I think if you want to make ONLY 2D
DirectX is better. It's easy to understand
than OpenGL. (and good for new coder)

When you can understand DirectX & Win32
and want to make 3D. OpenGL is better.
(or Direct3D? '_')

the choice is yours!

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the 13tH AngeL

Actually D3D and OpenGL are both completely viable for 3D work and some people even prefer D3D over OpenGL.

My take on it is that OpenGL is definitely easier to jump into and start working with immediately, and it seems to have a more gradual slope into more advanced topics as well. D3D has a larger learning curve in the beginning, as it will take you a while just to get it initializing correctly.

In the end you can basically use either to do the same things, so it depends on which feels more comfortable to you. You may want to try to read through some of the (non-initialization) code of both and see which makes more sense to you, after you read a tutorial on starting both. It will probably be easy enough to see which one you feel more comfortable with.

-Geoff

Probably the biggest advantage that OpenGL has over D3D is that it's multi-platform. If you decide to move on to Linux or the PPC you'll find it easier to use OpenGL.

You can use OpenGL for 2D work - but it's better for "2.5D" work (where there's a bit of "height," like in GTA).

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=> Arfa <=

For 2D i think directx would be better to learn. For 3D im not to sure but if your going to use directsound,directinput i would say you minda learn direct3d.

I am an amateur programmer learning to use VC++6. Which Graphics API is better for 2D games: DirectDraw or OpenGL? What's the best way to start using OpenGL? Which is easier to learn? Help is appreciated.

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Update: Thanks to everyone for your help, I've decided to go with DirectX since I'm not even near ready for 3D and I already have the SDK. Does anyone have any Directdraw tutorials to recommend?
Thanks again.

[This message has been edited by Diego (edited July 31, 1999).]

OpenGL works just fine with DirectX as long as you don't mix it with DirectDraw.