To address a desire to run 3D applications based on the OpenGL standard on OpenGL|ES mobile devices such as cellular telephones, one must be able to translate function calls between OpenGL and OpenGL|ES. In supporting this translation, and so as to ensure proper data state for the continued execution of the OpenGL application, global GL states which might be changed by an OpenGL|ES function used during translation are stored. The OpenGL to OpenGL|ES translation is then effectuated by substituting appropriate OpenGL|ES commands for OpenGL commands, and passing OpenGL|ES APIs for OpenGL|ES implementation. Thereafter, the global GL states which were previously saved are restored such that the performed translation does not adversely impact continued execution of the OpenGL configured application. This translation process supports OpenGL to OpenGL|ES translation with respect to a number of OpenGL APIs as well as some known extensions.