OPenGL capabilities

Hi there,

I’m a comfortable java programmer and am learning basic OpenGL, looking at sites like this. I’ve completed a few basic tutorials. AFter surfing the web on OpenGL I’m trying to set out my limits. I can see how 3-d cubes would be modelled but how would I go about modelling something like a cat and have it look realistic. Would I start with polygons and add texture later? Would this look trashy? Please advise your input would be of much much value.

Thanks

P.S Apologies for post in different thread <my bad

Everything’s a polygon (or else a point or a line). So yea, a cat is just a bunch of polygons. Hair is hard and an active research field, I believe. I’d try something easier than a cat as a next step. Animals don’t lend themselves to modeling as polygons unles you have some modeling tool or a 3D scan.