What is the difference between Direct X and Open GL? What is easier to learn? Thanks, CHris

I have heard that Direct X is better to learn only problem is that they release new versions all the time. OpenGL is more powerful but not all cards can use it.

quote: Original post by Necro-File
I have heard that Direct X is better to learn only problem is that they release new versions all the time. OpenGL is more powerful but not all cards can use it.

I'm sorry to say that not a single thing in that is true (although Microsoft does release new versions of DirectX somewhat frequently). I'll pull up a link to an article about this subject shortly; there have been so many debates about this that it's a waste of time to talk about it anymore.

EDIT:

DirectX is not easier to learn, that they release new versions should be of no consequence, OpenGL is not more powerful, and all reasonably modern video cards have complete support for both DirectX and OpenGL.

Here is the article.

[edited by - micepick on March 19, 2003 8:39:16 PM]

IMHO the exact opposite is true. If course everyone has a different opinion on this, and everyone usually starts to argue and the thread gets closed. Because of this moderators usually just close these threads on sight.

The only unbiased advice I can give you is to look at examples of both, and choose the one that looks more natural to you.

Here

Current project: 2D in Direct3D engine.
% completed: ~20%

DirectX is generally more complicated and you need to be comfortable with OO programming. OpenGl is a more simple, procedural API. Unfortunately, OGL hasn''t been updated in ages (it''s getting there soon though) so it doesn''t officially support stuff like standard pixel and vertex shaders. Until recently, OpenGL had the advantage over D3D because it was faster (in most implementations.. though some cards had horrible performance), because it was easier, and because it could be used on almost any platform (as opposed to directx being windows-only).

Also, DirectX offers much more than graphics.. it also offers excellent sound and control inferfaces that have many advantages. Overall, i''d say that OpenGL is much easier to learn. It is probably better to get used to 3D programming with that then learn D3D.. in the future i think it will be a good idea to know both.

An article on the subject.

[edit] too slow.

[edited by - smart_idiot on March 19, 2003 8:40:09 PM]

quote: Original post by falkone
so it doesn''t officially support stuff like standard pixel and vertex shaders.

More misinformation. Vertex programs are supported in OpenGL 1.4. Fragment programs are supported by ARB extension, which will most likely be a standard feature of OpenGL 1.5 (or 2.0, if 2.0 beats 1.5 out the door.)

Just try out both and use which you like best, don''t let others choose for you.

Thanks everybody, I didn''t know that this was(is) such a hot Topic. I guess I try both then and see for my self.
Thanks anyway,


Chris