how to use directx

[denisfinn]

can someone tell me this....

Do you use directx in Visual c++ or is there something that you run to make 3d spaces ( ie level map ). I am very confused on how to do this. All that I think I understand is that I have to use Directx in a Win32 App. Please help me out here someone, as you can see I am clueless. I am on a WindowsXP machine and am an idiot.

Thanks,
Denis

 

[0x4B47]

Denis,
Whenever I write any directx apps, its usually in VC++. You could ofcourse make anything from character models to level maps in DirectX if you are very patient and have excellent 3D Maths skills up your sleeves. On the other hand this is very time consuming and game developers usually use packages like 3D Studio Max or Maya or Lightwave to make 3d models, meshes, levels, etc etc. After the models and meshes are created they are texture mapped or cell shaded before their geometry is imported into a directx app for a programmer to fine tweak and put everything into position. But obviously you are new to this graphics API. If you are interested in programming in directx, you need the following:
1)A brain,
2)A PC with MS Windows
3)MS VC++ (pref, 6.0 or above)
4)The DirectX SDK API(Downloadable from microsoft.com)
5)There are millions of online tutorials to learn DX but I prefer textbooks, and one very good introductory book is "The Zen of Direct3D Programming by Peter Walsh".

Hope that helped.
Kunal.

 

[denisfinn]

yeah thanks! I have all of those (except for the book). yay. Hey and this is a really wierd coinsidence...my friend's name is Peter Walsh . That's so wierd. Thanks a lot man.

Also, could i use an editor that I am very familiar with. It's the level editor for Red Faction. I spent like 200+ hours of my pathetic life making insane crap in that. It's called the REDeditor.

Thanks,
Denis

 

[0x4B47]

Denis,
I am aware some level editors come with games, such as Red Faction, Max Payne, Half Life to name a few. What you need to find out is whether these level editors will let you import your designs for your own personal game creations. I know Max Payne didnt let me. (It would only let me make my own Max Payne levels). Also you need to find out what code it generates in the background. For example, my half life editor was DirectX and OpenGL compatible, but the level editor produced OpenGL code, not compatible with DX.
Kunal.

 

[denisfinn]

grr....this seems too complicated. I guess I will eventually use it but I am not good at c++ at all. I just barely think I know what a class is. Would you think I am good enough to start doing this?

Thanks,
Denis

 

[0x4B47]

Denis,
It really depends what your into. If you want be a level designer, or a character modeller then I suggest you leave DirectX alone and learn something like Maya or 3D Studio Max. But if you want to be able to control your game, ie the character AI, the Enemy AI, Special Effects, Gameplay, then there is no second way about it, you must learn how to program in C/C++, (or maybe even Assembly at a later stage). Remember whatever you want to do, you will have to commit to it, because even learning a Studio package is just as challenging as learning a programming language. The basics are fun to learn, but the advanced topics can make you rip your hair out, but thats the fun of it I feel!
Good luck.
Kunal.

 

[denisfinn]

i want to be able to make my own game. I was reading a tutorial (which i didn't understand), but it suggested starting by making a simple game. It thinks Tetris is easy i guess...because that's what it told me to make, but it never said ne thing as to how or give me instructions as to make the game. Do you know of any perhaps instructions or open source Tetris games out there? I have one but it's a bunch of crap and to add to my confusion it's made in OpenGL. .

Thanks,
Denis

 

[0x4B47]

If you want to make your own games, you have to learn programming. Tetris is not an easy game to program, its just simpler than others. And no matter where you go, games these days are written mainly in Java or C++ using either DirectX or OpenGL. If your really enthusiastic about making games then buy a beginners textbook and move on to advanced stuff as you progress.
Here are some suggestions:
1) C++ programming for the absolute beginner by Dirk Henkemans & Mark Lee
2)OpenGL game programming by Kevin Hawkins & David Astle
3)OpenGL programming guide by Mason Woo et al
4)3D Math primer for graphics and game development by Ian Parberry & Fletcher Dunn.