UE4 Rendering engine and Graphics programming book?

Development Rendering
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1

Hi

Which book I need to study before I start messing with UE4 renderer,RHI and shader code? - Graphics Programming for Unreal Engine | Unreal Engine 5.1 Documentation

Thanks
Indy

2

Hey Indy -

I would suggest some of the following choices in addition to spending some time just looking through the Engine’s API and Source code:

  1. Real Time Rendering ← If you are only going to get one.
  2. 3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Development, 2nd Edition
  3. Mathematics for 3D Game Programming and Computer Graphics, Third Edition
  4. Nvidia GPU Gems, once you have a basic understanding of the work flow

Thank You

Eric Ketchum

3

Thanks for the reply. Eric :slight_smile:
I have couple of questions -
1 Here(https://developer.nvidia.com/sites/default/files/akamai/gameworks/events/gdc14/GDC_14_Bringing%20Unreal%20Engine%204%20to%20OpenGL.pdf)
it says that UE4 uses OpenGl but UE4 adjusts according to the underlying hardware, how this happens?

2
And these all books are theoretical?Right? What about programming books like C++ with Opengl or DIrectX (which one should i buy as UE4 adjusts according to the underlying hardware)?

HLSL?Can you recommend me those books too?

Thanks
Indy

4

Hey Indy -

UE4 uses HLSL as its base language for shader code and converts this scripting into OpenGL shader language in the process of packaging. Programming Books for C++ and HLSL would be a good foundation but there are so many out there. It honestly comes down to which one allows you to understand the concepts better and which one you will most likely read through.

I will ask some of my colleagues to pop on and add books that helped them as well.

Thank You

Eric Ketchum

5

Thanks so much for the reply.
I have found these 3 books - Can you look at them and see if they are helpful.

http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Rendering-Computation-Direct3D-11/dp/1568817207/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423159979&sr=1-1&keywords=practical+rendering+and+computation+with+direct3d+11

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Time-Rendering-DirectX-HLSL-Programming/dp/0321962729/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423160001&sr=1-2&keywords=real+time+rendering

Thanks
Indy

6

Hey Inder -

Sorry for the delay. All of the book s you listed look like good references. Remember though that every API is different and those books will be referencing some APIs that out engine does not specifically use, but understanding them will absolutely help you understand the engine code.

The only book that our entire team mentioned without question or hesitation was the Real Time Rendering.

Good Luck, we cannot wait to see what you develop and if you have specific questions feel free to post here on Answerhub.

Eric Ketchum

7

Thanks so much for the reply Sir :slight_smile:

I have talked to Mr.Chuck who is Senior SDE at Microsoft and he said Introduction to 3D Game Programming uses legacy DirectX SDK(which I think is no longer available but I’m not sure) and Real time 3D Rendering with DirectX and HLSL uses DirectX Tool Kit(Which I think is being currently used and in UE4 too but I’M not sure).

I have one more question - Real Time Rendering 3rd Edition is very heavy on theory and very light on implementation.

Real Time 3D Rendering using DirectX and HLSL is very light on theory and very heavy on implementation.

I think reading both these books and then reading GPU PRO and GPU GEMS.
Am I on Right Track?

Thanks
Indy