Hi!
I have been interested in videogame programming for ages, but never stepped in until a few weeks ago. I read "Beginning C++ game Programming", and found it very interesting, and useful. But now, I have absolutely no idea of how to continue.
I want to start with graphics... so I have to choose between directly starting with OpenGL or DirectX, or using Allegro, XNA, SDL, etc.
I don't know what to do... I would love it if you could help me decide.
After deciding that, I will need books... and that is another huge problem. I would love it if somebody could suggest me a book that tought you everything, from basic pure C++ language, to either DirectX, OpenGL, Allegro, XNA, Sdl... or whichever of them I choose. If there isn't a book like that... you could also provide me with a "path of books". Example: A book that teaches you c++ basics, another one that goes from C++ basics to DirectX/OpenGL/XNA/Allegro/SDL basics, another one that goes deeper into the library I choose,etc.
Thanks for the help.
Steps...
I started with the same book, and I also had the same problem you did... where to go next. I ended up learning SDL, and found Lazy Foo's tutorials to be the best resource on the net (theres not really a good SDL book as far as I know). You can find those here: http://lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/index.php
Its worth noting that lately I have seen most people suggesting SFML instead of SDL. SFML is great, but the problem is there really isn't a ton of SFML tutorials out there... so a total begginer to graphics might have problems with it IMO. Thus I would suggest sticking with SDL until you have gotten your feet wet using graphics, and made at least a couple games. Then you could possibly consider moving on to SFML, or if you want give 3D a try with DirectX/OpenGL. As for learning resources with DirectX or OpenGL I really couldn't help you with that, since I have had a though time finding solid learning resources for them myself.
Its worth noting that lately I have seen most people suggesting SFML instead of SDL. SFML is great, but the problem is there really isn't a ton of SFML tutorials out there... so a total begginer to graphics might have problems with it IMO. Thus I would suggest sticking with SDL until you have gotten your feet wet using graphics, and made at least a couple games. Then you could possibly consider moving on to SFML, or if you want give 3D a try with DirectX/OpenGL. As for learning resources with DirectX or OpenGL I really couldn't help you with that, since I have had a though time finding solid learning resources for them myself.
Thanks for answering...
I've got another question for you... did you went directly from "Beginning C++ Game Programming" to those tutorials? Or did you read some other book before starting with those tutorials?
Just want to know... thanks.
I've got another question for you... did you went directly from "Beginning C++ Game Programming" to those tutorials? Or did you read some other book before starting with those tutorials?
Just want to know... thanks.
While it is enticing to get into graphics, you'll need to have a good foundation in your programming language syntax as well as general program design. And just learning from books isn't going to do it. Program design is as much an art as science. You'll need to practice with some simple text programs to get some of that experience...
For the most part, yes I started learning SDL right after I was done with "Beginning C++ Game Programming". Was that a good thing to do? I really couldn't tell you since I'm far from an expert... but it worked for me. It probably wouldn't hurt to pick up a copy of C++ Primer and read through it first, but so long as you understood everything you read and did the exercises in the book you read... you should be fine picking up the basics of SDL.
Others might have different, or better advice so you might want to get a second opinion before you make any decisions on where to go next, but if it were me... I'd just jump into learning SDL (or SFML) and see how far I could get.
Others might have different, or better advice so you might want to get a second opinion before you make any decisions on where to go next, but if it were me... I'd just jump into learning SDL (or SFML) and see how far I could get.
I'd say try finding another C++ book and read into that to learn more about the language (and possibly some more about programming). If you can understand C++ jumping into SFML wouldn't be too bad. The SFML website (Link) will give you some help in the right direction with using it, but unless you can understand the documentation, you probably won't get very far just going off the tutorial.
Go ahead and start learning SDL. As long as you can figure out how to link the SDL libs to your app, the actual code for working with SDL is quite simple.
I wouldn't suggest SFML for a beginner. You need tut's.
As for DirectX or OpenGL. I think you should leave those for now. You should have some fundamental knowledge about graphics and programming before you tackle those.
Stick to 2D with SDL and you will have enough to keep you occupied for many months, years even. 2D graphics will give you (some of) the foundation for moving on to 3D.
I wouldn't suggest SFML for a beginner. You need tut's.
As for DirectX or OpenGL. I think you should leave those for now. You should have some fundamental knowledge about graphics and programming before you tackle those.
Stick to 2D with SDL and you will have enough to keep you occupied for many months, years even. 2D graphics will give you (some of) the foundation for moving on to 3D.
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