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Which program is easier to program in? OPenGL or DirectX?

I know that DirectX is incredibly large to download, but what about OpenGL? What libraries or SDK do I need to download to begin programming for OpenGL?

To help you, I'd be programming in Windows XP environment, and I have both Borland C++ Builder and Visual C++ (I can use either one)?

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OpenGL:
Cross-platform open standard
Evolution governed by the Architecture Review Board, an independent consortium of the leading graphics vendors
New functionalities exposed through extensions, the base API doesn't change ( early OpenGL 2.0 drivers are coming out for 3dlabs and ATI cards, but it's still backwards compatible )

DirectX:
Windows specific closed standard
Evolution governed Microsoft
New functionalities exposed through major API changes each release

I'm an opengl programmer who hasn't touched d3d in ages, but as far as I know, opengl is easier to use for begginers ( for several reasons I will not start enumerating, or do you really want to know? ).

Any compiler should come with the opengl libaries and headers ( about 500kb ), or at least, GCC/mingw/dev-c++/cygwin, the intel compiler and borland does... I never used VC.

The redbook, the official opengl guide and reference, excellent reading
http://www.dcc.unicamp.br/~lmarcos/courses/mc603/redbook/
http://www.gamedev.net/download/redbook.pdf

Good luck!

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they both run the same, opengl is just easier to program, and has 2 mb of librarys, headers, and dlls, as opposed the 100mb or whatever of DirectX, go with openGl

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Is there something like SDK for OpenGL? Or don't I need it?

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no, not really, just the Dlls headers and librarys, most of which all probably come with ur compiler, no sdk for opengl...

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from what i hear i think directx is better

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no, they both run about the same. directX is just harder to program.

the only reason u hear diret X is better, is because programmers for computer games are forced to write in DirectX and since that makes all the new games DirectX the older OpenGL games look alot worse lol

butn o, hty are both the same, one is just easier to program...

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 joebob


Well I'm not sure about that. You can curently produce games which look a great deal nicer on some graphics cards if your using openGL, the same can't be said for Direct3D. However as was already pointed out directX is fifty times larger and that extra bulk ain't there for no reason.

Most hobbiests use openGL and the ones that do it for a living generally use DirectX.

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so how would one start programming in OpenGL.... whats the checklist of items/skills needed?

1. What language (C I assume)
2. What manuals/docs (any specifications of OpenGL?)
3. etc

???

- emk

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Quote : "Most hobbiests use openGL and the ones that do it for a living generally use DirectX."

D3D is more widely used than OpenGL for games these days, but OpenGL has the monopoly in the world of professional 3d graphics or high-end rendering.

emk:
1. Pretty much any language that allows you to call functions from libraries would do, I recommend C or C++ though .
2. If you are serious about learning ogl, the redbook - http://www.dcc.unicamp.br/~lmarcos/courses/mc603/redbook/ - http://www.gamedev.net/download/redbook.pdf . Otherwise, if you don't horribly written code and wrong explanations, there are the user-friendly Nehe tutorials..
3. Good luck! Just ask if you have questions

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Does anyone has one FTP library for c/c++ in Red Hat Linux 9.0 that can render to me for a while? I will appreciate any help

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 Anonymous Coward


I'm currently in the Planeshift beta - Based on the info which is available on the game's site, said game is being programmed in OpenGL - Which means if this trend continues, that could be changing. I'm a law student but I spend more time programming shiat than studying law. That being said, I have time constraints which is why I would like to know how easy it is to program in OpenGL. I have some game ideas which I would like to use in making a game.

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check out gamedev I found it is a great place to start with a lot of ressource
gamedev

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opengl is incredibly easy, i learned it in a few months.

if u want to see the simplicity, just go here http://nehe.gamedev.net and look at the tuts, i garantee u will gain a quick understanding of it.

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directX is better but not much

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o directx é uma merda!!!

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OpenGL is probably easier to program, and more 'portable' than DirectX...

my 2 cents...

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I work for Bungie as a programer, so I have experience with both opengl and directx. Although I would say opengl is more portable and delivers better quality for the storage and for the graphics card, directX is much more professional.

For intance, with directX, i can program my own games for my xbox. You can't beat that.

(no i didn't make halo)