Own the context ↗
Weeks 1–2Create an explicit OpenGL context and connect C++ resource ownership to its lifetime.
This chapter’s project
Your own clear-color variation, driver report, and destruction diagram.
← All six courses01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 Read the source.
Volume 02 · 16 flexible weeks
The Shader Workshop
Make the GPU your canvas.
Learn OpenGL directly in Parallax: context and resource lifetime, vertex input, shader interfaces, cameras, textures, lighting, render targets, and a scene of your own.
Open my weekly workbench ↗THE PROJECT / Chromatic Observatory
Bring with you
Your finish line
Build an interactive OpenGL scene, inspect a frame, and explain its CPU/GPU interfaces and ownership.
Your sketchbook / 8 chapters
Two weeks per chapter: understand and build, then investigate and finish. Repeat any week.
From bytes to a draw ↗
Weeks 3–4Build a vertex layout and indexed observation panel whose buffer bounds and VAO state you can explain.
This chapter’s project
An original four-vertex panel, index-range test, and byte-layout sketch.
A shader is a contract ↗
Weeks 5–6Build reliable shader diagnostics and a transactional program update with explicit interface requirements.
This chapter’s project
Your pulse control and last-good-program reload with two explained diagnostics.
A room around the panel ↗
Weeks 7–8Implement a tested transform convention and a bounded interactive camera for the observatory room.
This chapter’s project
Your orbitable three-object observatory, transform tests, and camera-reset behavior.
Give surfaces a language ↗
Weeks 9–10Create a bounded texture upload and an explicit linear-light/sRGB workflow for original exhibit labels.
This chapter’s project
A generated label and floor texture, an upload-layout test, and a color-pipeline diagram.
Light the exhibits ↗
Weeks 11–12Implement a small, documented lighting model with correct normal handling and controllable materials.
This chapter’s project
Your diffuse/highlight shader, normal-debug mode, and controlled contact sheet.
A frame in passes ↗
Weeks 13–14Add an owned offscreen target, deliberate depth/blend state, and one postprocessing effect.
This chapter’s project
Your resize-safe color/depth target, one transparent object, and one original post effect.
Finish the observatory ↗
Weeks 15–16Complete a bounded shadow/instancing study and package the project with debugging and performance evidence.
This chapter’s project
Your original observatory, shadow debug capture, repeated-marker comparison, and concise case study.
Keep your hands on the work
Read the source.
Change one decision.
The companion explains its build steps, tested behavior, and remaining learner work. Keep your own contribution clear as the project grows.