Homework 0: Not to be submitted (in class discussion next week)

This project guides you through steps to run OpenGL/GLUT in the CS/IMGD zoolab. OpenGL/GLUT will only run on computers with the right hardware (graphics card). The WPI CS/IMGD Zoolab has PCs with adequate hardware for this class. We will use the zoolab for this class. To do Homework 0, you have to physically go to the CS/IMGD zoolab and follow the steps below.

Homework 0: Using OpenGL/GLUT in the CS/IMGD Zoolab

Step 1: Finding out what version of OpenGL your zoolab machine's graphics card supports: The very first thing you need to do is determine if your video card can support GPU programming. Specifically, you are looking to see if your graphic card supports OpenGL version 4.3 or later. To determine your card's capabilities for you, try the Glinfo application located here: (GLinfo2.exe). This application will tell you what OpenGL version your card supports and a list of extensions your card supports. Run the GLinfo2 application, make sure you have OpenGL 4.3 or higher.

Step 2: Running a working Shader application : Next, try downloading the following full blown application that uses shaders and playing with it. The rendering application to test your machine's shader abilities is located here GLSLDemo.zip. GLSLDemo is a Win32-only application. Although the source code is provided on the authors Website, it will only work on machines that support OpenGL shaders. Unzip the application to a computer with a programmable GPU. The executable file is located in the "bin" directory of the demo application. Double-click on the executable to open the application. Try playing with it by changing the shape rendered, the textures used and other rendering modes. If GLSLDemo runs okay, you are done with this test!

Step 3: Compiling Shader application : Download and unzip the following zip file [ Here ] . This zip archive contains a working OpenGL program. All you have to do in this test is to compile this working program and run it. Visual Studio 2015 is already installed on the Zoolab machines. Open the folder Graphics_Starting_Code\ and double-click on the Visual Studio file GLSLExperiment_files.sln to open it. Hit Ctrl-F5 to compile and run the program. It should display a red triangle on a white background on the screen. If the shape is drawn, you are done with this test! You are now able to compile OpenGL and shader programs.

mailto:emmanuel@cs.wpi.edu