Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

andrewgray · Jul 3rd, 2005, 12:56 PM

I want to get going on a tile-based side-scroller of over-head scoller (something you might find on a gameboy type thing). I'm learning C++.

What GUI system should I get into as for the graphics? How might I do that? (OpenGL, DirectX, what? How do I design for that?)

I'll be programming on a Mac but will compile on both Mac and Windows, since everybody loves C++.

nindoja · Jul 3rd, 2005, 1:03 PM

Well, throw out DirectX, because that is windows only. Your best bet would be OpenGL, then you could have a linux port as well!
Just my $0.02

Navid · Jul 3rd, 2005, 1:23 PM

While we're at it, is there any advanteges or disatvanteges of using DirectX or OpenGL?

kirkl_uk · Jul 3rd, 2005, 1:57 PM

The way I look at it: pretty much all of the big pc games are written in directx.

Dameon · Jul 3rd, 2005, 2:13 PM

DirectX
Advantage: Some high level features
Disadvantage: Windows only, hard to learn

OpenGL
Advantage: Very low level, runs on all platforms
Disadvantage: A little harder to learn than DirectX

And as for most PC games being written in DirectX, yes, but if you have noticed professionally written engines such as Unreal offer a choice between the two.

Ooble · Jul 3rd, 2005, 4:26 PM

Not all mainstream PC games use DirectX. Doom III, for example, used OpenGL. It's really up to you - they're both great, IMO.

andrewgray · Jul 3rd, 2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ooble

Not all mainstream PC games use DirectX. Doom III, for example, used OpenGL. It's really up to you - they're both great, IMO.

Doom III was made with Macs in mind, so OpenGL was the logical choice.

Any suggestions for books on OpenGL? (even linux! wow!)

stevengs · Jul 3rd, 2005, 10:18 PM

"OpenGL Programming Guide" - Woo, Neider, Davis, Schreiner

Oh boy!, you will finally get to put a little bit of that linear algebra you learned in high school to good use

Navid · Jul 4th, 2005, 12:22 AM

i found something different here: http://www.scorpioncity.com/djdirectxtut.html

He says in his opinion, that DirectX is the worst API and is too confusing. But he also recommends it since it's popular I geuss.

There's also an begginer tutorial there.

Ooble · Jul 4th, 2005, 9:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewgray

Doom III was made with Macs in mind, so OpenGL was the logical choice.

You're kidding me, right? A very small percentage of people without a PC or two play mainstream computer games. Doom III was made with every OS in mind, not just Macs. My guess is that Carmack's a Unix freak.

Jul 3rd, 2005, 12:56 PM	#1
andrewgray Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	C++ and... what? Game I want to get going on a tile-based side-scroller of over-head scoller (something you might find on a gameboy type thing). I'm learning C++. What GUI system should I get into as for the graphics? How might I do that? (OpenGL, DirectX, what? How do I design for that?) I'll be programming on a Mac but will compile on both Mac and Windows, since everybody loves C++.

Jul 3rd, 2005, 1:57 PM	#4
kirkl_uk Programmer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England Posts: 86 Rep Power: 4	The way I look at it: pretty much all of the big pc games are written in directx. __________________ kirkl_uk

Jul 3rd, 2005, 2:13 PM	#5
Dameon Troll Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 732 Rep Power: 4	DirectX Advantage: Some high level features Disadvantage: Windows only, hard to learn OpenGL Advantage: Very low level, runs on all platforms Disadvantage: A little harder to learn than DirectX And as for most PC games being written in DirectX, yes, but if you have noticed professionally written engines such as Unreal offer a choice between the two. __________________ MD5(sig) = bcef75433db02e9ad9bf81d6f7c5c270

Jul 3rd, 2005, 4:26 PM	#6
Ooble I eat cake for breakfast. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In my box. Posts: 4,434 Rep Power: 9	Not all mainstream PC games use DirectX. Doom III, for example, used OpenGL. It's really up to you - they're both great, IMO. __________________ Me :: You :: Them

Jul 3rd, 2005, 10:18 PM	#8
stevengs Professional Programmer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bad Nauheim, Germany Posts: 436 Rep Power: 4	"OpenGL Programming Guide" - Woo, Neider, Davis, Schreiner Oh boy!, you will finally get to put a little bit of that linear algebra you learned in high school to good use __________________ -Steven "Is this a piece of your brain?" - Basil Fawlty

Jul 3rd, 2005, 1:03 PM	#2
nindoja Programmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 92 Rep Power: 4	Well, throw out DirectX, because that is windows only. Your best bet would be OpenGL, then you could have a linux port as well! Just my $0.02

Jul 3rd, 2005, 1:23 PM	#3
Navid Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 187 Rep Power: 4	While we're at it, is there any advanteges or disatvanteges of using DirectX or OpenGL?

Jul 4th, 2005, 12:22 AM	#9
Navid Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 187 Rep Power: 4	i found something different here: http://www.scorpioncity.com/djdirectxtut.html He says in his opinion, that DirectX is the worst API and is too confusing. But he also recommends it since it's popular I geuss. There's also an begginer tutorial there.

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Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

C++ and... what? Game