1991-2006 Silicon Graphics, Inc.
glVertexPointer 3G
glVertexPointer define an array of vertex data

## C Specification

void `glVertexPointer` GLint size GLenum type GLsizei stride const GLvoid * pointer

## Parameters

size

  Specifies the number of coordinates per vertex. Must be 2, 3, or 4. The initial value is 4.

type

  Specifies the data type of each coordinate in the array. Symbolic constants `GL_SHORT`, `GL_INT`, `GL_FLOAT`, or `GL_DOUBLE` are accepted. The initial value is `GL_FLOAT`.

stride

  Specifies the byte offset between consecutive vertices. If stride is 0, the vertices are understood to be tightly packed in the array. The initial value is 0.

pointer

  Specifies a pointer to the first coordinate of the first vertex in the array. The initial value is 0.

## Description

`glVertexPointer` specifies the location and data format of an array of vertex coordinates to use when rendering. size specifies the number of coordinates per vertex, and must be 2, 3, or 4. type specifies the data type of each coordinate, and stride specifies the byte stride from one vertex to the next, allowing vertices and attributes to be packed into a single array or stored in separate arrays. (Single-array storage may be more efficient on some implementations; see glInterleavedArrays.)

If a non-zero named buffer object is bound to the `GL_ARRAY_BUFFER` target (see glBindBuffer) while a vertex array is specified, pointer is treated as a byte offset into the buffer object's data store. Also, the buffer object binding (`GL_ARRAY_BUFFER_BINDING`) is saved as vertex array client-side state (`GL_VERTEX_ARRAY_BUFFER_BINDING`).

When a vertex array is specified, size, type, stride, and pointer are saved as client-side state, in addition to the current vertex array buffer object binding.

To enable and disable the vertex array, call glEnableClientState and glDisableClientState with the argument `GL_VERTEX_ARRAY`. If enabled, the vertex array is used when glArrayElement, glDrawArrays, glMultiDrawArrays, glDrawElements, glMultiDrawElements, or glDrawRangeElements is called.

## Notes

`glVertexPointer` is available only if the GL version is 1.1 or greater.

The vertex array is initially disabled and isn't accessed when glArrayElement, glDrawElements, glDrawRangeElements, glDrawArrays, glMultiDrawArrays, or glMultiDrawElements is called.

Execution of `glVertexPointer` is not allowed between the execution of glBegin and the corresponding execution of glEnd, but an error may or may not be generated. If no error is generated, the operation is undefined.

`glVertexPointer` is typically implemented on the client side.

Vertex array parameters are client-side state and are therefore not saved or restored by glPushAttrib and glPopAttrib. Use glPushClientAttrib and glPopClientAttrib instead.

## Errors

`GL_INVALID_VALUE` is generated if size is not 2, 3, or 4.

`GL_INVALID_ENUM` is generated if type is not an accepted value.

`GL_INVALID_VALUE` is generated if stride is negative.

## Associated Gets

glIsEnabled with argument `GL_VERTEX_ARRAY`

glGet with argument `GL_VERTEX_ARRAY_SIZE`

glGet with argument `GL_VERTEX_ARRAY_TYPE`

glGet with argument `GL_VERTEX_ARRAY_STRIDE`

glGet with argument `GL_VERTEX_ARRAY_BUFFER_BINDING`

glGet with argument `GL_ARRAY_BUFFER_BINDING`

glGetPointerv with argument `GL_VERTEX_ARRAY_POINTER`

## See Also

glArrayElement, glBindBuffer, glColorPointer, glDisableClientState, glDrawArrays, glDrawElements, glDrawRangeElements, glEdgeFlagPointer, glEnableClientState, glFogCoordPointer, glIndexPointer, glInterleavedArrays, glMultiDrawArrays, glMultiDrawElements, glNormalPointer, glPopClientAttrib, glPushClientAttrib, glSecondaryColorPointer, glTexCoordPointer, glVertex, glVertexAttribPointer

## Copyright

Copyright 1991-2006 Silicon Graphics, Inc. This document is licensed under the SGI Free Software B License. For details, see http://oss.sgi.com/projects/FreeB/.