3D graphics library for .NET

c# graphics 3d directx
Janman picture Janman · Feb 20, 2013 · Viewed 50k times · Source

I would like to learn to make simple 3D applications for Windows 7 / desktop. By that, I mean spheres, triangles or pixels moving around in 3D space. It does not have to be very complicated as of yet. For this, I would like to use C# language with .NET (Java/C++ is my second priority).

I know this has been asked many times around the internet, but I feel like many of the questions are outdated, many APIs deprecated and tutorials too old.

I was thinking about learning XNA, but then I learned that Microsoft does not plan to develop and support it anymore. SharpDX also seemed like a good way to go, but that seems to be aimed for Windows Store and Phone apps.

While looking on the internet, Managed DirectX seemed exactly what I was looking for (the syntax, the complexity), but again, that is way too deprecated for me to use.

Can you please guide me what I should learn to create simple yet solid 3D applications?

Answer

Daniel A.A. Pelsmaeker picture Daniel A.A. Pelsmaeker · Feb 20, 2013

Take a look at SlimDX. It's an open-source, free, managed library for DirectX (DirectX 11). Each release coincides with a DirectX release, so most of the time it's pretty up-to-date. I've used it and it was quite easy to get started. Here (scroll down) is a comparison with other possibilities you mentioned.

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