"It makes programming fun again!" is a cliché among geeks; all too often it's used to extol the virtues of some new-fangled programming language or platform. But I honestly think there's no better aphorism to describe iPhone graphics programming. Whether you're a professional or a hobbyist, I hope this book can play a small role in helping you to re-discover the joy of programming.

This book is not an OpenGL manual, but it does teach many basic OpenGL concepts as a means to an end: namely, 3D graphics programming on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Much of the book is written in a tutorial style, and I encourage you to download the sample code and play with it. Readers don't need a graphics background, nor do they need any experience with the iPhone SDK. A sound understanding of C++ is required; fluency in Objective C is useful but not necessary. A smidgen of Python is used in Chapter 7, Sprites and Text, but don't let it scare you off.

I tried to avoid making this book math-heavy, but, as with any 3D graphics book, you at least need a fearless attitude towards basic linear algebra. I'll hold your hand and jog your memory along the way.

If you're already familiar with 3D graphics, but haven't done much with the iPhone, you can still learn a thing or two from this book. There are certain sections that you can probably skip over. Much of Chapter 2, Math and Metaphors is an overview of general 3D graphics concepts; I won't be offended if you just skim through it. Conversely, if you have iPhone experience but are new to 3D graphics, you can gloss over some of the Objective C and Xcode overviews given in Chapter 1, Quick Start Guide.

In any case, I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it!

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This book exists only because of the logical AND of the existence of a number of different people, including Harsha Kuntur, whose rabid iPhone enthusiasm is the seed for this book; Stephen Holmes, who unintentionally made me into an Apple fanboy; David Banks, who got me into graphics in the first place.

I'd also like to thank my editor and personal champion at O'Reilly, Brian Jepson. Much thanks to both John T. Kennedy and Jon C. Kennedy for their valuable suggestions (can't the Irish be more creative with names?). I was joyous when Serban Porumbescu agreed to review my book — I needed his experience. I'm also supremely grateful to Alex MacPhee and David Schmitt of Medical Simulation Corporation, who have been accomodating and patient as I tried to juggle my time with this book.

Finally I'd like to thank Mona, who had 1-800-DIVORCE on speed dial while I was having an affair with this book, but managed to resist the temptation. In fact, without her limitless support and encouragement, there's absolutely no way I could've done this.