PortableGL is a single-header, software-only implementation of a subset of OpenGL (specifically the GL 2.1 pipeline), designed to run entirely on the CPU. This lightweight graphics library allows OpenGL-style rendering without GPU acceleration, making it ideal for educational use, debugging, embedded systems, and retro-style software rendering. Because it mirrors OpenGL syntax and design, it can act as a drop-in CPU renderer for testing or deploying 3D graphics on platforms without GPU support.

Features

  • CPU-based OpenGL 2.1-like rendering pipeline
  • Single-header, zero-dependency implementation
  • Supports vertex and fragment shaders written in C
  • Emulates programmable pipeline with user-defined shaders
  • Renders to raw memory buffers or SDL surfaces
  • Includes matrix stack and transformation utilities
  • Compatible with OpenGL-style vertex attributes and uniforms
  • Designed for portability and minimalism
  • Ideal for learning graphics programming or debugging

Project Samples

Project Activity

See All Activity >

Categories

Libraries

License

MIT License

Follow PortableGL

PortableGL Web Site

Other Useful Business Software
Our Free Plans just got better! | Auth0 Icon
Our Free Plans just got better! | Auth0

With up to 25k MAUs and unlimited Okta connections, our Free Plan lets you focus on what you do best—building great apps.

You asked, we delivered! Auth0 is excited to expand our Free and Paid plans to include more options so you can focus on building, deploying, and scaling applications without having to worry about your security. Auth0 now, thank yourself later.
Try free now
Rate This Project
Login To Rate This Project

User Reviews

Be the first to post a review of PortableGL!

Additional Project Details

Programming Language

C

Related Categories

C Libraries

Registered

2025-03-21