Simple 2D Graphics vs WebGL

Developers should learn simple 2D graphics when building applications that require custom visual output, such as canvas-based games, charting libraries, or interactive educational software meets developers should learn webgl when building web applications that require high-performance graphics, such as 3d games, scientific visualizations, architectural walkthroughs, or interactive data dashboards. Here's our take.

Simple 2D Graphics

Nice Pick

Developers should learn simple 2D graphics when building applications that require custom visual output, such as canvas-based games, charting libraries, or interactive educational software

Pros

• It's essential for projects where performance and simplicity are key, avoiding the overhead of 3D engines, and it provides a stepping stone to more advanced graphics programming
• Related to: canvas-api, svg

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

WebGL

Developers should learn WebGL when building web applications that require high-performance graphics, such as 3D games, scientific visualizations, architectural walkthroughs, or interactive data dashboards

Pros

• It is essential for projects where leveraging GPU acceleration is critical for rendering complex scenes or handling large datasets in real-time, providing a native-like experience in browsers across devices
• Related to: javascript, html5-canvas

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Simple 2D Graphics is a concept while WebGL is a library. We picked Simple 2D Graphics based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Simple 2D Graphics wins

Based on overall popularity. Simple 2D Graphics is more widely used, but WebGL excels in its own space.