The Basics Tutorial Series

This tutorial series covers the basics of programming computer graphics. Coming into this series, I assume you can already program, but we'll cover pretty much everything beyond that.

This series will cover topics including opening a desktop window, writing GPU shaders, and rendering models on screen. By the end, you should have a good feeling for how graphics programming is done, you should understand all the key concepts involved, and feel comfortable to imagine and implement your own visual effects.

Let's make this easy.

Just tell me what you use, and I'll adjust the lessons for you.

All the code should be completely cross-platform, I only ask which operating system so I can tailor the lessons to you.

Language

C++

Python

JavaScript

Platform

Windows

Linux

IDE

Command Line

Note: More choices on the way soon!

Select a lesson

Note: These lessons are currently on hold. Just as they started being written using the SDL2 library, SDL3 was announced as in development. Given that SDL3 has some incredible new features, I've chosen to wait until it's available before porting the existing lessons to it and continuing on!

Introduction and Setting Up

Introduction And Seting Up Python Windows Command Line

Introduction and Setting Up

Introduction And Seting Up Python Linux Command Line

Introduction and Setting Up

Introduction And Seting Up JavaScript Windows Command Line

Introduction and Setting Up

Introduction And Seting Up JavaScript Linux Command Line

Introduction and Setting Up

Creating A Window C++ Windows Command Line

Lesson 1: Creating a Window

Creating A Window C++ Linux Command Line

Lesson 1: Creating a Window

Creating A Window Python Windows Command Line

Lesson 1: Creating a Window

Creating A Window Python Linux Command Line

Lesson 1: Creating a Window

Creating a Canvas Webgl JavaScript Windows Command Line

Lesson 1: Creating a Canvas

Creating a Canvas Webgl JavaScript Linux Command Line

Lesson 1: Creating a Canvas

Lesson 2: Becoming Interactive

Becoming Interactive JavaScript Windows Command Line

Lesson 2: Becoming Interactive

Becoming Interactive JavaScript Linux Command Line

Lesson 2: Becoming Interactive

Lesson 3: Window Mastery

Lesson 3: Window Mastery

My First Triangle Part A C++ Windows Command Line

Lesson 4: My First Triangle Part A

My First Triangle Part B C++ Windows Command Line

Lesson 4: My First Triangle Part B

My First Triangle Part A C++ Linux Command Line

Lesson 4: My First Triangle Part A

My First Triangle Part B C++ Linux Command Line

Lesson 4: My First Triangle Part B

Lesson 5: Adding Colour

Lesson 5: Adding Colour

Working With Vertices C++ Windows Command Line

Lesson 6: Working With Vertices

Working With Vertices C++ Linux Command Line

Lesson 6: Working With Vertices

Lesson 7: Camerawork

Lesson 8: Mouse Control

Lesson 9: Movement

Lesson 10: Textures

Lesson 10: Textures

Lesson 11: Model Loading

Lesson 11: Model Loading

Lesson 12: Entities

Lesson 12: Entities