I''m learning VB right now and wondering what I''m going to need to write game programs. To display graphics and such will I need something like DirectX or DirectX itself? What do yall recomend? Also where can i find good tutorials for using these in VB? thx for your help in advance. Hydra Out

You can use openGL or directX for graphics, or the windows API, or the built in vb commands like paintpicture. Paintpicture is really slow, but is very simple to use, so may be a good starting point. The windows API is more complicated, and not as good for graphics as openGL or directX, so I''d skip that. I''ve never tried directX under vb, but openGL works great. Search for Nehe tutorials for openGL. The first few include source for vb. Should be enough to get you started. Cheers.

Thrump

Being very knowlegeable in VB (and not C++)i also started learning OpenGl in VB. However, I found it to be VERY slow. Since VB wants to do everything for you.

If your just starting to learn and want to do games...learn C++. I did and the performace increase is very nice. Also you get the flexability and control with C++ that you don''t in VB.

I still do OpenGL in vb...like to test things...cause I can code 10 times faster in that then I can in C++ (still being novice).




Jenison
''There is no reason to have math part of the curriculum in schools. Why should we have to know 2x = 3y - 5. We have computers now." - Rosie O''Donnle

Thx for the responses. I plan on learning C++ in the future, but i figured that VB is simple enough for me to get started with as a first programming language. But if C++ is that much better mabye ill start looking into it now though. Either way I can only do simple programs just starting out.

Then I strongly suggest starting with C++. I did start with C++ a long time ago...but then slow migrated to VB...and was eventually full blown VB. Once I did get into OpenGL more I then made the transition back to C++.

You will learn so much on the way the OS works because your forced to deal with it. VB takes you away from that level and handles it all for you (which has its pros and cons).

But since you are new to programming learning C++ would be the way to go...If your a MS kinda person, then knowing both VB and C++ is good. Cause you can just crank out utils in VB like no other. Which really is my only complaint about C++...is that UI is much harder to do then it is in VB...since vb does everything for you.

I''m MS right now making a switch to Linux. I don''t think I''ll get away from MS totally for awhile but since C++ works on both Linux and MS...I''m going with C++





Jenison
''There is no reason to have math part of the curriculum in schools. Why should we have to know 2x = 3y - 5. We have computers now." - Rosie O''Donnle

Well if C++ is that good I''ll look into it for sure. I bought a book on it about a year ago but moved away cause it seemed complicated. I''ll dig the book back out now though. I''ll still be learning VB as part of college but I''ll concentrate some on C++ too now. Thx for the help.