7 Best-Selling OpenGL ES Books Millions Love

The breakthrough moment came when Aaftab Munshi, a key figure behind the OpenGL ES specifications, translated his deep industry knowledge into this guide. You’ll gain a clear understanding of shader programming for mobile and embedded devices, including how to write, compile, and link shaders, and optimize advanced rendering techniques like per-pixel lighting and particle systems. Munshi’s insider perspective demystifies the differences between OpenGL and OpenGL ES, making this an essential read if you want to master graphics programming on portable platforms. If you’re developing sophisticated 3D applications for handhelds, this book delivers a thorough, practical foundation without unnecessary jargon.

What started as Romain Marucchi-Foino's personal challenge to bridge desktop and mobile graphics programming evolved into a guide that equips you with hands-on skills in OpenGL ES 2.0 for iOS and Android. You’ll learn to build graphically rich apps and games by working through live code projects, exploring everything from geometry and lighting to character animation. The book dives deep into balancing aesthetic appeal with functional performance on embedded systems, making it ideal if you want to master hardware-accelerated rendering. If you’re aiming to create mobile applications that stand out visually and technically, this book offers a clear path without unnecessary complexity.

This tailored book explores customized shader programming approaches designed to overcome the unique challenges of OpenGL ES. It delves into core concepts such as shader construction, rendering optimizations, and graphical effects while aligning with your specific background and skill level. By focusing on your personal goals and interests, this book reveals techniques that enhance your understanding of mobile 3D graphics development. The content combines widely validated knowledge with your custom preferences, providing a learning experience that is both relevant and deeply engaging. This personalized guide addresses the complexities of OpenGL ES with clarity and enthusiasm, making advanced graphics programming accessible and practical.

Dave Astle and Dave Durnil bring their combined expertise in game development to explore OpenGL ES, focusing on how this standard shapes graphics programming on embedded systems. You’ll learn to navigate the differences between OpenGL and OpenGL ES, understand the challenges unique to mobile game development such as fixed point math and device limitations, and get practical guidance on deploying games across multiple mobile platforms. Chapters detail the use of EGL for windowing and delve into carrier distribution processes, making this a solid resource if you have some C++ and OpenGL background and want to extend your skills to mobile environments. The book’s focus on real constraints in mobile hardware prepares you for realistic development scenarios rather than idealized cases.

What started as a need to demystify OpenGL ES for Android developers led Kevin Brothaler to write this guide. You’ll move beyond surface-level graphics programming by building a simple air hockey game, learning how to initialize OpenGL, write shaders, and handle 3D projections step-by-step. Brothaler’s focus on teaching you how and why OpenGL ES 2.0 works sets this book apart from typical manuals, making it ideal if you want to create live wallpapers or games that leverage advanced effects like particles and lighting. If you know Java and crave a hands-on approach to mastering graphics on Android, this book aligns well with your goals.

Dan Ginsburg, founder of Upsample Software and coauthor of the OpenCL Programming Guide, brings deep expertise in 3D graphics and GPU computing to this second edition. You’ll explore the full OpenGL ES 3.0 API and shading language, learning to implement features like shadow mapping, instancing, and multiple render targets through clear C-based examples. The book guides you from basic rendering techniques to advanced effects like per-pixel lighting and particle systems, with detailed platform-specific instructions for iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. If you’re developing graphics-intensive apps or games for embedded systems, this book offers a thorough technical foundation without unnecessary fluff.

This tailored book explores a clear, step-by-step plan to advance your OpenGL ES skills specifically for mobile graphics development. It covers fundamental concepts like shader programming and rendering pipelines, then moves into practical techniques for optimizing performance and creating compelling 3D visuals. The content is tailored to match your background and focuses on your specific learning goals, ensuring the material is relevant and engaging. By combining widely validated knowledge with your personal interests, it reveals how to build mobile graphics projects effectively in just 30 days. This personalized approach helps you concentrate on what truly matters to accelerate your mastery of OpenGL ES.

What started as a challenge to help Android developers navigate the emerging 3D game space, Robert Chin crafted this book to guide you through building engaging 3D games on Android 5.0 using Java and OpenGL ES 2.0. You’ll work through a detailed case study game called Drone Grid, which exemplifies advanced shader techniques and modular code design, giving you hands-on experience with vertex and fragment shaders. This book suits those eager to create and publish their own Android 3D games, particularly if you want to understand the technical underpinnings behind game graphics and interactivity. It’s a solid resource if you’re serious about mastering Android game development, though beginners with no programming background might find it demanding.

Kari Pulli and his co-authors bring decades of hands-on experience in visual computing to this detailed guide on mobile 3D graphics programming. You’ll learn how to harness OpenGL ES and M3G APIs to create rich, interactive 3D applications tailored for mobile devices, from cell phones to gaming consoles. The book dives deep into practical topics like efficient rendering, texture mapping, lighting, and animation techniques, supported by extensive working code examples in C/C++ and Java. If you’re a software engineer or graphics developer aiming to master real-time 3D graphics on mobile platforms, this book offers a thorough grounding and expert insights that remain relevant despite evolving technologies.