How OpenGL works: software renderer in 500 lines of code
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2007–2026One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.
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HN comment orderThis is great and so concise, but I'm surprised that the author didn't implement OpenGL's interface (obviously not all of it), if the goal is to show how OpenGL works. Another good example of this is Trenki's software renderer for the GPX2[1], which implements a shader architecture if memory serves. I haven't looked at it for many years, but I remember it being a useful resource when learning this stuff. Other useful resources are, of course, Michael Abrash's Graphics Programming…
More resources like this if you are interested: If you want to understand how the GPU driver thinks under the hood read through https://fgiesen.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/a-trip-through-the-... If you want to see the OpenGL state machine in action, check out https://webglfundamentals.org/webgl/lessons/resources/webgl-...
Previous discussion [1] How OpenGL works: software renderer in 500 lines of code (github.com) 363 points by gregorymichael 200 days ago [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11264469
There are a few things I cannot find tutorials for within OpenGL: - 3D Camera with no gimbal lock. - Paging landscape - Tutorial showing what you can and cannot move into shader scripts
The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.
- Breakout years
- 2
- Total points
- 843
- Total comments
- 88
100+ points or 50+ comments
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
Every submission
| Date | Title as submitted | By | Points | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-03-10 | How OpenGL Works: S/W Renderer in 500 Lines of Code | signa11 | 6 | 0 |
| 2016-03-10 | How OpenGL works: software renderer in 500 lines of code | adamnemecek | 10 | 3 |
| 2016-03-11 | How OpenGL works: software renderer in 500 lines of codeFirst breakout · Best thread | gregorymichael | 363 | 36 |
| 2016-09-26 | How OpenGL works: software rendering in 500 lines of code | WoodenChair | 133 | 11 |
| 2022-03-15 | TinyRenderer – how OpenGL works: software rendering in 500 lines of codeLatest 20+ point return | graderjs | 328 | 38 |
| 2025-03-13 | Tiny renderer or how OpenGL works: software rendering in 500 lines of codeHall induction | Tomte | 3 | 0 |