OpenGL, Direct X, Allegro.....what do I use?

Ok, I'm a newbie of course. Ok im going to download direct x 8.0 SDK. WHOPPER FILE (137 mb)! This will take like 2 nights using gozilla. Anyways, before i download this massive beast, am i downloading the correct thing?

If you want to use DirectX then thats the right file...if your want to use openGL then everything you need you already have (as long as you have win 95+)...not sure about allegro, ive never used it.

Before anyone says anything, Opengl and Direct 3d are equall.

I use allegro a bit, but not for 3d. I don't know opengl or directx so I can't compare, but allegro is probably much easier and might be good to start with.

Allegro will use Direct X if you use just 2D. You can also have allegro use OpenGL if you use 3D. So, whatever lib you go with, my only advice is to stick with it. Allegro will be much easier to start with and is cross platform, so I vote for it. Also, it takes advantage of sound and music support unlike OpenGL. However, in the end, whatever you go with, if you learn it well, you will be able to do similar things just as well. Direct X is best done in C++. Allegro is straight C (but you can make it C++). So, erm, there you go.

i recomend OpenGL its easier to learn, more powerful, and in "MY OPINION" better...

i presonally prefer OpenGL..although you should go to nexe.gamedev.net and look at the 'OGL vs. D3D' section...helps a lot ;)

>i recomend OpenGL its easier to learn, more powerful, and in "MY OPINION" better...<

Yes it easer, to learn but don't forget it is only a graphics libbry and you will need something else for sound and input. but direct 3d and opengl are equall.

>but direct 3d and opengl are equall.

no they are very far from it... read up on them you'll see what i mean.

>no they are very far from it... read up on them you'll see what i mean.<

There equall

Directx 8 - more features then opengl but must be supported by the card

opengl - by use of extenstions can gain all advantages of directx but extensions very by manufacture.

>There equall

no.

> Directx 8 - more features then opengl but must be supported by the card

Direct-x can do software, and has many less features than GL even without extension, extensons just add to the number.

>opengl - by use of extenstions can gain all advantages of directx but extensions very by manufacture.

there's very few things Direct-3D has that GL doesn't... but the revers is not true.
extensions add incredible power to the library...

If you want to draw graphics to the screen then opengl is the way. Its easy to learn, and you wont have to learn anything else again, cause you can do anything with opengl that you can do with any other graphics API.

me says use OpenGL because most compilers have it built-in, if it is for windows (Dev-C++ is a EXCELLENT graphics programming compiler for WINDOWS. for DOS it sucks)