any good place to learn DirectDraw/3D or OpenGL?

[stilz]

im looking for tutorials for either one of them. uh, something that starts from the very basic, like how to set them up and things. i tried several, and their codes just won't run on my school's machine /w visual c++ or visual studio c++ .net ...or something like that. btw, im really confused about those stuff. what's the deal /w studio or .net? what advantages do they offer over other compilers?
i read somewhere that you need the SDK for creating directx programs, is that correct? or could you get the libraries somewhere? (legally, of course). yeah... the graphic API or what's it called we use back in highschool was Cmugraphics, and i think i should move on now.
thanks guys and girls

[_E_]

msdn.microsoft.com , grab the Direct X9 SDK (summer update) from there.It contains samples, tutorials and the DX libraries needed. Beware though, You should be at a very good level in C++ and be familiar with windows programming. Otherwise, it will just confuse you and you wont gain anything from it

Yours,
-Elly

[stilz]

wow.. didn't know you could just download the SDK, thought you have to subscribe or pay couple hundred $ to get it. uh, i dont know if i'd say i'm 'very good' with c++, maybe 'fairly familiar'.
thanks

[Ramsus K]

If you haven't worked with the Win32 API, I'd suggest learning some of the basics. Try winprog.net and work your way through their tutorials. Be aware that it teaches pure Win32 API, which is written in C, but you can use it just fine in C++.

If you don't have any trouble with learning basic Windows programming (minus the Hungarian notation), then move on to DirectX. Just make sure you understand how the preprocessor works, as well as pointers in relation to arrays, pointer arithmetic, and memory management in general. A firm understanding of pointers is a must.

Also, keep in mind the DirectX SDK is a few hundred megabytes in size, so start downloading it sooner rather than later. That way, when you get there, you'll have it installed and ready.

As for compilers, if you go with Visual C++, use the latest Visual Studio version, since 6.0 is horribly antiquidated.


You can also do SDL/OpenGL using Bloodshed C++. The learning curve isn't as great, the APIs are easier, and your code can be easily ported to other OS's. You don't have to learn any quirky Win32 API stuff either.

[stilz]

can't you also do OpenGL with other compilers as long as you include the uh... libraries? What are the ups of Bloodshed C++? The only one i have experience so far is Codewarrior learning edition... ...

[Ramsus K]

I can give two VERY good reasons:

• It's open source and free.
• The license doesn't place any restrictions on you. You can develop any software under any license you want without having to worry about royalties or "student edition" popups.

Besides that, it's a fairly decent IDE.

It also uses the Windows port of GCC, which is one of the most up to date and standards compliant C/C++ compilers you can use. GCC is the default compiler used by Apple for Mac OS X, and it's also the compiler used by all of the Linux distributions out there as well as NetBSD, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD.

GCC also has many ports to OS's like Irix and Solaris. It can even be used to cross-develop software for gaming systems like the Gameboy Advance and the PS2.


Of course, that's all fine and dandy, but if you have money and all you want is to do Windows programming, especially if it's DirectX and MFC, then Visual C++ is probably your best bet. Just get the latest version.

[stilz]

thanks man, i'll go look for it.
do you know good books or websites that teach OpenGL?

[Ramsus K]

There are two legendary OpenGL books known as the Red book and the Blue book (If I recall correctly). Old versions of these two books should be available online. The older version of the Red book should be good enough to learn the basics from.

Also, check out http://www.gamedev.net and http://nehe.gamedev.net/

[stilz]

thanks man, study time