Windows Graphics Programming
Welcome to the comprehensive documentation for graphics programming on Windows. This section covers the core APIs and technologies that enable you to create visually rich and performant applications.
Getting Started
Begin your journey into Windows graphics by understanding the foundational concepts and recommended starting points. Learn about the evolution of graphics APIs and how to choose the right one for your project.
Key Graphics APIs
Explore the powerful graphics APIs available on the Windows platform, from low-level control to high-level abstractions.
DirectX
DirectX is the premier suite of graphics and multimedia APIs for Windows. It provides unparalleled performance for 2D and 3D graphics, as well as audio and input.
- Direct3D 12: For modern, high-performance 3D graphics.
- Direct2D: For high-performance 2D graphics with hardware acceleration.
- DirectWrite: For high-quality text rendering.
- DXGI (DirectX Graphics Infrastructure): For managing display adapters and swap chains.
GDI / GDI+
Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and its successor GDI+ are traditional Windows APIs for 2D graphics. While not as performant as DirectX for demanding applications, they are still widely used for UI elements and simpler graphics.
- GDI: The classic Windows graphics API.
- GDI+: An enhanced 2D graphics API with object-oriented features.
Windows Imaging Component (WIC)
WIC provides a flexible and extensible framework for working with images, including decoding, encoding, and manipulation.
Tutorials and Samples
Learn by doing with our guided tutorials and code samples that demonstrate common graphics programming tasks.
Best Practices and Performance
Optimize your graphics applications for performance and efficiency. Discover techniques for efficient rendering, memory management, and multithreading.