I'm looking for advice on selecting a programming language for creating graphics in 3D environments like Blender or Unreal Engine. I have some experience with Python and have done a bit of work with Pygame, but I'm eager to learn a more robust language to enhance my resume. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
C++ reigns supreme for graphics programming—it's essentially the industry standard. While Rust is emerging and offers some fantastic features, many jobs still prefer C++ due to its simplicity and performance. You can layer other languages on top, like Python working with C kernels, which I've done for raytracing projects. Just keep in mind that if you go this route, you’ll need a solid grasp of both languages to get them communicating well. If you're thinking about utilizing GPU power, you might also want to explore frameworks like Vulkan, OpenGL, or CUDA, as they’re essential for high-performance graphics.
If you're aiming for 3D graphics in Blender or Unreal, sticking only with Python probably won't cut it in the long run. For Unreal Engine, C++ is your go-to language, and Blueprints can complement it. As for Blender, while Python is useful for scripting, the heavy lifting is done in C/C++. So, I'd recommend diving into C++ since it's a standard in graphics and game development. Plus, getting familiar with OpenGL or graphics pipelines later on could be really beneficial, as those aspects are where the real action happens.
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely look into C++.
C++ is fundamental to nearly all popular 3D rendering engines. For instance, Blender’s Cycles renderer is built with C++. OpenGL is also a key player in graphics programming, which is likely why C++ is the dominant language in this field.

Totally agree with you! Graphics development is still very much rooted in C/C++. If you're open to something fresher, consider exploring WebGPU with Rust or C++. There's a fantastic guide available if that's something you might want to explore.