Graphics

This article provides an index of development features that are related to scenarios involving graphics in Windows apps.

Win2D

Win2D is an easy-to-use Windows Runtime API for immediate mode 2D graphics rendering with GPU acceleration.

Windows App SDK features

The Windows App SDK provides the following features related to graphics scenarios for Windows 10 and later OS releases.

Feature	Description
Render text with DWriteCore	Use the C++/COM APIs in the DWriteCore headers of the Windows App SDK to render text using a device-independent text layout system, high quality sub-pixel Microsoft ClearType text rendering, hardware-accelerated text, multi-format text, wide language support, and much more.

Windows OS features

Windows 10 and later OS releases provide a wide variety of APIs related to graphics scenarios for apps. These features are available via a combination of WinRT and Win32 (C++ and COM) APIs provided by the Windows SDK.

WinRT APIs

The following articles provide information about features available via WinRT APIs provided by the Windows SDK.

Article	Description
Visual layer	Learn how to use the visual layer in UWP apps. The visual layer provides a high performance, retained-mode API for graphics, effects and animations, and is the foundation for all WinRT XAML-based UI in Windows apps.
Using the Visual layer in desktop apps	Learn how to use the visual layer in WPF, Windows Forms, and C++ Win32 apps.
XAML platform	Learn the fundamentals of the XAML language and concepts for WinRT-based graphic components Windows apps.

Win32 (C++ and COM) APIs

The following articles provide information about features available via Win32 (C++ and COM) APIs provided by the Windows SDK.

Article	Description
Graphics and gaming	Learn about the breadth of Win32 APIs related to graphics, gaming, and imaging.
DirectX	DirectX graphics provides a set of APIs that you can use to create games and other high-performance multimedia apps.
Direct2D	Direct2D is a hardware-accelerated, immediate-mode, 2-D graphics API that provides high performance and high-quality rendering for 2-D geometry, bitmaps, and text.
Direct3D	Direct3D enables you to create 3-D graphics for games and scientific apps.
DirectWrite	DirectWrite supports high-quality text rendering, resolution-independent outline fonts, and full Unicode text and layouts.
Windows GDI	The graphics device interface (GDI) is a foundational API that enables apps to use graphics and formatted text on both the video display and the printer.

.NET features

The .NET SDK also provides APIs related to graphics scenarios for WPF and Windows Forms apps.

Article	Description
Graphics (WPF)	Learn about ways to integrate support for multimedia, vector graphics, animation, and content composition in WPF apps.
Graphics and drawing (Windows Forms)	Learn about ways to create graphics, draw text, and manipulate graphical images in Windows Forms apps.