Direct2d is a hardware -accelerated application programming interface ( API ) for two-dimensional graphics , which provides high performance and high-quality display of two-dimensional geometry, raster images and text. The Direct2D API was developed by Microsoft to create applications running the Windows operating system and to interact with existing code that uses GDI , GDI + , or Direct3D .
Direct2D is primarily intended for the following classes of developers:
- Developers of large-scale, enterprise, "native" applications.
- Developers who create sets of controls and libraries for mainstream programmers.
- Developers who require drawing two-dimensional graphics on the server side.
- Developers who use Direct3D- graphics and need a simple, high-performance two-dimensional and textual rendering for menu items, user interface ( UI ), as well as indicators of direct visibility Head-Up Display (abbreviated HUD).