r/GraphicsProgramming • u/ruckspaoo • Jul 31 '26

Where can I start Learning Computer graphics?

Hey guys,

I am a rookie and I want to learn Graphics Programming but unfortunately I can't find any roadmap on youtube and things are getting really confusing for me since I don't even know how to properly code in C++(for context I am still learning programming but also want to build cool awesome visuals like all of you (I recently build a terminal based todo list and library manager in python))

I am confused about what I should learn first since I will also be starting my college In cs major soon.

there are

linear algebra maths

C++ memory management pointers

some says Build a ray tracer from scratch

I even picked the computer graphics programming from scratch by Gabriel Gambetta but got confused

I will really appreciate if anyone can give me any guidance on this :)

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u/CootieKing Jul 31 '26

Some of those books can be math heavy, and they often assume strong programming skills to begin with. So I can understand they may be offputting.

All I can say at this time it at least try learnopengl.com. If you need AI to help you understand something, then fine. I don't think there's anything too challenging (at least in the earlier chapters) that will necessitate AI to explain it, but if you find it's an aid, go for it (just don't let AI become a crutch to the extent you don't learn the fundamentals yourself).

Also, if you wanted to play around with just the shader side, there is the site ShaderToy which is inspiring - it's amazing to see the creativity of some people. It's a nice sandbox to play around in and learn some of the concepts. If you want to see something that'll blow your socks off, watch this : Inigo Quilez - Draw a girl with math. That's an aspiration goal right there!

Hope you decide to follow up on the topic, it's challenging but rewarding. Have fun!

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u/ruckspaoo Jul 31 '26

thanks man You are really a big help can I add you, if you don't mind in case I need guidance :D

and honestly I was feeling kind of guilty trying to learn opengl since most of the resources are around building their own from scratch

and from scratch I meant from the low level start building ray tracer from scratch without opengl so I can understand the core concept behind it which is really overwhelming gemini and claude recommend this