Hi,

I have PRPG, and it is a very good book. I think that Jim did a good job in teaching the concepts before creating a core or library, so that the user actually understands what he/she is using. I don''t use Jim''s core, but I used it to model my current engine. I don''t know about Jim, but I think it was intended as an example, or something so that the very impatient people would be able to hammer out a game in a short amount of time.

I find most computer books are very hard to work with, because most people (including some authors) do not know how to "read" a computer book. You need to approch it very dynamically, not in any order (ie, chap 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). What I mean is, you can''t just say your going to sit down and read the whole book and then expect to know everything

You need to use it as a type of reference. When you need more information, you can sit down and read a few chapters. Otherwise, just have it on your desk so you can quickly refer to it when you are stuck. I think Jim did a good job of separating practical from theory. In-between code there is not much writing, so it is easy to find things quickly.

I was also disapointed to see that skinned x-files were not addressed in the book, but now I realize that it would have been very hard to fit them in, as they are a big topic. I think that Microsoft should really devote a large portion of the sdk to skinned x files in the next release.

Until some other resource comes out for loading skinned x files, I guess we''ll either have to use another format (such as MD2) or spend countless hours searching the web or someones code.

Fuzztrek

¬_¬

I'm not disliking it, its a GREAT book, but I, myself, expected more programming with Direct3D -and maths.

I find Jim a genius, like the cStateManager, I couldnt have come up with anything better then that...

assert( g_bPeace == true );

[edited by - Pipo DeClown on November 2, 2002 8:42:16 AM]

You should definitely write an article about skinned meshes, seems that nobody gets them!

I have read about using x files and stuff, and im currently trying to understand the skinned mesh in SDK, but what I could not figure out is, how to animate these .x files. I tried to create my character in 3ds max and animated it. But I guess the xfile exporter would not export key framed animation... so how can I export or create my animation...
Some guy told me that it was in the animationset {}
So will I change every single element in the mesh?

i hope someone could help.

I''ve actually just ordered the book, because I see good reviews on all the programming book sites I see.

Good, because its not a bad book, just not what I expected. It does what it says, teach you how to make an RPG.