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cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 01:11:48 AM
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The fallowing is a blog post I just made on my website...
quote:
"What you can't see me doing right now is shaking my head in shame. Why, WHY! did I not take a more serious aproach to OpenGL. So many years I've wasted on DirectX. *Sigh*
Oh well... As you can see I have re-re-re-rediscoved (hopfully for the last time) OpenGL in the form of Tao openGL. www.taoframework.com Now that I am starting to "Get it" to describe OpenGL I'd say "Yep".
I've compleated 6 basic projects, and I gotta tell you, it's soooo much easier then DX. (when I say DX I mean managed DX 9) No having to manage object references. No managing object states. Using Google and opengl.org there is Plentifull documentation. I could go on, but I will not. Lastly I will say this, OpenGL is reminding me of the fun and ease of use I had programming graphics in QBasic. Yes it's that easy to use. Whu Hooo! I'm alive again!"
So after being burned by Managed DX yet again, I decided to take up opengl, and give it one more go. This time, I get it, and not only do I get it, but i'm finding it easy! I never really gave opengl a serious effort to learning it in the past because I always had my trusty directx to rely on. I also never gave opengl a serious effort to learn before because there were no managed libraries for it under the .NET framework. And now that there is, I find myself fast loosing interest in directx.
Any way I am making this post in the hopes begginers will come across it and save them from the horror that directx has become. Please do youself a favor and make a serious effort to learn opengl before directx. You may discover in you later years of programming that you made the right choice.
Fourm topic is now open for debate! |
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
Edited by - cbx on Jan 13 2005 4:45:46 PM
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Lachlan87
Moderator
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 07:44:39 AM
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The link for the TaoFramework brings me to a site that says: "Wrong Server. Wrong Site. Go Away."
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VBBR
Moderator
Brazil
617 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 08:12:53 AM
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| It's because of the '.' after the URL. Click here instead: http://www.taoframework.com/ |
Whatever. Who knows... |
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Lachlan87
Moderator
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 10:33:00 AM
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Thanks for pointing that out, VBBR.
cbx--
I've never use OpenGL, and your probably right that it is better than MDX, but since you invited debate, I'll try to defend Managed DirectX, just for fun.
If the rumors are true, the XBox 2 will support both the .Net framework, and Managed DirectX (although it may be called XNA at that point). To me this would indicate that Managed DirectX is not yet really a finished product. In one way this doesn't seem like a defense at all, but my argument is that judging MDX now because of it's bug is like judging beta software.
Not much of a defense, but blatant speculation is the best defense I could think of a the moment. |
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Eric Coleman
Gladiator
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 10:52:00 AM
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I've played around with openGL a bit as well, and honestly it is a lot easier than DirectX. However, for advanced functionality, (which most hobby programmers won't use), the extension system in openGL is not exactly easy to work with in VB. I don't even know if it's possible without some sort of wrapper between different function calling conventions.
There are some VB/OpenGL resources on the links page. There aren't that many web sites but they do cover a lot of information. Also, if you have VS 6, then you can find an openGL.chm help file in the MSDN directory (assuming you installed it). The file is a bit dated, but I've found it usefull for learning. |
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cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 5:24:51 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Eric Coleman
<br>I've played around with openGL a bit as well, and honestly it is a lot easier than DirectX. However, for advanced functionality, (which most hobby programmers won't use), the extension system in openGL is not exactly easy to work with in VB. ......
That is one thing I am concerned about are things like using vertex array extentions etc. I am concerned that calling glVertex methods are not the fastest means of rendering geometry. But thus far Tao seems to have made working with OpenGL in .NET easy.
I have ran into one signifigant problem thus far, although you can use the SimpleOpenGlControl in Tao I have seen code in many different languages that getting opengl to work with a window you created and manage can be a bit of a hassle. But I have seen posts that there is going to be a simpler solution being developed by the auther of the SimpleOpenGlControl control in the future.
To Lachlan87:
When I say I was burned by Managed DX see me prev posts...
http://www.vbgamer.com/msgboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=321
http://www.vbgamer.com/msgboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=370
http://www.vbgamer.com/msgboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=335 |
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
Edited by - cbx on Jan 13 2005 5:25:33 PM |
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Crysstaafur
Squire
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2005 : 11:55:13 PM
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Just outta curiousity, does anyone know of a conversion table that shows each directx and opengl function name in a (or near) equalivalent manner?
