Uses and Implementation of Direct3d and OpenGL
Direct 3D is part of Microsoft’s direct x API and is only available for Microsoft various windows operating systems and in the open source software wine. Microsoft has also used direct 3D for the base of the Xbox and Xbox 360.
Direct3d is a 3d API that contains many commands for 3d rendering and since version 8 has taken responsibility for the rendering of 2d graphics. Microsoft updates direct3d continuously to try and keep up with the latest technology available on 3d graphics cards.
In 1992 Servan Keonjian started a company named RenderMorphics which made a 3d API called Reality Lab which went on to be used in medical imaging and cad software. Two versions of this API were released; Microsoft brought RenderMorphics in February 1995 bringing Keonjian on board to create a 3d graphics engine for windows 93 which was the first version to be shipped in direct x2.0 and 3.0. Over the years Microsoft has released many version of there direct x from version 1.o to version 10 to 11 and 11 3D.
Direct3D's main competitor is OpenGL. Open GL is a standard specification defining a cross language. Cross platform API for writing applications that produce 2d and 3d computer graphics. OpenGL was developed by silicon graphics in 1992 and is widely used in CAD, virtual reality, scientific visualization, information visualization and flight simulation and was also use din video games where it competes with direct3d on Microsoft windows platforms. OpenGL is managed by the non-profit technology consortium Khronos Group.
In the 1990s developing software that will be capable of functioning with a wide range of graphics hardware was a real challenge. Developers tried by writing custom interfaces and drivers for each hardware which was too expensive.
Both direct 3d and opengl have there uses for specific jobs where the direct3d is used more mainly for videos games and the opengl is used more in the professional graphics market but had entered into the gaming industry both software are used by developers to create the best product possible out of these two pieces of software and are will competing against each other to see who becomes the best. 



