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Asked: 2026-06-10T02:29:02+00:00

I am writing a program to imitate Natural Physics. I want to know whether

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I am writing a program to imitate Natural Physics. I want to know whether there is a better way to draw an object other than overriding the OnDraw method, and FillRectangle(x,y,1,1) for each pixel.

Is there a way to do a similar action using DirectX or OpenGL? Because to my knowledge the Graphics does not utilize the video card of ones computer (please correct me if I am wrong).

Saying this I would like some thoughts in relation to creating a 3D environment using mathematical calculations to work out the relative quadrant sizes so that objects appear to be farther away then in reality (as a monitor is only 2D), or closer.

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  1. Editorial Team

    Yes. Drawing pixel by pixel with FillRectangle will be very inefficient and slow things down a huge amount. As you say, you should use a graphics rendering system such as DirectX or OpenGL. The choice of which is up to you. If you do a simple search on the web you will find many tutorials on how to get started with 3d graphics.

    OpenGL focuses on “Draw me this object in space”, and it will take care of rendering it, taking advantage of your graphics card if possible. You do not worry about the pixels, you specify dimensions, camera angles, shaders etc.

    You can draw pixels with OpenGL, but that is not the ‘correct’ way to draw 3d graphics with it.

    EDIT in response to Vasa’s questions:

    I believe OpenGL does what’s best based on your graphics card capabilities and drivers. In general OpenGL isn’t going to be your best option for drawing direct pixels. BUT remember that

    1. Pixels are different sizes on different machines. Are you expecting to just live with this? Or live with a big display on low-res screens and a tiny one on high-res screens? There may be multiplications involved. If you use literal pixels then once you start multiplying for different screens you are going to get artefacts and inaccuracies.

    2. You want a direct mapping of X to pixels. OpenGL uses float values. They aren’t integer 1 to 1 mappings, but they do use a direct proportion. If you choose a scale then OpenGL is not going to suddenly start distorting ratios.

    The important thing is proportions not absolute pixels. Although I accept that it’s possible for your case to be different.

    See this for 2d drawing:

    http://basic4gl.wikispaces.com/2D+Drawing+in+OpenGL

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