Alpha Blending and Z-Indexing | Coding a 2D Game Engine in Java #16 @GamesWithGabe
Alpha Blending and Z-Indexing | Coding a 2D Game Engine in Java #16  @GamesWithGabe
Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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This tutorial is about how to enable alpha blending in OpenGL, and how alpha blending works. I go over the simple mathematical function that we use to do the alpha blending, then I discuss how to enable it and use it in OpenGL. Next, we implement a z-indexing system for our batched renderer. This allows us to add sprites in a layered manner like photoshop, to our game. With these two components added, we now have sufficient means to create layered 2D games that use the alpha channel for transparency.

Great article discussing several different blending techniques: https://ciechanow.ski/alpha-compositing/
OpenGL tutorial on alpha blending: learnopengl.com/Advanced-OpenGL/Blending

Source Code: github.com/codingminecraft/MarioYoutube/tree/fb4920928ac701e84cb2d7769af819c1432875ab

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Website: ambrosiogabe.github.io
Github: github.com/ambrosiogabe

Here are some books I recommend if you want to learn about game engine development more thoroughly. I do not profit off any of these sales, these are just some books that have helped me out :)

My Recommended Game Engine Books:
Game Engine Architecture: gameenginebook.com
Game Physics Cookbook (Read this before the next physics book): amazon.com/Game-Physics-Cookbook-Gabor-Szauer/dp/1787123669
Game Physics (Ian Millington): amazon.com/Game-Physics-Engine-Development-Commercial-Grade/dp/0123819768
Game Programming Patterns (Free): gameprogrammingpatterns.com

My Recommended Beginning Game Programming Books:
JavaScript Game Design: apress.com/gp/book/9781430247166

My Recommended Java Books:
Data Structures/Algorithms: amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-6th-ebook/dp/B00JDRQF8C
LWJGL (Free, but I haven't read this thoroughly): lwjglgamedev.gitbooks.io/3d-game-development-with-lwjgl/content

Outro Music: bensound.com/royalty-free-music
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Alpha Blending and Z-Indexing | Coding a 2D Game Engine in Java #16

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