[deathdroid]

Just wondering what people opinions are on which is more efficient and better graphics.

I know for instance DirectX is not multi platform unlike opengl is.
But on the other hand i think Direct X is a lot more powerful and able to deliver more graphical features.

Like to hear your views

Cheers

[firesteel]

I voted for OpenGL, primarily because it is an open standard API, portable across multiple operating systems. DirectX is Microsoft's proprietary API, and obviously available only on Windows platforms. I have no idea which API is more efficient, but I am aware that OpenGL is more often used in professional graphics software, whereas DirectX is primarily used in gaming applications.

[Sharky]

Originally Posted by firesteel

I voted for OpenGL, primarily because it is an open standard API, portable across multiple operating systems. DirectX is Microsoft's proprietary API, and obviously available only on Windows platforms. I have no idea which API is more efficient, but I am aware that OpenGL is more often used in professional graphics software, whereas DirectX is primarily used in gaming applications.

So really, you answered the wrong question!

[mattura]

DirectX has more optimisation
OpenGL is focussed on being open and multi platform etc, so anyone can use it. So some optimisations cannot be performed.
So DirectX is faster

[Nathan H]

I agree with mattura, DirectX is designed for use on one specific system so it will in no doubt be more efficient because it can rely on capabilities that are only available in certain environments. While openGL is cross-platform, its just not as optimised as Dx, it can run on anything, but not as well.

[mattura]

Well yep, Nathan H said it much better than me!

[Laurimann]

I used to program on DX 7 and 8 but during the time that's passed since the last time i did i've started favoring OpenGL more and more for two reasons: it's open source AND cross-platform. Suppose i was a professional in the video game industry i'd probably use DirectX because it's natively supported by the world's widest spread OS AND it can utilize certain hardware more efficiently.

[Uchiha Sasuke]

it depends on a users choice but when it comes to gaming i think direct x is alot more better for gamers since most games now take avantage of it. for example FSX from microsoft uses dx10 to render the graphics of most airplanes and airports but you would have to pay a price to render them at their maximum output. even crysis was a big controversey. so thats my 2 cents there.

[firesteel]

Originally Posted by Sharky

So really, you answered the wrong question!

Well, I offered my opinion based on my limited experience with both API's. One seems to be preferred for professional graphics rendering, and the other for game rendering. Two API's and 2 different schools of thought, with each possibly better suited for certain tasks and applications.

My personal preferences will always lead me to an open source solution, if one exists.

Your snarky statement, however, addressed nothing the OP asked.

[Smith6612]

I'm a DirectX person mainly because I'm a gamer. There's only a very select few applications that I run that use OpenGL. Back when I had Windows 98 however, I had a crazy amount of apps that I used daily that used OpenGL.