmer.

This article assumes you have a minimum understanding vectors, and matrices.  I will simply show applications of vectors and matrices and how they apply to game programming.

Continue reading