How can I do full screen GDI graphics? I don''t want to just take over the current screen but go full screen, possibly in lower resolutions. Just for simple games like PacMan and Breakout. About how far can I get before I NEED DirectDraw? What will be the first bottlenecks and problems I will run in to by just using the GDI?

Well, it can''t hurt to start with DirectDraw as soon as possible, it''s not that hard. But in order to do a full screen game in GDI, all you would have to do is create a window, the size of the screen, at (0,0). Some of the style flags (I don''t remember which one, look them up in the help files) will make the window without a title bar and will even draw it over the start menu.

To change the resolution is a different story, but there''s an article up on GameDev about it changing it with the Win32 API rather than DirectX. That''s kind of extreme though I think, seeing as if your game crashes the res won''t be changed back, I don''t think.

If I were you, I would just start with DirectX now. Then you won''t have to unlearn anything later.

robvas: you wont be able to do much in GDI, i suggest you go buy a good book on directx(TOTWGPG?)
directdraw is pretty easy once u get into it, and its easier and more efficient than trying to make a fullscreen GDI game

Yeah, that book is definitely a great choice for learning DirectDraw. It''s so much nicer, and more effective, than dealing with Windows GDI. And honestly, it''s easy. I just learned it on my own about two months ago and I already know enough to do my RPG project with.


-Ironblayde
Aeon Software

if you like GDI, make a window the same width and height as the resolution and make it without borders. hehe, the easy way out.

JoeMont001@aol.com www.polarisoft.n3.net