OpenGL or directx for graphics designing?

hey jimbob thnx a lot for the last reply.... As u said that maya is used for animations and stuff ,can anyone please explain whether openGL is used for animation or anything related to that. If all the animation and effects can be done by softwares such as maya or 3d studio max then y would some1 learn opengl or directx .My ques might seem stupid ..but the thing is, I really dont know the basic application of graphic programming languages. And ya what is SDL :|