The Khronos Group today announced the release of the OpenGL
4.1 specification, bringing the very latest graphics
functionality to the widely adopted cross-platform 2D and 3D
graphics API.
OpenGL 4.1 is the sixth update to OpenGL specification in
two years. This new version continues to maintain full
backwards compatibility to enable developers to begin using
new features whenever they choose, while portably accessing
GPU functionality across diverse operating systems and
platforms.
The OpenGL 4.1 specification has been defined by the OpenGL
ARB (Architecture Review Board) working group at Khronos,
and includes the GLSL 4.10 update to the OpenGL Shading
language and is accompanied by a number of extensions
introducing functionality to the OpenGL standard. The full
specification is available for immediate download at
http://www.opengl.org/registry.
New functionality in the core OpenGL 4.1 specification
includes:
- Full compatibility with OpenGL ES 2.0 APIs for easier
porting between mobile and desktop platforms;
- The ability to query and load a binary for shader program
objects to save re-compilation time;
- The capability to bind programs individually to
programmable stages for programming flexibility;
- 64-bit floating-point component vertex shader inputs for
higher geometric precision;
- Multiple viewports for a rendering surface for increased
rendering flexibility.
New ARB extensions introduced with OpenGL 4.1 include:
- OpenGL sync objects linked to OpenCL event objects for
enhanced OpenCL interoperability;
- The ability to set stencil values in a fragment shader for
enhanced rendering flexibility;
- Features to improve robustness, for example when running
WebGL applications;
- Callback mechanisms to receive enhanced errors and warning
messages.
Lastly, Khronos has simultaneously released a set of ARB
extensions to enable as much OpenGL 4.1 core functionality
as possible on previous generation GPU hardware; providing
maximum flexibility and platform coverage for application
developers.