Basic C++ graphics framework?

[xitshsif]

I'm a competent SDE, but have never done much in the way of graphics programming. I'd like to make a basic game as a project and I'm looking for ideas of how to get started. I'm sure there are tons of C++ libraries out there which do what I need. I just need to be able to get basic keyboard/mouse input, and the ability to manipulate 2D sprites. Anyone had any experience with anything like this?

 

[Crusty]

Well, if you are sticking to Windows only then DirectX will be your best choice, if you are going for cross platform then you'll want to start digging around in SDL.

 

[xitshsif]

Yeah, just interested in Windows for now. My only thought regarding DirectX is it may be a little overkill for my needs. But of course, it is one of the industry standards... Any recommendations for getting started? I really enjoy figuring stuff out, but this is one of those things I just don't even know where to start. Most of the books and tutorials I've taken a look at jump straight into rendering 3D stuff. If I could draw a sprite on the screen and move it around with the arrow keys, that'd be plenty enough to make me happy.

 

[Train]

DirectX has a pretty high entry point. Look into using GDI, after you get good with that, then maybe you would want to look into DirectX. But in a lot of cases, GDI from C++ is a blistgering fast solution, for what you're doing you may never need DirectX

 

[Modelworks]

Personally I would go with SDL. It works fine with C++ and if you ever wanted to do something on another OS it ports easily. It also has great tutorials to get you started and the community is very supportive.
http://www.libsdl.org/index.php


http://sol.gfxile.net/gp/

 

[xtknight]

GDI+ is nice for basic 2D stuff.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Why gaming type graphics and not what you would do for an application ... which is the most likely thing you would do to make money?

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: xtknight
GDI+ is nice for basic 2D stuff.

This.

Even if you want to work with OpenGL, you'll need to know a bit about GDI. If you want to work with 2D in DirectX, you'll want to learn a bit about GDI.

There's no point if passing up GDI or GDI+ for a 3rd party API.