OpenGL project

yer_averagejoe · 19 Jan 2007 at 16:07

Hi, I've just started Opengl in uni and our first project is to create an opengl scene. This means anything really, as long as it shows a good understanding of opengl and isn't just a box floating in space

I'm looking for ideas. Anyone got any suggestions as to what I can do? Ideally I'd like it to have a bit of a physics element to it, not just a room, id like to get into physics/maths simulations. Bearing in mind I'm a N00b to this and not that great a programmer, is there anything thats relitively easy to program that still looks pretty cool?

I like the look of these screensavers that work on various mathematical equations. Obviously they're probably pretty complicated but anything in this general area would be excellent.

Cheers.

Joe

Una · 19 Jan 2007 at 16:18

You want to check out the tutorials on here,

http://nehe.gamedev.net/

Very good opengl resource and may give you some ideas.

happytechie · 19 Jan 2007 at 16:22

any random terrain generator would be cool, think mountains with tree lined valleys, snow capped peaks and some random roads

Paul

Shoseki · 19 Jan 2007 at 16:32

I'd start by making sure you have your graphics context set up, a simple GLUT window will suffice, with perhaps a simple sphere in it. A nice next step would be to put a simple flat grid of triangles into the scene. Then if you want, you could use some DEM data to give your mesh height, and voila you have a landscape. Simply add a sphere for a sun, and some simple trees based on triangles etc. You could billboards for the trees if you are feeling confident. Next, if you are feeling up to it, you could use an open source 3d file format parser to import some geomtry into the scene, as long as you make clear which parts of the work are yours, its still work credit.

MrWhippy · 19 Jan 2007 at 20:54

when i did openGL at uni, many moons ago, the first assignment was, model the solar system in as much detail as you like. most of us got all the planets orbiting in roughly correct ratio (size and separation not to scale) and coloured roughly right. a couple of whizkids texture mapped the planets and got 100%.

if i remember right, one line of code changed and all the planets became teapots

yer_averagejoe · 20 Jan 2007 at 01:54

thats exactly what i was thinking of doing. Seems quite simple really. I mean i can almost do that already i reckon. I'd like to have an option of sending a comet through the system and see the effects mavity has on it (speeded up and not to scale of course).

Topgun · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:21

What about a simulation of the solar system?