Improve GPU Shader support for OpenSCAD's 3D Preview

[t-paul]

Outline

A recent code change allowed the 3D Preview to read shader definitions from files (shaders/Preview.vert and shaders/Preview.frag). It would be nice to give users the ability to switch shaders, provide a list of default shaders and allow users to add their own files.

This could be combined with New features for the 3D viewport (#56) for a Long (350h) project.

Details

• Define a possibly extended interface to the shaders
• Consider different OpenGL versions
• Extend GUI to provide some means to list and switch shaders
• Support system and user storage of shader files (similar to color schemes)

Expected Outcome

Users can easily switch shaders for preview and add custom files with their own shader definitions.

Project Properties

Skills

• Programming language is C++
• GUI programming with the Qt framework
• Knowledge of OpenGL and GLSL for defining GPU Shaders

Difficulty

Medium

Size

Medium (175h)

Additional Information

• Potential mentor(s): Marius Kintel (IRC: kintel), Torsten Paul (IRC: teepee)
• Organization website: https://www.openscad.org/

References:

• Small collection of basic shaders for tests PR #3860