3D Graphics Programming with QuickDraw 3D 1.5.4

Using QuickDraw 3D

This section describes the most basic ways of using QuickDraw 3D. In particular, it provides source code examples that show how you can

determine whether QuickDraw 3D is available
initialize a connection to QuickDraw 3D and later close that connection
create and configure geometric objects in a three-dimensional model
specify a group of lights to illuminate those objects
create a camera to specify a point of view and a method of projecting the three-dimensional model to create a two-dimensional image of the model
render (that is, draw) the model

For complete details on any of these topics, you should read the corresponding chapter later in this book. For example, see the chapter "Light Objects" for complete information about the types of lights provided by QuickDraw 3D.

The code samples shown in this section provide only very rudimentary error handling. You should read the chapter "Error Manager" to learn how to write and register an application-defined error-handling routine, or how to determine explicitly which errors have occurred during the execution of QuickDraw 3D routines.

QuickDraw 3D currently is supported for the PowerPC version of the Mac OS and for the Win32 API. It exists as a shared library, in two forms:

An optimized version of the QuickDraw 3D shared library is available for end users of those applications and other products.
A debugging version is available for use by developers while writing their applications or other software products. The debugging version provides more extensive information than the optimized version. For instance, the debugging version of QuickDraw 3D issues errors, warnings, and notices at the appropriate times; the optimized version issues only errors and warnings.

Using QuickDraw 3D

Compiling Your Application

Initializing and Terminating QuickDraw 3D

Creating a Model

Configuring a Window

Creating Lights

Creating a Draw Context

Creating a Camera

Creating a View

Rendering a Model