I''m totally new to this and would like some information, please. I would like to know what such engine actually does. And how its built(not step by step, but a general view). I would also like to find out what they are used for and see some comparing between these engines. A few links would be great to have. =) Thank you Kheldon

quote: Original post by Kheldon
I''m totally new to this and would like some information, please.
I would like to know what such engine actually does. And how its built(not step by step, but a general view). I would also like to find out what they are used for and see some comparing between these engines.
A few links would be great to have. =)


Thank you

Kheldon

The 3D engine does what the name implies, it does all the calculations needed to display the 3D enviroment for what ever program its being used in (like Quake or Half Life for example).
As for how there put together. You came to right place to find out. GameDev has tons of tutorials on the subject. Check out the "Articles & Resources" section. If you can''t find enough here you can goto www.gdse.com

I wish I could remember the name of the book... I''d look it up, but it''s at home in my collection of "outdated books." At any rate, there''s a book that walks you through the basic math, etc. of programming a "3D Engine" (Really something like 2.5D or so, old-Wolfenstein 3D-esque).

It seems like Trent is doing something with engine creation over on his NeHe series... and I''m sure there are plenty of other sites (at least one or two of gamedev''s hosted sites) and lots of books...not to knock anyone''s tutorial writing skills (I''m sure mine aren''t any better) but sometimes a book is more likely to be helpful than a ''net tutorial, if you''re willing to shell out the cash.

Cash, well, remember to try your library before you do that =)

though game programming books are a bit harder to find Chicago Libraries have an old 3D Engine book that some people suggest if you want to know all of the concepts behind 3D, you know, back in the DOS days.

quote: Original post by Sinner_Zero
Cash, well, remember to try your library before you do that =)

...Realizing, of course, how unlikely that might be, depending on locale. The only useful programming book my local library had was a Dietel book on beginning C++ and OOP. Sadly enough, the only reasonably useful programming book I''ve seen at my university''s main library is "Teach Yourself Flash 5 in 24 hours" (which I heard sucked anyway).

Son of a... That AP was me. That whole "Login" thing didn''t actually keep me logged in on the boards for some reason...grr-bah.