Mastering GLSL in TouchDesigner, Lesson 0: Parallel Computing Conceptual Foundation

Unlock the power of GLSL programming in TouchDesigner with this comprehensive introduction. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your understanding, this course takes you from foundational concepts to advanced techniques like noise generation, image filtering, simulations, and instancing. Learn how to write shaders, manipulate textures, and optimize real-time graphics using GPU-accelerated techniques. Perfect for artists, designers, and creative technologists seeking to push the limits of generative and interactive visuals.

Lesson 0: Parallel Computing Conceptual Foundation
Before diving into GLSL, it’s crucial to understand how GPUs process data differently from CPUs. This lesson introduces parallel computing concepts, explaining how shaders execute thousands of operations simultaneously, enabling real-time graphics and generative art.

Slides available for free on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mastering-glsl-0-120211156

Find me online:
Portfolio: https://www.lakeheckaman.com
IG: https://instagram.com/lake_heckaman

Resources:

Interactive shader learning page by the masters (much of this course was inspired by Patricio’s work) https://thebookofshaders.com/

Lots of great functions, articles, etc. Some are quite advanced, others are not https://iquilezles.org/

GLSL documenation: https://registry.khronos.org/OpenGL-Refpages/

00:00 – Start
00:02 – Intro to GLSL 101 Course
03:37 – What is Parallel Computing?
11:54 – When to use CPU vs GPU
15:07 – Graphics pipeline overview
19:11 – Writing GLSL Shaders in TouchDesigner