open graphics language

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library or Language) is a standardization for the interfaces of 3D graphics cards, originating from IRIS GL from Silicon Graphics (SGI).

The independent Architecture Review Board( ARB) has been defining the GL standard since 1992. It includes companies such as Apple, AMD/ATI, Dell, IBM, Intel, Nvidia and Matrox. As one of the founders, Microsoft ended its membership in 2003. Since 2006, the further development of the OpenGL API has been in the hands of the Khronos Group.

OpenGL was preceded by the Fahrenheit project, with which Silicon Graphics and Microsoft planned in 1997 to unite their 3D standards into a graphics architecture. The project was cancelled unsuccessfully in 1998. The OpenGL API can be implemented through system libraries or as part of graphics card drivers and can interface with Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Android and Apple iOS operating systems.

Around 250 commands can be used to render 3D models in real time, with the computer's graphics hardware passing standard commands through the interface to the built-in graphics chips. This saves developers complicated hardware-related programming units and makes their software compatible with all OpenGL-capable graphics chips. OpenGL uses all required parameters in a function call as long as they have the same values. Typical applications are Computer Aided Design( CAD), Virtual Reality( VR) and Augmented Reality( AR), computer games or simulations.

Extensions to OpenGL are predominantly coming from graphics card manufacturers. As other companies adopt them, they are standardized and suffixed by the Architecture Review Board. An alternative to OpenGL is Direct3D, which is, however, limited to Windows. Unlike OpenGL, this application programming interface (API) uses a left-handed coordinate system.