Quick question: I've been in the web-dev world for several years now, I've wrapped my head around Java, Python, PHP, C# and Ruby- and currently make my living as a C#.NET programmer and I want to learn game development for real, no "build your own 2d sprite game over 14 days"-bs, the real deal. Where do I start? learning C? learning C++?...
Hi all, I'm messing around with 2D game development using C++ and DirectX in my spare time. I'm finding that the enterprisey problem domain modeling approach doesn't help as much as I'd like ;) I'm more or less looking for a "best practices" equivalent to basic game engine design. How entities should interact with each other, how anima...
I've got an application that is very graphics intensive and built on DirectX and Windows Forms. It has an automation and replay framework around which is built an automated testing system. Unfortunately, when the tests run unattended during a nightly build, the display is inactive or tied up with the screensaver, and our IT security poli...
Hi all, I'm learning DirectX as part of a hobby project. I've been looking for some good online resources for DirectX9 (using C++, if that distinction matters), but haven't found anything that's a) great for a beginner and b) up to date. Any recommendations? ...
When executing a pixel shader under Direct3D, do the limits on texture coordinates imposed by MaxTextureRepeat only become an issue during calls to texture lookup functions such as Tex2D(), or do they come into play anytime the texture coordinates are accessed within the shader? I wish to know whether it's possible to avoid the MaxTextu...
Does anyone know how to programmatically capture the sound that is being played (that is, everything that is coming from the sound card, not the input devices such as a microphone). ...
With Windows 7 probably going to RTM next October (and DirectX 11 with it), would it be worth waiting for DirectX 11's explicit GPGPU features, meaning it will be cross-platform (ATI/Nvidia, not Windows/Linux/Mac/Whatever); or should I create a CUDA application now? ...
I am developing an in-house app that would use XInput or DirectInput to read from the Xbox 360 controller. (I think it'll be the cheapest/easiest way to get multiple controls in the operator's hands.) I will need to source-control all source and tools, which means also the SDK's. I'd rather not take all of DirectX -- is DirectInput an...
We have a 3D application that retrieves keyboard presses via the IDirectInputDevice8. Is there any way, when we retrive keyboard events via the win32 API winproc loop back that we can send these commands to the DirectInputDevice? ...
I am using Direct3D to display a number of I-sections used in steel construction. There could be hundreds of instances of these I-sections all over my scene. I could do this two ways: Using method A, I have fewer surfaces. However, with backface culling turned on, the surfaces will be visible from only one side. If backface culling i...
How can I draw a 2D rubber band rectangle in DirectX? Preferable using C#. ...
I'm looking for the best single book for implementing DirectSound solution with .NET (C# preferred). If I had 1 book to buy, it would be this one. It can be overall DirectX, but I will only care about DirectSound. Also, if there are any good upcoming books about XAudio2, love to hear about that too! ...
Hello All, I guess this is a multi-part question. I can import a 3D model into my WPF application but how do I apply an ambient occlusion shader effect to it? I know with .NET 3.5 SP1 you can do custom effects but that's limited to pixel shaders and doesn't include vertex shaders. I think i can do this with an XNA application but Im n...
Am I allowed to redistribute only parts of the DirectX package? (e.g. only the DirectDraw DLLs, without Show/3D/etc.) ...
I got a quick question about running a directX application (C++) in a managed environment. I'm attempting to write a MDI tool (in C#) where the background of the parent window would be an embedded render window of directX (C++). I've read ways that involved writing the C++ into a native dll, however it would be prefered to be able to h...
When using wireframe fill mode in Direct3D, all rectangular faces display a diagonal running across due to the face being split in to two triangles. How do I eliminate this line? I also want to remove hidden surfaces. Wireframe mode doesn't do this. I need to display a Direct3D model in isometric wireframe view. The rendered scene must ...
Background: I am currently using custom controls within my C# project (basic controls just drawing a custom look and feel (using gdi+?)). The majoritiy of these controls have transparent segments for irregular shapes etc. Problem: I am looking to overlay a semi-transparent (irregularly shaped) panel over a group of controls. Currently ...
Hello all, I have the following code which plays a video clip but when it is finished it does not release the form but instead leaves the last frame of the video. how do I get it to clear when playback ends so that I can see the orignal contents of the form it took over to play the video? _video = new Video("video.wmv"); _video.Owner =...
What is the best way to send Direct3D output to a printer or a plotter? ...
Hi, I'm developing an application with two windows: Window 1: Renders direct draw surfaces Window 2: I'd like to have it do pure OpenGL calls I don't want to mix OpenGL and DirectDraw in the same window. I see from the Open GL FAQ (http://www.opengl.org/resources/faq/technical/mswindows.htm) that you can't mix the API calls inside ...