King

I am looking to start getting into a bit more game development in my spare time. I have a fair bit of experience in c++ (school and industry), but none of it really had to do with graphics. In school I did a couple simple games with raw Win32 API using GDI such as Pong and Tetris. I am also in the middle of my second DirectX course, but I am not at the level where I could just code up a game in it yet.

To get started I want to do a 2D game, but something more complex than Pong. I don't really want to use Win32 GDI, so I was wondering what is a decent 2D graphics Library out there that I could use, hopefully one that is cross platform?

After that I would want to move into a simple 3D game, and at this point using just the DirectX API would be too daunting and tedious, so is there any 3D graphics library that could simplify things for me?

Thanks for any input.

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Klarre

To get started with 2D graphics you should take a look at the free and popular cross-platform library libSDL (www.libsdl.org). Another alternative is to use the open graphics library OpenGL, which I usually use to both 2D and 3D stuff. To begin with 3D coding I should recommend you to use OpenGL in front of Direct3D. The Direct3D API is more complicated to understand. And cause you are addicted to Linux, OpenGL is a better alternative though it is cross-platform.

/Klarre

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Wizard1988

You might want to consider Allegro, it is more complicated than SDL but it also gives you more freedom.

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Jimmy Bazooka

i'd recommend you Asphyre framework under directx9.0c however i'ts not cross platform (since it's under directx9.0c) but is very great and simple to understand. Visit http://www.afterwarp.net
...and forgot to mention it's a Delphi framework

Duck

I'd recommend using one of the 'big name' industry standard graphics libraries, eg, OpenGL or DirectX. These libraries are have hardware support and aren't going to go out of fashion. I don't understand why people would want to use some of these little heard of, uncommon libraries, eg, Allegro. Also what would you rather put on your CV, Allegro or OpenGL. Anyway I don't mean to upset anyone with my ignorance, and plz set me straight if I'm wrong.

I don't have much experience of DirectX but I've used OpenGL a lot, and its a nice library to work with.

MicDareall

lol. Did you even read anything that he has said before you decide to go off on a tangent? And as far as your rant, I suggest you learn what you are talking about before you choose to comment in such a rude way.

For 2D I would suggest SDL. Its really easy to use and cross platform. And as far as when you want to do something in 3D I would suggest OGRE3D. Its a graphics rendering engine. You can chose which API to run off of as well, Opengl or DirectX. Ogre is pretty powerful, flexible and extensible.

Duck

Ok, I'm sorry, it was a bit rude, I kinda regret posting that! Oh well.

I don't think I had gone off on a tangent though, my suggestion was to use OpenGL, and that that would simplify things for King.

I think I get it now, these other libraries are wrappers on top of OpenGL/DirectX, which provide a a better/simplier interface.

Sorry again

MicDareall

Ogre is built on top of those API's, as far as Allegro and SDL they are not. They are specifically made for 2D applications, which is what he's asking for. Why would you want to use OpenGL and/or DirectX for 2D applications when theres better suited libraries to handle it?

Duck

Ok. I see your point, and I'm not arguing. But OpenGL is a very good, and simple to use, library even if your only developing in 2D (but since I have no experience of the others I cant compare it).

Edit: Also if as King says he moves on to 3D, it would be beneficial not to have to learn a whole new library.

Klarre

I agree with Duck, that OpenGL is very good in 2D development.
You can also use SDL to create OpenGL windows if you want to.

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