A comprehensive guide to learning fundamental 3D mathematical principles used in games and computer graphics by example

Key Features

Get acquainted with the essential mathematics needed to describe, simulate, and render 3D creations

Construct and manipulate 3D animated environments using Python, Pygame, and PyOpenGL

Develop vertex and fragment shaders in OpenGL shader language to speed up rendering

Book Description

Mathematics is an essential skill when it comes to graphics and game development, particularly if you want to understand the generation of real-time computer graphics and the manipulation of objects and environments in a detailed way. Python, together with Pygame and PyOpenGL, provides you with the opportunity to explore these features under the hood, revealing how computers generate and manipulate 3D environments. Mathematics for Game Programming and Computer Graphics is an exhaustive guide to getting “back to the basics” of mathematics, using a series of problem-based, practical exercises to explore ideas around drawing graphic lines and shapes, applying vectors and vertices, constructing and rendering meshes, and working with vertex shaders. By leveraging Python, Pygame, and PyOpenGL, you’ll be able to create your own mathematics-based engine and API that will be used throughout to build applications. By the end of this graphics focussed book, you’ll have gained a thorough understanding of how essential mathematics is for creating, rendering, and manipulating 3D virtual environments and know the secrets behind today’s top graphics and game engines.

What you will learn

Get up and running with Python, Pycharm, Pygame, and PyOpenGL

Experiment with different graphics API drawing commands

Review basic trigonometry and how it’s important in 3D environments

Apply vectors and matrices to move, orient, and scale 3D objects

Render 3D objects with textures, colors, shading, and lighting

Work with vertex shaders for faster GPU-based rendering

Who this book is for

This book is for programmers who want to enhance their 3D mathematics skills relating to computer graphics and computer games. Knowledge of high school–level mathematics and a working understanding in an object-orientated language is needed to grasp the contents present in this book.