Why to use DirectX?

Why to use DirectX?

• Mahesh Bhosle

  Thank you! Now I know enough to start.
  
  Timo
  
  
  

• Raccess

   

  For a program like that you could go either way. It all depends on what way you would like to go. You could create the application using a 2D tile system, or by createing a full 3d system.

  For a 2D system that might meat your needs have a look at the FlatRedBall 2.5d Engine.

  
  
  

• Chicken-Man

  I'm comparing it to Open GL and (GDI+ Can I compare it to this.). I'd like to use it in games programming and in my opinion it's great that I can get so close to the hardware. You assured me, so I'd like to learn more about DirectX. Where can I find some tutorials or examples Can I find those in Microsoft's site
  
  Thank you very much, Timo!
  
  
  

• mike_mds

  Okay. I'll ask if I have questions. Those tutorials look good, so now I'm going to take a look at those. Thanks for your help!
  
  Timo
  
  
  

• 30WAK_Cat

  I'm not going to make any big game now, but I would like to know can I make a similar game to Chris Sawyer's Locomotion
  
  If you don't know the game you can check this:
  
  http://www.atari.com/us/games/locomotion/pc
  
  If I could, should I use Direct3d or what
  
  Thanks!
  Timo
  
  
  

• Colin Grealy

  Speed. Also, it's the industry standard.

  But, most people find the COM interface structures a little intimidating at first.

  
  

• Ana Elisa

   

  I have been doing a bit of work with 2d, so if you have any questions just ask. I will hopefully be posting some content over the next few weeks that might also help.

  I did start a tutorial series that I plan to finish, here is the location.

  
  
  

• pogmothoin

  Timo S wrote:

  I'm comparing it to Open GL and (GDI+ Can I compare it to this.).

  DirectX is a suite of three tools (Direct3D, DirectInput and DirectSound), so if you're talking about graphics then you'll obviously want to look at and compare with Direct3D.

  GDI+, as far as I'm aware, is 2D-only. Direct3D and OpenGL will do 2D as well as 3D but it's worth realising that their emphasis is more on 3D.

  You may also want to look into the advanced technologies coming up in Windows Vista. I can't find it now, but there was a pretty cool video on Channel9 where one of the developers showcased the new 3D GUI stuff.

  Timo S wrote:

  I'd like to use it in games programming and in my opinion it's great that I can get so close to the hardware.

  Games programming will pretty much mean that you're going to want to focus on Direct3D and/or OpenGL.

  Timo S wrote:

  You assured me, so I'd like to learn more about DirectX. Where can I find some tutorials or examples Can I find those in Microsoft's site

  Yes, you can indeed. The DirectX Developer Center is the place to start - it's got the download links as well as the SDK documentation (Samples, Tutorials). I recommend starting with this page.

  If you're new to graphics programming and intend to actually go "somewhere" with this then it'd be worth picking up one of the texts on 3D graphics. The SDK's documentation does a lot to explain the theory but it still requires a reasonable understanding of graphics concepts and the (sometimes complex) mathematics that underpin it all.

  Good luck

  
  
  

• Dan9057

  Thank you Glenn!
  I've read about 2D tile system. Sounds good. I don't know if it's easier than Direct3D, but I'm going to use it.
  
  
  

• rreyna

  This is a difficult question to answer without some context.

  What are you comparing it to and what are you wanting to use it for

  DirectX is commonly used in games and high end multimedia, and as such is probably overkill for a lot of "normal" Windows applications. Although, having said that, Windows Vista has more of an emphasis on graphics/eye-candy so this could change in the near future.

  Likewise, what's good for games isn't necessarily good for scientific and engineering purposes. The limitations of GPU's in this sense has been discussed a few times on these forums.

  In a nutshell, it's more than performance - it's about features and the direct access to them. Via DirectInput/DirectSound/Direct3D you can get very close to the hardware and hence leverage it's true power (in the form of features and performance) - rather than going through the "one size fits all" high-level WinAPI type methods.

  hth
  Jack

  
  
  
• Why to use DirectX?