OpenGL

About OpenGL 3D

Unlike DirectX, OpenGL is only a graphics API; it doesn't include support for functionality such as sound, input, or networking (or anything not related to graphics).

OpenGL was originally developed in 1992 by Silicon Graphics, Inc, (SGI) as a multi-purpose, platform independent graphics API. Since 1992 all of the development of OpenGL has been headed by the OpenGL Architecture Review Board (ARB). This exclusive board is composed of the major graphics vendors and industry leaders. Some of these are Intel, IBM, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Silicon Graphics.

OpenGL opens the door to the world of high-quality, high-performance 3D computer graphics. The preferred application programming interface for developing 3D applications, OpenGL is widely used in video game development, visualization and simulation, CAD, virtual reality, modeling, and computer-generated animation.

OpenGL version 1.0 was introduced by SGI in 1992 and quickly dominated the 3D software development industry. It is available for several versions of Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Unix, and for Apple Mac OS. Graphics hardware manufacturers supporting OpenGL include 3Dlabs, ATI, Intel, Matrox, NVIDIA, and SGI.

The fact that OpenGL is an open standard is certainly one reason for its popularity. The OpenGL feature set is determined by the OpenGL Architecture Review Board (ARB), a governing body composed of representatives from several major hardware and software companies.[1] This group meets regularly to discuss and approve additions and modifications to the OpenGL specification. The ARB's multivendor nature ensures that OpenGL runs equally well on a wide variety of graphics architectures.

OpenGL - 3D Software

I’ve been working on OpenGL last 2-3 years. I’ve made many 3D software’s and small 3D games using it, such as 3D chess, a small casino 3D Game, and I gotta say, OpenGL 3D is great. I prefer OpenGL over DirectX as OpenGL is available for every Operating System.

I use windows for my general works such as, surfing internet, playing 3D Games, using 3D software’s, using 3D Animation Tools, making 3D Images and 3D Arts for my 3D games and 3D Softwares, etc but I use LINUX for my coding and application development and the intresting fact is that I use the same code of OpenGL 3D written for LINUX in WINDOWS. As you must be knowing OpenGL commands are the same in WINDOWS as in LINUX. Nothing needs to be changed for any Operating System. Your 3D Software source code made using OpenGL 3D and glut (OpenGL Utility Toolkit) can be compiled in LINUX or WINDOWS or any other operating system as it is. At least the coding related to OpenGL 3D need not be changed in your 3D Software.

And linux users have a bonus for making 3D software, i.e. glx.

Linux users can use a library glx in addition to glut and glu to make 3D software applications more easily and efficiently. This glx provides many routines to aid you in your 3D programming.