Well, I’m not an expert in the field of gaming, but there has been all of this hype about DirectX 10 from Microsoft and how awesome it’s going to be. I agree that it looks really very awesome and very realistic, but nobody ever looks at the alternatives. I recently came across this image that compares images from DirectX 10 and OpenGL 2.1. Now, OpenGL 2.1 is an open source graphics library which is used for most Linux games and graphics stuff. Well, here is a comparison of the two:
MOVED!
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Thank You.
Hi Derek, love the image you’ve posted. The thing is: as long as hardware vendors keep making extensions for OpenGL to access certain hardware capabilities OpenGL will be able to do just as much (if not more currently) as DirectX.
Shader Model 4.0 is only accessible in DirectX through version 10, which means Vista only. SM 4.0 in OpenGL is accessible through Windows XP if your hardware can support SM 4.0.
Image quality depends on the Shader Models used, the quality of the hardware and the quality of the artwork most of all.
OpenGL and DirectX are just APIs which means that they are simply interfaces to hardware functionality.
Best Regards,
Eddy
Cool Eddy.
Thanks for the clarification. I learned something new. I’ve never really known much about gaming, so I don’t keep up on it very much. I ran across this picture on the net someplace and was impressed. Now I know a little more about it thanks to you.
-Derek
We’ve discussed this image not long ago on OpenGL forums. The only OpenGL – rendered image is the one in bottom-left corner – it’s from “Human head” demo from NVIDIA.
Anyway – comparing images between OpenGL and DiectX doesn’t make too much sense. It’s all about the algorithm you implement in your application/shaders and the quality of model/material you use.
All OpenGL renderings could be rewritten to DirectX 10 and vice versa. There would be no difference in image quality.
@k_szczech:
Thanks for the clarification. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype instead of the facts.
which game is shown using opengl 2.1?I just cant wait to play that game.
@arragon:
I’m not really sure! I’d like to play that game myself…
I believe a few of these are using ZBrush and if I’m not mistaken it uses OpenGL APIs for rendering so I know at least 3 of these are GL and not directx or direct3d
Yeah, lets all play the Human head demo!!!
Anyway, it’s not about Mac vs. PC for me.
It’s UNIX vs. MS DOS.
And seriously… What kind of sick bastard would buy Vista?
You can run all these games in XP; without the Aero BS.
Look at dx9 vs dx10. Not much difference with the right shaders.