OpenGL.GL.EXT.texture_array

OpenGL extension EXT.texture_array

This module customises the behaviour of the OpenGL.raw.GL.EXT.texture_array to provide a more Python-friendly API

Overview (from the spec)

This extension introduces the notion of one- and two-dimensional array textures. An array texture is a collection of one- and two-dimensional images of identical size and format, arranged in layers. A one-dimensional array texture is specified using TexImage2D; a two-dimensional array texture is specified using TexImage3D. The height (1D array) or depth (2D array) specify the number of layers in the image.

An array texture is accessed as a single unit in a programmable shader, using a single coordinate vector. A single layer is selected, and that layer is then accessed as though it were a one- or two-dimensional texture. The layer used is specified using the "t" or "r" texture coordinate for 1D and 2D array textures, respectively. The layer coordinate is provided as an unnormalized floating-point value in the range [0,<n>-1], where <n> is the number of layers in the array texture. Texture lookups do not filter between layers, though such filtering can be achieved using programmable shaders. When mipmapping is used, each level of an array texture has the same number of layers as the base level; the number of layers is not reduced as the image size decreases.

Array textures can be rendered to by binding them to a framebuffer object (EXT_framebuffer_object). A single layer of an array texture can be bound using normal framebuffer object mechanisms, or an entire array texture can be bound and rendered to using the layered rendering mechanisms provided by NV_geometry_program4.

This extension does not provide for the use of array textures with fixed-function fragment processing. Such support could be added by providing an additional extension allowing applications to pass the new target enumerants (TEXTURE_1D_ARRAY_EXT and TEXTURE_2D_ARRAY_EXT) to Enable and Disable.

The official definition of this extension is available here: http://www.opengl.org/registry/specs/EXT/texture_array.txt