Have you considered SlimDX and C#, lightbulb ?

Like you I find graphics programming far more interesting, at least right now, than game development. I moved from a middleware engine, which I used with Delphi and C++, to D3D/C++ a while ago and got far enough in to it to know that my limited skills in C++ were hindering my progress. So I recently moved to C# and SlimDX and have become more productive. It's still D3D so the tutorials, samples and books are still relevant. But it removes the unwieldy C++ complexity. Doing so might help you ease things a bit and gain a better grasp -- at which point you could always switch back to C++ if one of your goals is to do so.

Jep, my vouch for SlimDX or SharpDX too, if you're mainly after D3D programming. The latter has ongoing development, comes with a XNA-like framework and currently they even integrate Assimp (3D-Model importer).

I mean they require a lot of knowledge on DX commands, structures etc. so I am not sure they are the best for me but still I am trying my best - I managed to do all the exercises after each of the tutorials I read but I don't think the exercises at the end are that hard - maybe it's just me - but when I go over a code I like to know how each and every command and struct works - so if anybody knows any "easier" tutorials(rather with more explanations) I'd be happy to know of them

Starting with D3D11 is hard, I don't think you will find anything easier. Luna is really your best shot here, he progresses slowly and hardly skips any details. He also has good (sometimes not so trivial) exercises .

When you feel comfortable enough, you can also make up your own "exercises" (e.g. ask yourself if and how a certain algorithm could be implemented on the GPU) and start reading more advanced stuff and try to implement them yourself. The GPU Gems series is highly recommended in this regard.

Actually I've been recommended to switch to C# numerous times. Most of the times the argument is that it is "easier"(faster to work with, less cumbersome etc.) I'll probably stick to C++ for a while and maybe after that I'll try C# - thanks for the advice anyways

But it removes the unwieldy C++ complexity.

By complexity you mean?

Jep, my vouch for SlimDX or SharpDX too, if you're mainly after D3D programming. The latter has ongoing development, comes with a XNA-like framework and currently they even integrate Assimp (3D-Model importer).

No I am not mainly after D3D programming. I'd like to learn to program better in C++ as much as I like graphics (and I won't limit myself to D3D only).

Starting with D3D11 is hard, I don't think you will find anything easier. Luna is really your best shot here, he progresses slowly and hardly skips any details. He also has good (sometimes not so trivial) exercises .

Thanks, at least now I'll know that I am not missing something vital - it's nice knowing which books and tutorials to use when learning something

When you feel comfortable enough, you can also make up your own "exercises" (e.g. ask yourself if and how a certain algorithm could be implemented on the GPU) and start reading more advanced stuff and try to implement them yourself. The GPU Gems series is highly recommended in this regard.

Yeah I thought of checking GPU and Game programming gems after I progress more.

Thanks for the valuable advice guys!

By complexity you mean?

Nothing specific, just in general I find C++ more complex and heavy. Which I really like but it adds strain on me trying to learn two things at once. With C# I can pretty much just focus on D3D whereas before I was battling both D3D and C++.

Well I like the complexity and I'm not really in a haste so it doesn't add strain on me.

P.S. Is this book good? http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-DirectX-11-Game-Programming/dp/1435458958