Does the matrix contain information about where the objects (i.e. spheres etc.)?
Originally posted by Ztyx:
Does the matrix contain information about where the objects (i.e. spheres etc.)?
No, they don´t. The (modelview) matrix contains only information about manipulation of the vertices (scaling, transformation, rotation).
Actually, ANY matrix dont contain ANY vertex info. Matrices just transform the vertices. If you have no vertices, you cant make any matrix to force your OpenGL to render smth.
Matrices are just a way of storing vector operations in a more easy way to use (a 3x3 matrix has rotation and scale operations stored and a 4x4 matrix adds the translation operation).