Help me get started please
Hello fellow programmers and wannabees.
I'm new to using this site, even if I've been here for a while. Finaly I've decided to give game programming a try. I'm fairly good with C++, but it's been some... 7 years ago since I really used it... so I'm rusty and can't remember the syntax by heart anymore, but I can read it fine. Anyhow, I'm looking to get started with DirectX! That's what I need help with.
I have two IDE's. Dev-cpp and Visual Studio .Net 2003. I used to use Borland, but I want to use either of the other two now. I suppose Visual Studio .Net will be my choise since DirectX is MS tech.
Anyway. I need to learn the MS IDE and DirectX, and my game will be a Tetris clone of some sort. I would like to use DirectX 8 or 9 SDK.
So, with this in mind, now I will try to:
1) Get the SDK installed. I assume this don't need to be the same version as my DirextX runtime installation? (9b I think.)
2) Setup a project in my IDE that I can work on... figuring out what to include and what not.
3) Compile my first little 2D sample program.
I've looked around the site of course, but still need that golden document that explains it and shows me step by step.
Should I succeed(!) THEN you will get that document. :) So help me out gurus or not.
Hello, Gretter. Instead of starting out with DirectX 8 or 9, you might want to try using SDL, Allegro, or Clanlib. You can find these libraries at the following sites:
SDL
Allegro
Clanlib
Each of these libraries will help you focus more on the game programming aspects and less on the initialization aspects.
SDL
Allegro
Clanlib
Each of these libraries will help you focus more on the game programming aspects and less on the initialization aspects.
^^pppft... If you're a decent c or c++ programmer youll be able to pickup directx. Dev-cpp 4.9.9.0 and directx 8.1 are my weapons of choice. With dev-c++ check ou tthe package manager functions under tools. If you're hell bent on using msvs thats ok too I would guess its split about 50-50 around here. Your SDK need not be the same version as the runtime your using, itll install the latest version for you. If you're going to use dev-c++ it can be tricky to find a compatible directx libs so if you cant find em in package manager ask here ill see if I can Upload em somewhere.
Here is a few links I found useful in getting started with DX...
Gamedev DX forum FAQ
Gamedev's DX forum
DH Direct3d tutorials
DX 8.1 reference
Directx 9.0 reference
Here is a few links I found useful in getting started with DX...
Gamedev DX forum FAQ
Gamedev's DX forum
DH Direct3d tutorials
DX 8.1 reference
Directx 9.0 reference
Quote:Original post by chad_420
Because I cant get DX9 working with gcc(I just cant find the libs...)
Order the Visual Studio Team Suite (Professional + Team stuff) 2005 beta 2 from Microsofts site. It's free, no shipping costs. Comes with 4 DVDs!
Or download the Express version, but that didn't work on my comp.
I would strongly recommend DX 9 over 8. But if you don't want to use Visual Studio use OpenGL instead ;)
To all, thanks for the input.
It's interresting that no one imidately writes VS .Net and DirectX is THE choise. The right combo for game programming.
To Chad_420:
The library problem was the first reason why I abbandoned Dev-cpp, but you give me hope.
I was trying to get invovled in a space/elite like project at one point, but I simply couldn't compile the source code with the IDE/Compiler I used at the time, and time passed by... and I stated playing NWN.
I might PM you for some more info., if I don't get on the right path with VS.
If anyone is programming with Visual Studio .Net 2003 and DirectX and has a link to the starting point, including setting up IDE, then I would appriciate it, but if you do, you can be sure I'll ask you some more info. when I get stuck. ;-)
It's interresting that no one imidately writes VS .Net and DirectX is THE choise. The right combo for game programming.
To Chad_420:
The library problem was the first reason why I abbandoned Dev-cpp, but you give me hope.
I was trying to get invovled in a space/elite like project at one point, but I simply couldn't compile the source code with the IDE/Compiler I used at the time, and time passed by... and I stated playing NWN.
I might PM you for some more info., if I don't get on the right path with VS.
If anyone is programming with Visual Studio .Net 2003 and DirectX and has a link to the starting point, including setting up IDE, then I would appriciate it, but if you do, you can be sure I'll ask you some more info. when I get stuck. ;-)
Setting up the IDE goes like this:
1. Install VS .NET 2003
2. Install DX SDK
The SDK installer setts up all the paths etc.
1. Install VS .NET 2003
2. Install DX SDK
The SDK installer setts up all the paths etc.
Quote:Original post by MickePickeQuote:Original post by chad_420
Because I cant get DX9 working with gcc(I just cant find the libs...)
Order the Visual Studio Team Suite (Professional + Team stuff) 2005 beta 2 from Microsofts site. It's free, no shipping costs. Comes with 4 DVDs!
Or download the Express version, but that didn't work on my comp.
I would strongly recommend DX 9 over 8. But if you don't want to use Visual Studio use OpenGL instead ;)
1. I dont use microsoft IDE's or compilers anymore(they discontinued msvc 6 for directx, which is the last one a bought, it had a p.o.s compiler anyways)
2. No DVD drive :D
3. I use gcc, im not switching.
4.Whats wrong with dx 8.1? I would bet that neither of us are good enough programmers to use either version to its limits! or even close.
Back on topic. Directx8 for Dev-cpp/gcc(BIN ~1.0mb) The archive contains instructions for setup. Ill leave that up for awhile...
I would also say you should start with sdl using dev-c++. Cone3d has some great tutorials. Also openGL would be easy to use with dev. If you want to go directX though, you should def. use Visual Studio. It is much easier to use DirectX with VS rather than with dev. There are many good tutorials on this site, Good luck with whatever you choose.
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