Ok i''m looking at starting 3d programing so i''v been checking out peoples source looking around and have discovered inorder to get anywhere in 3d i have to learn about vectors and matrixs(i know i spelled it wrong) and on searching the web i''v learning how to add multiply and do all the cool stuff with vectors but can''t figure out how to use them in a game so i''m hoping someone here knows of a good web site that teachs u how to use vectors & matrix in games??

Vectors are used to a point in 3D basically (x, y, z). Common uses include vertices of 3D models, and lighting normals in OGL (you can get a normal for a vertex using cross product IIRC). They are also used a lot to represent stuff in physics like force and acceleration. You might simulate wind with a vector, or gravity. For particle systems, it is common for each particle to have vectors for position, velocity, and acceleration. The velocity vector is added to the position vector each tick and the acceleration vector is added to the velocity vector each tick.

Matrices are commonly used for transformation. I won''t go into this really, but you should be able to find something if you google ''3D transformation matrix'' or something similar to that. The book OpenGL Game Programming has a rather good explanation of vectors and matrices so if you find OpenGL is your thing, it''s definitely worth your money.

A vector represents a direction and a magnitude. Probably the easiest way to get used to dealing with them is using them to represent velocity.

First, think in 2d. A car is traveling Northeast at 60 mph at a heading of 25o from North. The 60 mph is the magnitude of the vector. The 25o is the direction . One would call this type of representation of a vector polar since it represents the vector directly in terms of an angle and a magnitude. A more common (and often more useful) form, however, is cartesian or component (or rectangular ) form. Now, think of it this way: That same car is going a certain distance East each second, and a certain distance north. You can convert from polar to rectangular using simple trigonometry. For our example, the x component will equal 60sin(25) and the y component will equal 60cos(25). Now, if you need to simulate the car, just add the x component of its velocity vector to the x component of its position each frame, and do the same thing with the y components.

If you are given a vector and need to determine its magnitude [the magnitude of velocity, for example, is speed (No, the two words aren't synonymous)], then you just use the Pythagorean theorem with the x and y components: sqrt(x2+y2). Note that the magnitude of a vector is also less commonly called its absolute value . It is denoted using the same notation you're used to; the absolute value of vector V is |V |.

These same concepts apply in 3d. The difference is merely that there is also a z component.

This should start you on your way. Check the Articles and Resources section here on gamedev for more info. Look for introductory articles on vectors.

Matrices are more difficult. They are used to solve many simultaneous linear equations. You can also find info on gamedev about them.

[edited by - TerranFury on May 9, 2002 7:03:16 PM]

Here's a simple example of the use of matrices. Let's say you have these equations:

5x + 6y = 8
8x - 9y = 4

You want to solve for x and y. You can set this up using matrices like so:

| 5     6 |   | x |   | 8 ||         | * |   | = |   || 8    -9 |   | y |   | 4 |   

I'll replace these matrices with symbols...
A * B = C

You know A and C and must solve for B . You can do this as follows:

B = A -1 * C

You find,

    | 1.03226... |C = |            |    | 0.47312... | 

If you solve with your familiar algebraic techniques you'll get the same results.

It is from these very simple concepts that such things as 3d projection matrices are built.


[edited by - TerranFury on May 9, 2002 7:17:51 PM]