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Best 3D Engine Reference Book?

Posted by Cliff on from the the-next-best-thing-to-having-your-own-John-Carmack dept.

Horizon_99 asks: "This is more of an ask John Carmack type question but since he already did this I would like to ask the community what is in your opinion *the* reference book to 3d engine design? And I don't mean a directx for dummies type book but something more along the lines of the physics related to 3d environments and such. Where should I invest my hard earned money for this part-time hobby of mine?"

3 of 13 comments (clear)

  1. There is no one book by Screaming+Lunatic · · Score: 4, Informative
    Game engines consist of a whole bunch of components including but not limited to:

    graphics

    ai

    networking

    database

    physics

    IO

    So you're question is much to general. But to answer your question anyway. Get books by Dave Eberly . 3D Game Engine Design is quite good, even though it is kinda slanted towards the scene graph methodology of feeding the graphics card. Geometric Tools for Computer Graphics is a great mathematical reference book, but I'm kinda biased since I was a tech editor for the book. Game Physics is supposed to be quite good, but I haven't read it.

    In terms of graphics get the OpenGL redbook and bluebook. Realtime Rendering is quite good. And everybody who is anybody in computer graphics has Computer Graphics: Principle & Practices. The Game Programming Gems series is quite good too.

    Other than that, the best way to learn to code is to read through code. id has GPL'd a bunch of their old engines. And the Torque engine is available for about $100.

    That should keep you busy for a while.

  2. Books I've found helpful by LowellPorter · · Score: 5, Informative

    OpenGL SuperBible
    Game Programming Gems Series
    3d Graphics Programming Games and Beyond by Sergei Savchenko
    Michael Abrash's Graphics Programming Black Book (this book is dated)
    3d Game Engine Design by David H. Eberly

  3. Somewhat of a plug by krs-one · · Score: 4, Informative
    As a semi-professional (i.e., I only do it when I have time and someone is willing to pay) engine programmer, I think I can offer some insight.

    First, visit my site, OpenGLForums.com. Its geared toward OpenGL obviously, but there is an abundance of talented 3D programmers there who can share knowledge with you regardless of the rendering API you choose to use.

    With that out of the way, I recommend the following:
    • OpenGL Game Programming - Kevin Hawkins and Dave Astle
    • OpenGL Programming Guide 3rd Edition - Mason Woo, Jackie Neider, and Tom Davis
    • 3D Graphics Programming - Sergei Savchenko
    • Game Programming Gems 1 and 2 - Assorted authors
    • Physics for Game Developers - David Bourg
    Thats just from my personal collection. Unfortunately, there aren't many books on engine design. The most valuable information you'll find is in the communities (like mine from above), or other sites like gamedev.net, flipcode.com, nehe.gamedev.net.

    Good luck with your quest. Its one of the most rewarding ones, I think.

    -Vic