Unable to use OpenGL

[supahamster]

I have tried to get some sort of graphics programming to work on my computer and it hasn't worked. I downloaded Dark GDK the Game Creators from Microsoft, but when I tried it, the header compiled with errors, even in the default "program" that Dark GDK gives you to start. Also, it couldn't find d3dx9.h
Does anyone know what it is (maybe a setting I have to change or something) that will help me be able to use OpenGL, or any other graphics library that will work with Visual C++?

Thanks

[MrViggy]

'd3dx9.h' is part of the DirectX API. You'll need to install that, too. Also, DirectX is "analogous" to OpenGL, but it only runs on Microsoft platforms.

Viggy

[supahamster]

Thanks.
When I install directX will it put the header where VC++ can find it?
Also, you say that the two are 'analogous.' Does that mean that the functions are identical, or that they functionally do the same thing? Can you reccommend one or the other (as of yet, I am just programming for my own learning, so a microsoft-only platform is fine)?

Thanks

[MrViggy]

They are functionally similar. I don't do much graphics programming, but from what I've heard one API may have more features then the other. The major difference is that OpenGL is cross platform (there is a Linux version of the API), where DirectX is Microsoft only.

Yes, it should update your version of Dev Studio to add the directory that has the DX headers and lib files, to your search paths.

Viggy