- OpenGL is a cross-platform graphics API, which means that the same code can be used on multiple operating system types with minimal changes. OpenGL runs on every computer with graphics output capability and requires no extra downloads.
- OpenGL is written to a specification maintained by the OpenGL Architecture Review Board. That means the API is slow to adopt new features on graphics cards, and not all graphical effects are supported on all cards, according to OpenGL.org.
- Direct3D is distributed and maintained by Microsoft. It's designed to run best on Windows computers, and it's the predominant API used by computer game developers. Some game consoles also support the use of Direct3D, which is released more often than OpenGL and contains a specific set of functionality which driver developers must include.
- Direct3D is supported only on Windows computers, as it's governed by Microsoft. This presents a challenge when porting a graphics application to a non-Windows computer. Also, Direct3D is not distributed with all Windows operating systems. You must download the Direct3D drivers to the computer before using a program written with Direct3D.
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