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Eric Coleman
Gladiator
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2005 : 11:26:42 PM
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There is no such table, DirectX and OpenGL are totally different with regards to the concept of drawing. However, newer features in shader languages allow you to get closer to an openGL method of drawing within Directx, but that's just a footnote and not a standard way of doing things.
OpenGL is more of a state machine when drawing and DirectX is more of an explicit function call, somewhat. DirectX has a "flexible vertex format", and as far as I know there is no equivalent in openGL. OpenGL allows greater flexibility when storing and rendering geometry. You can keep normal, position, color, etc data seperate, versus DirectX's requirement that it all be packed into a single structure and follow rigid guidelines.
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Almar
Moderator
Netherlands
192 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2005 : 04:29:58 AM
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I think it's just like banks :).
You start to use one, probably the ones your parents have.. and stick with it for a longggg time ;).
All banks have their own small issues (eg, for one it costs money to have a creditcard ,the other only processes money every two days, etc), but you still stay with the same bank anyway.
I have no reason to move to OGL, since I don't have much problems with DirectX? :)
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2dcoder
Knave
83 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2005 : 5:47:29 PM
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| All I know is I've downloaded several Open GL apps and none of them run any decently on 5 different "consumer" level machines, that all ran DirectX apps perfect and fast. Sure they probably didn't have Open GL support on the hardware level, but still programmer beware of your target market. |
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hotrodx
Squire
43 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2005 : 02:25:52 AM
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IMO, vb/DX combo is much suitable together because of being Microsoft-only standards. OpenGL is prolly much suited to C++, so as not to waste potential cross-platform compilation.
But then again-- to each his own... Different strokes for different folks. |
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Matt_Giuca
Neophyte
Australia
3 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2005 : 03:43:53 AM
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I've given this a bit of thought. I've been writing games for MDX only, but my friend started using OGL so I thought I might give it a go.
But many commercial games give you the option of either DX or OGL. Would it be better (for your end-users) if you actually wrote it in BOTH? Or do we just say these days "oh well, all cards are compatible with DX and OGL, I'll just stick with one?"
In terms of VB, i'd say DX tho, agreeing with hotrod. I've not actually used DX 9 in VB 6 (does it even work?) - but using DX 9 Managed in VB.NET is pretty easy (you may run into a swag of problems, like 'eep why arent there any polygons!', but you'll sort them out).
Theres a great tutorial at what used to be www.directx4vb.com and now seems to be only reachable here:
http://216.5.163.53/DirectX4VB/index.asp
Choose DirectX 9 Tutorial. Its got a walkthrough in VB.NET, MDX samples for VB.NET and C#, and Unmanaged DX sample for C++. |
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davidw
Neophyte
2 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 2:04:50 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by VBBR
It's because of the '.' after the URL. Click here instead: http://www.taoframework.com/
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davidw
Neophyte
2 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 2:08:22 PM
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| The link for www.taoframework.com is not working, is this a temporary issue or is the taoframework no longer available? |
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cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 3:26:48 PM
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| I think tao has moved over to the mono project. http://www.mono-project.com/Tao The last release was on 2 Nov 2005 so they are still updating it. |
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
Edited by - cbx on Jan 27 2006 3:30:39 PM |
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masterbooda
Swordmaster
277 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2006 : 8:23:05 PM
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Yo!
I have been actually delving into a little opengl as of late and here is what I have deducted...
Directx - VB
OpenGl - VC or c++ derivative...
But of course I refuse to move on to .net, call me old fashioned(and broke)...but from what I have gained through a gaggle of google searches, is that open gl is best suited for C++..well that is what I am using it in, its structure is suited for c++...
Just my two cents....btw I still hate 3d, just wanted to find a graphic wrapper for c++. SDL rocks...
DaBooda out...
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DaBooda Team is back: http://dabooda.789mb.com/ |
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OMG! I've wasted my life...Use OpenGL not DirectX!
