Choosing the right Graphics API

[kash kow ken]

Hi, I've heard of a lot of different graphics APIs being shot out here and there. But no one really broke down which one is the best and why it is.

I hear that SFML is faster than SDL etc etc..

I guess I want to know basically is three things
Which one is the easiest to learn
&&
Which one, with the goal of mastering, can be used to render the best graphics.
&&
When done mastering, which one will be most extensively used with a broader scope of objectives and abilities(like using some form of add on like openGL or something)

If you feel like you need to go into verbose explanation, then please feel free. I feel answers that I don't know any better to ask will get answered quicker.

Thanks

P.S. I'm simply only referring to 2D graphics API, because I heard that you should really get the gist of the 2D before moving onto the 3D graphics like

[Return 0]

When it comes to 2d APIs you have 3 choices. SDL, written in C, SFML, written in C++, and Allegro, another C library. All three are very easy to use. SDL has always held a place in my heart, but if you're writing purely in C++ I would suggest SFML. Allegro isn't a bad library, it just doesn't have the same level of community support. All three have support for opengl and direct3d. As far as which one is better... SFML probably comes out ahead of the rest as a more modern OO and hardware accelerated API that also has several features that the other APIs don't AND I find it easier to use.

kash kow ken wrote:

Which one, with the goal of mastering, can be used to render the best graphics.

What do you mean by "best graphics?"

[kash kow ken]

Yes, definitely by graphics...and versatility. Will they b oth have the same graphics... just matters on the speed functionality etc etc?

[Return 0]

Same graphics.