DirectX or OpenGL

SouthernMunk · 4th May 2004, 9:14 AM

I tried to learn alittle DirectX9.0 (I got the SDK a few months back) but I found it way too confusing. I had a look at OpenGL and I find it alot easier to understand so I stuck with that for a while.

Has anyone had any experience with either/both of these types of graphic development? Which is best and which would you recommend.

So, DirectX or OpenGL?

Kabal · 4th May 2004, 6:17 PM

DirectX needs more crap to get going but after that they're pretty similar. For making little games at home I dont think it makes a difference either way. DirectX's documentation is a little better though I think.

I did find it pretty confusing at first though, it took me 2-3 attempts at learning stuff before I ever got anywhere.

GregDude · 4th May 2004, 7:51 PM

I have been programming DirectX since v2 and OpenGL since v1.0. DirectX has come a long way and is now excellent to use. One is hardly better than the other, they both attempt to expose features of the video hardware. DirectX has excellent IHV support on the PC due to Microsoft. It only runs on PC and XBox however. OpenGL runs on many platforms and is the first to be extended via vendor specific extensions. The official OpenGL matures slowly but since it is extendable, this is not too much of a problem.

You will find great similarity between the two APIs. In fact, at one point in time, DirectX 6 was nearly identical to OpenGL 1.1. Both have since moved on and the new programable shader architecture almost allows the APIs to stop evolving, with the features and effects thought of and coded by the programmer.

If you use DirectX8 or 9, you will find the D3DX support classes make life much easier by allowing things like single function initialization and texture loads.

If you plan on lots of PC development, definately learn DirectX. If you plan non Windows workstation programming, learn OpenGL. Hey, learn them both, once you understand the concepts, they are both easy to get into and the documentation available is good.

Pacifist · 5th May 2004, 1:08 PM

They're pretty much the same from my experience.
You need to learn the basics of 3D rendering for both of them though.

Provided you have you programming skills sorted read some guides on 3D mathematics
Like this one http://www.geocities.com/SiliconVall.../matrices.html

Then either download the DirectX SDK and read the Direct3D tutorials or find some good OpenGL tutorials (NeHe tutorials are good) and your set.

View Poll Results: Which is better, DirectX or OpenGL?
DirectX	6	33.33%
OpenGL	12	66.67%
Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll

4th May 2004, 9:14 AM	#1
SouthernMunk Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 669	DirectX or OpenGL I tried to learn alittle DirectX9.0 (I got the SDK a few months back) but I found it way too confusing. I had a look at OpenGL and I find it alot easier to understand so I stuck with that for a while. Has anyone had any experience with either/both of these types of graphic development? Which is best and which would you recommend. So, DirectX or OpenGL? __________________ Grammar Joke: Q: What do you call Santa's helpers? A: Subordinate Clauses System: Foxconn NF4UK8AA-8EKRS \| AMD Athlon 64 3000+ \| 2x256MB DDR400 Corsair RAM \| Xpertvision 6600GT (PCIe) \| Antec SLK2650BQE \| Samsung TS-H552U \| Samsung 80GB SATA

4th May 2004, 6:17 PM	#2
Kabal Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,045	DirectX needs more crap to get going but after that they're pretty similar. For making little games at home I dont think it makes a difference either way. DirectX's documentation is a little better though I think. I did find it pretty confusing at first though, it took me 2-3 attempts at learning stuff before I ever got anywhere.

4th May 2004, 7:51 PM	#3
GregDude Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,095	I have been programming DirectX since v2 and OpenGL since v1.0. DirectX has come a long way and is now excellent to use. One is hardly better than the other, they both attempt to expose features of the video hardware. DirectX has excellent IHV support on the PC due to Microsoft. It only runs on PC and XBox however. OpenGL runs on many platforms and is the first to be extended via vendor specific extensions. The official OpenGL matures slowly but since it is extendable, this is not too much of a problem. You will find great similarity between the two APIs. In fact, at one point in time, DirectX 6 was nearly identical to OpenGL 1.1. Both have since moved on and the new programable shader architecture almost allows the APIs to stop evolving, with the features and effects thought of and coded by the programmer. If you use DirectX8 or 9, you will find the D3DX support classes make life much easier by allowing things like single function initialization and texture loads. If you plan on lots of PC development, definately learn DirectX. If you plan non Windows workstation programming, learn OpenGL. Hey, learn them both, once you understand the concepts, they are both easy to get into and the documentation available is good.

5th May 2004, 1:08 PM	#4
Pacifist Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gosford Posts: 1,950	They're pretty much the same from my experience. You need to learn the basics of 3D rendering for both of them though. Provided you have you programming skills sorted read some guides on 3D mathematics Like this one http://www.geocities.com/SiliconVall.../matrices.html Then either download the DirectX SDK and read the Direct3D tutorials or find some good OpenGL tutorials (NeHe tutorials are good) and your set.