I am currently developing my first tile-based game. I am using Visual Basic with windows API to display graphics. I am going to want to do effects such as fades and dissolves. The only funcions I know of allow only 256 colors. Is there a way I can get 16 bit without using Direct-X. If not does anyone know of any good direct-X tutrials for Visual Basic 6.0. Thank you for any help.

i would not recommend 256 colours, you should use at least 16bit
i would recommend starting with DirectX
i havn''t had any experience with VB + DX, but here are some links

http://64.23.12.52/ - DirectX for Visual Basic

Visual Basic Explorer

http://www.chez.com/scribe/en/index.htm

Visual Basic Developers Community

hope this helps

Thanks a lot.