I am still swaying between OpenGL and DirectX9.

First of all, the tools I need are

1) Recast/Detour

2) a free 64-bit compiler/IDE, cos I can't afford one basically

3) some mesh loading mechanisms, like assimp

So what is the best way to go?

DirectX9 or OpenGL.

I am still having a hard time compiling all the stuff I want.

So how do you guys do it?

Can I make a commercial application with Visual Studio Express?

Thanks

Jack

DirectX 9 has a lot of overhead and it is no more updated. Use DirectX 11.

AFAIK, DirectX 11 only works with C#/XNA, correct me if I am wrong,

I only know C++ for the time being.

Thanks

Jack

AFAIK, DirectX 11 only works with C#/XNA, correct me if I am wrong,

I only know C++ for the time being.

Thanks

Jack

who told you this?

I see. I eventually found the dx11 header in mingw64 directory.

Thanks a lot. Cheers

Jack

2) a free 64-bit compiler/IDE, cos I can't afford one basically

Visual Studio Express is free and supports 64-bit too.

Cheers!

I vote for DX11 you wont get better performance on PC. Thinking about OpenGL... Well... It is very... abstract as a library... And to tell the truth OpenGL always was just a copy of DX functionality. So GO GO GO DirectX11.

I vote for DX11 you wont get better performance on PC. Thinking about OpenGL... Well... It is very... abstract as a library... And to tell the truth OpenGL always was just a copy of DX functionality. So GO GO GO DirectX11.

That simply isn't true - GL came first...

To the OP - either API will do the same thing. My personal preference is for OpenGL, mostly because it suit's my 'C with objects' type programming style... but if you're thinking of a commercial application, D3D11 has a massive advantage in that you can use it with WinRT with little change to your app, and sell it through the App Store. OpenGL on the other hand allows for cross platform development. Which is most important to you? Which OS's are you targeting?

Either way, VS Express is the way to go regarding IDE.

OK then :D GL came first, but regarding functionality DirectX is the leading force. For example tessellation firstly became available on DX and then after a year on GL.

Nevertheless DirectX and Visual Studio in my eyes is the only path for Windows OS game. If it is not Windows OS game you want to make, then you have no other choice but to use OpenGL and Code::Blocks(probably).

Good luck with whatever you will be creating.