What are your resources?

#1 Adib,

Not wanting to bring bad news but I've learnt most of my knowledge from years of being really sad and staying in when perhaps I should of been down the pub. Maybe it's the *huge* collection of graphics rendering / game programming books as well which pile up at a rate of 3-4 a month not one! Or it could be having an unhealthly obsession that keeps me tied to the computer day and night. ;)

Also, I think you'll find that the plants are being done by Bendik Stang, don't want to steal his well deserved thunder.

I've found that you just can't beat writing little prototype apps that play with the graphical effect you're trying to learn. That way you can strip-out all the dead-wood and get on with learning the details of the subject at hand.

I would be glad to compile a list of books on the subject or perhaps even web-sites if you want.

- Melv.

#2 oooh! i'd like that too!

--KallDrexx

#3 Yeah Melv. List em for all to see. We all want to be as nerdy as you.

#4 All hail King Nerd Melv! Lord of the Fanny Packs (Sorry I couldn't resist)

#5 As always, thanks again to the Old M.!

Yes, if you could list your favorite resources (books, sites, etc), it would be great!

I think the best of your post was about doing demos, learn from your own real work. That's it.

#6 Another thought: Try hanging around graphics programming chat rooms and forums, and maybe subscribe to a graphics mailing list. Chatter there quite often tends to be about the cool new tricks that people are trying to implement. That way you can see the new buzzwords, and look further into any that look interesting.

#7 Yes, I'm waiting for these included in Melv's or anybody else's list. If I have a recommendation I can go faster to the best forums and chatrooms.

#8 Will do. I'm at work at the moment, I'll post some links when I get back home.

- Melv.

#9 Hi,

These are but a few of the books that I consider invaluable to a good working knowledge of not only graphics but programming in general. Unfortunately, most of them are pretty expensive so if you're on a tight-budget then the web-links may be more useful.

Alright, not all are great but most! Also, some of these books are advanced but unfortunately I don't have any beginner ones. The web-links are better to grasp a subject and certainly much cheaper!

Books

ISBN: 156881-182-9
Real-Time Rendering (Second Edition)
Tomas Akenine-Moller / Eric Haines

ISBN: 0-0201-84840-6
Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice (Second Edition in C)
Foley / van Dam / Feiner / Hughes

ISBN: 0-201-54412-1
Advanced Animation and Rendering Techniques (Theory and Practice)
Alan Watt / Mark Watt

ISBN: 1-55622-041-3
Direct3D ShaderX - Vertex and Pixel Shaders (Tips an d Tricks)
Wolfgang F. Engel

ISBN: 1-58450-037-9
Mathematics for 3D Game Programming & Computer Graphics
Eric Lengyel

ISBN: 1-57610-425-7
Game Architecture and Design
Andrew Rollings / Dave Morris

Games Programming Gems Series 1/2/3.
Various Authors

ISBN: 1-931841-69-1
Game Programming Tricks of the Trade
Andrew Lamothe

ISBN: 0-7356-088605
Debugging Applications
John Robbins

ISBN: 1-55615-484-4
Code Complete
Steve McConnell

ISBN: 0-201-63362-0
Large-Scale C++ Software Design
John Lakos

ISBN: 1-57231-621-7
Software Project Survival Guide
Steve McConnell


Web-Links

OpenGL
OpenGL Extension Registry
Online OpenGL Manuals (Lookup OpenGL)
Neon Helium OpenGL Tutorials
Romka Graphics
Game Development Search Engine
FlipCode
Amit's Game Programming Information
Code Guru
Code Project
Two Kings Direct3D Totorials
GamaSutra
GameDev.Net
Game Tutorials
Couldn't Resist
Programmers Heaven
Awesome Math Reference
Graphics Glossary


I think that's enough for now. I'm sure people have others.

Hope this helps.

- Melv.

#10 Great list Melv! I see a large portion of my library and a few items for my XMas list.

One book that pops to mind that you didn't mention is: "Writing Solid Code" Sorry I don't have the other details on the book but it's put out by MS press and dovetails nicely with "Code Complete".

And I'd like second your reccomendation of "Game Architecture and Design" that book is fantastic!

#11 Yes, "Game Architecture and Design" is a great book, I had it in my hands some years ago but let it fly away...

I'll take a look in the list when I get home, and send it to the team. I hope I'll be contributing as my project goes, instead of just annoy you.

Thanks, Melv!

#12 If you decide to purchase any then why not buy them from Amazon and use the GarageGames link, perhaps give a little back to GG? :)

- Melv.

#13 Deal!

#14 Excellent list Melv. If folks are interested in doing small testbenches to investigate particular graphics methods, I would suggest actually buying the OpenGL books:

ISBN: 0201-60458-2
OpenGL Programming Guide, Third Edition
OpenGL ARB

ISBN: 0201-65765-2
OpenGL Reference Manual, Third Edition
OpenGL ARB

Other good books:

ISBN: 0772-31361-8
Tricks Of The Windows Game Programming Gurus
Andre LaMothe

ISBN: 0-12-228730-4
Texturing & Modelling, Second Edition
Ebert, et al.


Additionally, I suggest the sites:
Oops, Melv did list the Gama and GameDev (removed)
Sulaco

My favorite sites are: Flipcode (in Melv's list above), GamaSutra (above), and GameDev (above).

Finally, Neon Helium's Site Rocks for the OpenGl Beginner to Expert. See his 36+ tutorials and Buy his CD (only about $30), which is jam packed with great stuff.

Again, great list Melv, hope this helps fill out the list a bit more for those who are interested.

-ed

#15 I have a Game Developer subscription and a Gamasutra login, they are great resources.

I hope the contributions in this thread is helpful to many others, not just me. Thanks everybody.