Rendering 2D sprites in a 3D world?

Question

How do I render 2D sprites in OpenGL given that I have a png of the sprite? See images as an example of the effect I\'d like to achieve. Also I would like to overlay weapo

Answer 1

In 3D terms, this is called a "billboard". A billboard is completely flat 2D plane with a texture on it and it always faces the camera.

See here for a pure OpenGL implementation: http://nehe.gamedev.net/data/articles/article.asp?article=19

Just about any 3D engine should be able to do them by default. Ogre3D can do it, for instance.