openframeworks / openframeworks/openFrameworks

feature: Pixel Buffer Object (PBO)

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core development-strategy feature section-2D
Dominant language
C++
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Description

Just want to propose the idea of implementing a pixel buffer object in openFrameworks.
There are many uses for this - especially if you want to render pixels into vertices - say, using a fragment shader to create points or a mesh.

The PBO could be a new ofPbo class or just adding functionality to the existing ofVbo. The main changes would be:

  1. Creating non-initialized buffers (unlike setVertexData, that only allows buffers with copy-data), e.g. allocateVertexData(...), alloacteTexCoordData(...), etc.
  2. Reading pixels into the buffers (from framebuffers), e.g. readPixels(...);

This is a suggestion open for discussion.

Contributor guide

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reviewing the existing ofVbo functionality, especially setVertexData, and the framebuffer pixel-reading path. The proposal leaves open whether to add an ofPbo class or extend ofVbo, and requests non-initialized buffer allocation plus readPixels support. Done would require an agreed design and working implementation for both capabilities.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
computer-graphics
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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