I''ve read a book covering C++, but when it comes to programming DirectX, it seems really complex. Just wondering if you guys felt this when you first started programming directx/opengl. Thanks

Hey Thomas,

It is pretty common for people going into DirectX for their first time, right after learning C++ to feel slightly confused. That feeling doesn''t last too long though, because as you read more and more tutorials and ebooks on DirectX it starts to make more and more sense. At least that is how it has been for me, and I am still learning new things about DirectX all of the time.

I hope that helps,
Michael Bartman
Dark Omen Studios
(website in progress)

The first thing you should be doing before entering the directx world is learning how to program in windows.. basically just making a window.. changing icons.. cursors.. etc. fun fun after windows programming, directx seems easy :D good places to start (most dx sites include window creation tutorials) are:

www.drunkenhyena.com
www.andypike.com

¬_¬

Should I have a really extended knowledge of C before I try and learn it from those sites? the AndyPike site doesn''t explain anything at all... he presumes I know what all that DX code means. I''m on the verge of throwing my books and computer out the window, because I''m not sure if I will ever be able to understand how to program in Direct X

Forget Direct X anyways man. I hear nothing but bad things about it. The documentation for it is horrible. Its buggy and not supported as much as openGL (And between you and mee, I hear openGL is faster)

Like you I just started also. I have been a Dos programmer for 3-4 years now. I messed with c a little bit, but mostly I coded 2D VGA demos in Quick Basic with ASM. (The QB community is really nice. lots of support, libs, and video game enthusiasts)
Anyways, I just started off with Dev-C++/mingw and OpenGL, so grab yourself a copy and we''ll learn togeather.

-= Twisted Matrix =-

Hey, I would love to start Learning OpenGL with someone, so we can help answer eachothers questions! Email me, or add me to MSN: tommysauder@hotmail.com

You would have to tell me where to download those things and what tutorials we will be learning

Download things, i mean by DevC++ and mingw and Opengl

Well, add me to your friends list, if you don''t have MSN you can get it at: http://messenger.microsoft.com/

Dev-C++ is a free good IDE for c/c++
it comes packaged with mingw (free c++ compiler)
and openGL libraries allready.

Download it here:
http://www.bloodshed.net/

If you want any GL stuff: (I downloaded GLUT)
http://www.openGL.org

-= Twisted Matrix =-

thomas, i d/l messenger and added your email, but it said you were not a MSN user ???

anyways, glut is a middle level api that sits ontop of OpenGL. Its supposed to take away the pain op creating and controlling windows in windows.

-= Twisted Matrix =-

Hey, tommysauder@hotmail.com you have to add the @hotmail.com
what''s your new email at hotmail or msn or whatver? I''ll just add you.

uhh twisted matrix, not to be rude but get your shit straight lol

DirectX is just as supported as OGL if not more so. And the bit about speed difference is BS prove it Some of the documentation is crap but most isn't. You should learn more about a topic before you speak. Oh yea, and no DX is not buggy.

p.s. Did you know that MS works closely with video card manufacturers such as nVidia to make sure that the next release of DirectX will support the new features on the chipsets to be released after the next version of directx will be? So DirectX has support for stuff that isn't supported by the hardware yet when it comes out.

*Edit* and no, I am not saying that DX is better than OGL, they are nearly the same although DX has been pushing ahead slowly. But regardless, I have engine programmers coding OGL into our game engine in addition to me doing DX.

[edited by - TheBartman on October 24, 2002 2:05:27 AM]