What is an index buffer and how is it used?

An index buffer, also known as an element array buffer, is a data structure used in computer graphics rendering, specifically in the context of 3D graphics. It is used to optimize the rendering process by reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed and transferred to the graphics hardware. Instead of directly specifying the vertices of each individual triangle to be rendered, an index buffer stores the indices of the vertex data stored in a vertex buffer. By reusing vertex data through indices, the index buffer allows for more efficient storage and rendering of complex 3D models. This technique is known as indexed rendering and significantly improves performance in rendering large and detailed meshes.

This mind map was published on 9 December 2023 and has been viewed 89 times.