The Khronos Group has released the OpenGL 4.1 spec, bringing the latest graphics functionality to the cross-platform 2D and 3D graphics API (application programming interface). It’s the sixth update to OpenGL specification in two years.

This new version continues to maintain full backwards compatibility to enable developers to begin using new features whenever they choose, while portably accessing state-of-the-art GPU functionality across diverse operating systems and platforms, according to Barthold Lichtenbelt, OpenGL ARB working group chair and senior manager Core OpenGL at Nvidia.

The OpenGL 4.1 specification has been defined by the OpenGL ARB (Architecture Review Board) working group at Khronos, and includes the GLSL 4.10 update to the OpenGL Shading language and is accompanied by a number of extensions introducing cutting-edge functionality to the OpenGL standard. The full specification is available for immediate download at http://www.opengl.org/registry .