graphics without redrawing the background?

[dirtyd33]

Hi. I was wondering if there was any way to do graphics without redrawing the whole background every frame but still be able to animate drawn objects. I feel like it would make things run a lot faster and smoother if I could.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

P.S. trying to write a video game, tips/ tricks appreciated

[Peter87]

Yes it is possible. Search for "dirty rectangles".

[Disch]

Dirty rects was a good strategy 8 years ago. Nowadays it's pointless. Any speed increase you might get would be minimal.

With the way modern video rendering works, it's not worth the work. Games are expected to erase and redraw the entire screen every frame.


The only time dirty rects makes sense is if you're doing software rendering. And if you are, you shouldn't be.


EDIT: to clarify, what lib/API are you using for graphics?