Net Game Programming With Directx 9 0

Here is an easy and fun way to become familiar with the .NET platform while learning all about game programming.

Managed DirectX was released with the latest version of the core DirectX libraries in DirectX9. It enables developers using the new .NET languages (i.e. C#, VB.NET, etc.) to develop rich multimedia applications with DirectX. Unfortunately the Managed DirectX runtime was released without adequate documentation, and developers are having a hard time figuring out the best way to write managed applications. This book covers how to use the Managed DirectX objects, how they differ from the core DirectX libraries, and how to create these rich multimedia applications in C#. It also covers in depth graphics techniques and the new high-level shader language shipping with DirectX9.

Written in easy-to-understand language, this book is a must-read if you'd like to create out-of-the-ordinary, yet simple games. Authors Alexandre Lobao and Ellen Hatton demonstrate the ease of producing multimedia games with Managed DirectX 9.0 and programming the games with Visual Basic .NET on the Everett version of Microsoft's Visual Studio. The authors emphasize simplicity, but still explore important concepts of Managed DirectX 9.0, such as Direct3D, DirectSound, DirectMusic (using the COM interface), DirectInput (including force-feedback joysticks), DirectShow, and DirectPlay. Additional chapters discuss game programming technologies: Speech API for generating character voices, GDI+ for simple games, and multithreading. A bonus chapter even shows you how to port a simple game to a Pocket PC. The book includes two chapters' worth of sample games. The first presents a game with simple features; the second extends that game and presents additional concepts. A library of game programming helper classes is also created, step by step, in both chapters.

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 9.0c: A Shader Approach presents an introduction to programming interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on game development, using real-time shaders with DirectX 9.0. The book is divided into three parts that explain basic mathematical and 3D concepts, show how to describe 3D worlds and implement fundamental 3D rendering techniques, and demonstrate the application of Direct3D to create a variety of special effects. With this book understand basic mathematical tools used in video game creation such as vectors, matrices, and transformations; discover how to describe and draw interactive 3D scenes using Direct3D and the D3DX library; learn how to implement lighting, texture mapping, alpha blending, and stenciling using shaders and the high-level shading language (HLSL); explore a variety of techniques for creating special effects, including vertex blending, character animation, terrain rendering, multi-texturing, particle systems, reflections, shadows, and normal mapping;f ind out how to work with meshes, load and render .X files, program terrain/camera collision detection, and implement 3D object picking; review key ideas, gain programming experience, and explore new topics with the end-of-chapter exercises.

Targets experienced computer game programmers as well as those interested in computer game development.

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 9.0 provides an introduction to programming interactive 3D computer graphics using DirectX 9.0, with an emphasis on game development. The book begins with an explanation of mathematical tools and moves on to general 3D concepts. Other topics include performing basic operations in Direct3D such as primitive drawing, lighting, texturing, alpha blending, and stenciling, and using Direct3D to implement techniques that could be required in a game. Chapters on vertex and pixel shaders, including the effects framework and the new High-Level Shading Language, wrap up the discussion. Understand basic mathematical and 3D concepts; learn how to describe and draw interactive 3D scenes using the Direct3D 9.0 API; use Direct3D and the D3DX utility library to implement a variety of techniques and applications, such as transparency, shadows, reflections, fonts, meshes, using XFiles, progressive meshes, terrain rendering, particle systems, picking, cartoon rendering, and multitexturing; find out how to write vertex and pixel shader programs with the High-Level Shading Language; discover how to write and use effect files with the Direct3D effects framework.

This book gives hobbyists and professional programmers the knowledge necessary to create a real time strategy game of their own.