I'm reading it right now; sorry if it seemed lazy of me asking right out. If I've more questions after I'm done, I'll be back. thanks

I know that you probably have your mind made up, but let me make this suggestion: Don't make a 3D game until you have finished a 2D one. Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't study and learn 3D programming -- nothing wrong with that. Go ahead and code up little test apps and whatever you like.

But what you'll find when doing 3D programming is that it's not drawing triangles or transforming objects which is the tough part -- it's the design issues you'll face. You'll find it much easier to finish your 3D game if you've actually finished a 2D one first because you will have learned a lot about how to code games.

So my suggestion is this: learn all you can about whatever subjects you like -- even if there a bit above your head at this point. Just don't commit yourself to making anything but simple games to start with. You'll thak yourself later .

--TheGoop

Thanks for the tip; I read through a guide on this site as to what games you should try to program to start off with, and after the advice in there, I'll probably start off with Tetris. I still want to toy around with 3D though; even just getting a box up that I can maybe manipulate would be good. I just love messing around with 3D packages (the shareware versions, anyway) and my head is buzzing with ideas for 3D games. But I will aim low to begin with. I got myslef a copy of turbo C, and from a free library, a book on learning C++. It's first lesson is the "Hello World!" program, but I'm already having a bit of aproblem. It concerns the "#include " command. It can't find the file when I try to compile. all the include files are in a folder labled Include, but when I move the iostream.h file into the directory that the program is located in, it can open the iostream.h file, but then can't open the mem.h file. When I move the mem.h file into the directory where the program is located as with the iostream.h file, it makes no difference. I looked through the help files on this, but couldn't find anything on it. Any ideas?

I'm going to assume certain things here, so if I'm making wrong assumptions, I'm sorry.

I'm assuming you're using this method:

code:

#include "iostream.h"

the quotation marks tell the preprocessor to look in the current directory for the file, and if it can't find it, it aborts. Almost all recent compilers take this one step further and also search the \include directory, but it looks like you have an old compiler so it doesn't search there.

The solution is to enclose the filename in angle brackets < and >, but make SURE you don't put spaces before or after the filename. This will not work:

code:

#include < iostream.h >

and this will work:

code:

#include < iostream.h>

(UBB software treats this as an HTML tag, so I couldn't write it as I normally would because it would erase it. In your code, don't leave spaces around the filename)

The rule of thumb is when you're using the compiler's header files, use < > because that's where they're located, and when you're including your own headers, use " " because they're usually in the working directory.

Hope that helps.

[This message has been edited by foofightr (edited November 28, 1999).]

Hmmmm....it didn't work. Could my compiler be messed up?

On that note, I'm thinking of getting the academic version of Visual Basic 6.0, as I heard its easier to use. There are 3 versions, however, Enterprise, Professional, and Standard (I think). Professional looks to be the best, because the upgrade options seem good, but what which one would you recommend?

In the mean time I'll struggle on with TurboC. If anyone has a solution to my problem, please help!

This is just a shot in the dark, but double-check that the file you are trying to compile has a .cpp extension, not a .c extension. A (slightly) different compiler is used for c++ code than c code.

I am used to programming with Borland.(what I learned in school) I just bought Visual C++ 6.0 Standard for $50....after a $50 rebate. I knw that if you choose this compiler...it will be a lot easier to get help...and also....DirectX SDK is aimed toward the visual products. Standard edition would be fine for you i think. ALl you really need is the compiler.(well....for now anyways) The enviroment isn't hard to learn(though i do prefer Borland) If money is a problem (guessing, because you want everything free) Just ask for it for christmas. Any graphics programs you would need... Just basic paint...for now anyways...if you want a free 3d program....Truespace version 1.0 has been released freely....legally....Good luck...And never stop asking questions. The only dumb one is the one which hasn't been asked. My biggest problems with coding is just setting up the compiler. I had a friend at RedStorm help me with that....I also recommend Lamothe's book ....his new one....Windows Game Programming Gurus book...(His rehash of his older book) ....bout 40 dollars...It really helps with learning directx, and windows fundamentals.

[This message has been edited by BrentP4 (edited November 29, 1999).]

When I first decided to start programming games, I also needed everything to be "free". So what I would do is find a book (e.g. Teach yourself games, c++, etc.). Most of these books come with free compilers, though older versions. Up until recently I was using Visual C++ 4.2 Standard edition that I got "free". These packages rarely cost more than $30-$40, and MSVC 4 continues to work with DirectX7.
As far as "free" graphics, I got a limited edition of Adobe Photoshop "free" with my new CD burner. This program is great for someone like me to make mediocre graphics look (at best) decent.
Good luck!

Thanks to you all for your comments;

Kyle - I check the file extensions, but still nothing. Could it be anything else?

Brent & Crazy - Thanks for the tips I'll be sure to look up that free version off Truespace; I've heard good things about the program, and even if it's not very powerful it'll be a good start. AS for Visual C++ 6.0, I just found out that academic discounts are only available in the US...at least if your buying from Microsofts Website I'll probably still get it, but I'm just wondering: have microsoft released any of their Visual C++ as freeware? Like earlier versions of the program?

As for books, I found a free "Learn C++ in 21 days" from an online library, and am following it to start with. Once I get a bit of cash, i'll invest in some more game specific ones

Oh, and about 3D engines; I saw some available for download from this site, but can anyone reccomend one? There is no ratings on them, so it's hard to tell which one is the most stable, best performer etc. Thanks...

[This message has been edited by Retrep (edited November 29, 1999).]