The choice between OpenGL and DirectX in games isn’t as common as it once was, but you might still see it. And if you do, you might wonder what the difference is and which option gives the optimum gaming experience.
What is OpenGL? How Do OpenGL and DirectX Differ? What Games Use OpenGL? DX11 vs. OpenGL: Which is Better for Gaming? Frequently Asked Questions
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-platform 2D and 3D graphics API. It is one of the most widely-used graphics standards in the world, used by developers when creating software ranging from video games and virtual reality experiences to computer-aided design (CAD) tools.
An API (Application Programming Interface) makes it easier for software and computer hardware to communicate efficiently and effectively. More importantly, an API standardizes the process. Without access to graphics APIs, software developers would have difficulty ensuring their software could access and use the wide variety of graphics processors available.
OpenGL was created in 1992 by Silicon Graphics Inc but is now managed by the Khronos Group, a tech consortium that is also responsible for Vulkan and several other lesser-known APIs.
Any side-by-side comparison of OpenGL and DirectX would be flawed from the outset. Open GL is just for 2D and 3D graphics, whereas DirectX is a suite of APIs that includes Direct3D and Direct2D for graphics, XAudio2 for sound, DirectWrite for text, and many others. The question should really be: how do OpenGL and Direct3D differ?
The main difference between the two APIs is that Direct3D is only for Microsoft platforms, meaning Windows and Xbox. OpenGL is cross-platform and compatible with Microsoft, Apple, and Linux systems. Notably, Apple has depreciated OpenGL on
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