SGI and the Khronos Group published a new license for OpenGL. "The license, which now mirrors the free X11 license used by X.Org, further opens previously released SGI graphics software that has set the industry standard for visualization software and has proven essential to GNU/Linux and a host of applications." New new license is shorter than the the FreeB license in version 1.1, which wasn't an Open Source license.
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Member since:2007-02-17
Well there are still things that opengl can do that DirectX can't touch due to its focus. Because Opengl was written with more professional means in mind (then adapted for gaming by Carmack and gang), the api has supported features which you used to only see really expensive hardware accelerate, the software renderer could support them. Its a very powerful api and even though I would like see a better response time form the Khronos group I think they are moving in the right direction.
Member since:2006-01-24
OpenGL isn't going away. In my opinion DirectX has a hold on the computer games market mainly due to the fact that windows IS the computer games market and also that initially the DirectX framework encompassed everything you needed to make a game for the pc, while OpenGL only supplies accelerated 3d graphics. However, when it comes to 3d content creation/design OpenGL is THE standard.
Maya - OpenGL
XSI - OpenGL
3D Studio Max - OpenGL/Direct3D
Lightwave - OpenGL
Modo - OpenGL
Blender - OpenGL
Maxon Cinema 4d - OpenGL
Autocad - OpenGL/Direct3D
Rhinoceros 3D - OpenGL
Mudbox - OpenGL
ZBrush - Software Renderer
MotionBuiler - OpenGL
Member since:
2006-02-15
What exactly does OpenGL lack when it comes to hardware support? When ATI or nVidia release a new piece of silicon, why is it that the demos showcasing the new features are always written in OpenGL? Ever hear of OpenGL extensions? 6 months later, and Direct X may get the feature if ATI/nVidia loby Microsoft enough for it.
Vendor-specific extensions is not the same thing as having something supported by the OpenGL spec itself. Vendor-specific is exactly that, vendor-specific. I am not aware of what specifically is lacking but I also have heard OpenGL is lagging _slightly_ behind. However, they also seem to be trying to catch up, they are starting to deprecate old features and are planning to release a new version shortly (~6 months, according to them). They'll probably try to catch up with the few lagging features after that.
Btw..doesn't DX also support vendor-specific extensions..?