A new guy approacheth

[ballaw]

Hey guys, I just discovered this site and would like to confirm that I am human (not necessarily 100%). I have been coding off and on for about 2 years. Most of what I've done has been low-level C coding for hardware and a bit of OS stuff. I also write lots of Python scripts for getting simple everyday stuff done.

I have little experience with real graphics programming outside of fractals and basic 2d games like and Space invaders. I have been reading the openGL bible and Fundamentals of Computer Graphics by Peter Shirley. I am having a hard time making the transition from theory to hunkering down and making something cool. These books seem to be pretty far from actually making a demo. Do you guys know of any resources that could maybe walk me through something closer to how a Demo is actually made?

[LittleWhite]

Hello,

A demo is just a sequence of effects. So, let's say, you know how to code rotating cube in OpenGL, rotating triangle and some other rotating spheres . To make a demo, you have just to find a way to sequence these three effects and you are done (or nearly). To add the final touch, you have to add music (to sync it since it's better) and to add camera moves, respects screen and there you are

[ballaw]

Oh is that all? The demos I find interesting are not as simple as geometric objects spinning around. Take "Spin" by asd for example. That demo has no regular polygons in sight. But I'm a beginner so what do I know.

[LittleWhite]

I started by the beginning

Ok, it's not that easy, but well, in fact it is (fuzzy logic ?)
I mean that, as when you are learning a new programming language, you will start by this "Hello World". Same for demos, you will start with one rotating cubes and then you will try to add cubes, to morph cubes, to change colours and to add lots of polished things and then, it will looks like a real demo similar to the one you loves.
Do you see my point ?
Just go and play around. Take one idea (or one effect) try to reproduce it (we are all starting by reproducing stuff).

Don't forget to read on internet, technical papers, blogs, tutorials related to demoscene or not

If I can give you a starting point, you said you made some OpenGL. Did you look at shaders ? Did you learn to use these ? Did  you look at FBO ?
There are the base of 3D applications nowadays.

[hellfire]

Do you guys know of any resources that could maybe walk me through something closer to how a Demo is actually made?

That's actually very simple: Just do a dozen of jawdropping effects and show them synchronized to an amazing soundtrack

[hildegard]

Hello!

I am also new, both to this forum and to demo programming. I found this looking through the tutorial forum: http://elsewhere.stc.cx/demoprogramming/ It's not about graphics, but about timing and synchronization and some other tips. I actually think it was a very valuable seminar. I personally think a simple demo with good music and synchronization is better than a demo with just amazing graphics.