Ok, I''m areally beginner programmer on the 3D side of thngs, so I was wondering if it would be better to start learning DirectX, for two main reasons: 1) I can''t access the Internet very often (1-2 times per week from home, and sometimes from the highschool I''m learning at), so I can''t surf for all the docs I need 2) DirectX SDK has all the help files in one place 3) I''m enrolled in the DX8 beta programme (lied a little about my knowledge, and got the enrollment) The main question is: Is DX a better starting platform than OpenGL? I dunno, but thinking that you''ve got it all (sound, net, music, 2D/3D video, input) in one place helps alot. But what about coding, is it easier (or faster) to learn to code in OpenGL, or is DirectX better? I have a Standard Edition of Muicrosoft''s VC6, but at school I have VB6. If I choose DirectX, should I start to learn in VC, or VB (as you probably know, DX has made the jump start in VB)? I belive that by starting with VB, i will hit an endpint soon. Is that true? Thanks alot, and sorry for my sloppy english, Adrian

Go with the OGL with NeHes website.. i tried dx before and its c**p, nehe has the best tuts on the web.. all you have to do is download the tuts 1 week at a time and study them 1 by 1 and then hey presto.. youll be a 3d programmer

no, learn opengl

we wanna play, not watch the pictures

Well, your wrong about the documentation for opengl! If you have VC6 you should have all the help files you need for OpenGL. For learning GL, nehe has an excelent site (where I learned from) and thete are pleanty of helpfull people out there willing to help the GL newbee, like on this forum.
As for DirectX... Lets just say that my personal experience in trying to learn it was so horendius that I can''t speak of such horrors to one so young as you!

"Only when you understand what it is that you don't understand will you truly understand!"

If you want to type much things like LPDIRECT3DDEVICEANDOTHERSHIT then you should go for DirectX.
If you want short typing then go for OpenGL.

I developed my first 3D application with DirectX, but I found out that OpenGL is much easier and nicer. I think you should learn the DirectInput and DirectSound part of DirectX and forget Direct3D.
OpenGL is much better fot everything is 3D =)

Remember the audience to whom you''ve directed your question. Of course the answer from this group will come back, OpenGL. Ask the same question on a DirectX site.

I say learn both, then decide which you want to specialize in. I for one like the portable aspect of OpenGL. However with that comes many "portability" issues. I also like the fact that if I learn DirectX, I''ll be able to port my games to the xBox, now THAT''s something that will keep me learning. I don''t think you should base your decision on access to tutorials, you can download all the tutorials you want but if you''re not happy with what you''re doing you won''t continue. I''ve gotten good results with both OpenGL and DirectX.

http://www.CornflakeZone.com
//-- Modelling and animation in every dimension --//

OpenGL I must say has tons of net support, but when it comes to books, OpenGL gets to the negatives. DirectX is quite the opposite. Andre Lamothe''s "Tricks of the Game Programming Guru''s"
(or something along those lines) is a wonderful book. If you can''t get online enough, do that.

Of course, NeHe has all its tutorials in downloadable files! So, you should be good. I started programming DX back before I really knew what OpenGL was, and I was so confused it wasn''t even funny. DX is only for experianced 3d programmers, but if you know OGL then you won''t even WANT to change.

All the work it takes to make a working DX app just isn''t rewarding enough. Stick the the 3 letter, not to the 2 letter: OGL!!!

L8r,
The Rainmaker
Biendschmofan''s Tutorials Of OpenGL Glander

On friday i decided to give directx a try - and as dx7 has the vb plugins / references , i thought it might be a nice way to pass the evening.....

Bad mistake - they found me 4 hours in a catatonic state mumbling something out ''long constant names''.. and ''evil directx''

Forget direct''su''x - opengl seems to be the way ahead - and much easier to code in and better results - i''m still a newbie at it, but it just makes sense.


Depriving a village somewhere of an idiot...

And if your still not convinced check out this :D

Edited by - mars_888 on October 26, 2000 7:31:03 PM