q)i want to learn about creating terrain with directx. do I need a 3d modelling software to create and use directx to move about (to get best results)? q)does anyone know some links to learn off?

Q1) Can you rephrase the question? I'm assuming you mean, "Do I need a 3D modelling software to create terrain?" so that's what my answer will be oriented from.

Now, my answer is probably not the best, possibly wrong, I tried to make 3D games like everyone else did right from the start, but never got anywhere.

What I did to create terrain, was create a heightmap. A heightmap is a greyscale image that shows colors from white to black. From there, you can render the heightmap in your program, and apply other maps that could possibly contain shadows, and/or textures. A heightmap can be created in numerous programs, google for it. A popular known one is Terragen, however I used a less known about one called L3DT.

Alternativly, you can create terrain as mesh, in a 3D file format, such as .3ds, and could render the model and use that as the terrain.

Q2)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX
http://www.andypike.com/tutorials/directx8/
http://www.codeproject.com/cs/media/mdx_tutorial1.asp
http://www.riemers.net/
http://www.drunkenhyena.com/
http://www.programmingcentral.com/source/ddraw.html
http://www.sunlightd.com/Windows/DirectX.NET/

Some of those are for C#, some are for C++, it would help if you gave us more information.

Quote:Original post by JRavey
I think you should give serious consideration to using a heightmap.

q)I want to create terrain and then use it in a directx program with c++ (not c#).What is the standard way to go to create terrain, use a 3d modeling software and to create height maps, or can you create a good effect from inside directX? Basically I want to be able to learn about creating terrain and moving about with it with c++/d3d.

q) Can you use a free 3d modelling software to go a good job (just for learning purposes) like Blender?

ps I think this is about as clear as I can be

[Edited by - jagguy on June 7, 2006 6:38:18 AM]

Quote:Original post by jagguy

Quote:Original post by JRavey
I think you should give serious consideration to using a heightmap.

q)I want to create terrain and then use it in a directx program with c++ (not c#).What is the standard way to go to create terrain, use a 3d modeling software and to create height maps, or can you create a good effect from inside directX? Basically I want to be able to learn about creating terrain and moving about with it with c++/d3d.

q) Can you use a free 3d modelling software to go a good job (just for learning purposes) like Blender?

ps I think this is about as clear as I can be

Why don't you read my post? I already answered that.

thanks for the advice so far.

-what i wanted ( I haven't looked through some docs yet as suggested) was a terrain map software eg terragen, and create terrain as a mesh file as this seems to most standard way to go (I don't know how to do).

-Load this in a directx C++ program (not C#) and turn it into a 3d scene ( of which i don't know how to do but i know basic directx and c++). I don't know how yet to take a heightmap and convert it to a 3d display in directx.

Maybe a tutorial or easy sample is what i am looking for, and might find myself since I have something to go on now.

Quote:Original post by jagguy
i know basic directx and c++

I think what you are trying to do is a bit too advanced yet. Try working through the tutorials the first poster suggested. I'd bet you could create your terrain without any help after you've read them.