I want to learn graphics programming for C++ with DirectX, but I can't find a guide online that is consistent, complete, and isn't just telling me to copy and paste the code (I obviously want to understand what the hell I'm typing, and be able to apply it effectively elsewhere, not just in the context of the tutorial). Quite tired of spending hours of my time following a lesson and hitting dead links.
I've always, always have had better luck and absorbed more from a physical book (or printed e-book). So if there isn't some online resource I missed for learning how to use DirectX with C++ (I already have a firm grasp on all the core concepts of it), if I could get a reliable book recommendation, that would be fantastic.
tl;dr - I need a book (or other resource) that teaches DirectX in the context of C++
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Anonymous2012-05-13 21:31
You need to learn the basics of 3d rendering first before jumping in the deep end with DirectX.
Use OpenGL/GLUT for a few months, abstract out your code, and then make the switch on the backend.
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Anonymous2012-05-13 21:39
I tried my best and mucked around with OpenGL, J3D, and SDL, so I'm not unfamiliar with the syntax / call structure, what have you. Made a few cute rotating shapes and other graphics oddjobs. But again, there was always something stopping me from going further, some missing page, something left unexplained, or a broken download link, and at this point I just want to commit to something and learn it. I figure I might as well just start with DirectX in the first place since that's where I would be going. If that makes any sense.
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Anonymous2012-05-13 22:32
Obviously you're not a computer scientist, or you'd know you never really understand any of it.
... but if you insist that you think it would still be a bit much, would there be harm in using a package like Allegro? I've yet to try that, and I have torrents for books about it on tab.
Yeah that's exactly what I'm talking about, it's fantastic, but you have to pay for a premium account to read most of it.
And it's not ON allegro specifically, it's a game programming book I found that teaches via C/C++ and Allegro.
And yeah I know, I only need 2D at the moment for what I want to do for now. But again, I may as well learn the whole boat then make the journey longer with a stepping stone, I figure (which I've already touched upon in the first place).
>>9,10
I have that book. It does its job fairly well and I would recommend it as an introductory text for the various elements of game design and programming.
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Anonymous2012-05-14 0:10
Vendor lock-in is shit. Use a cross-platform library instead.
But I don't care about it being cross platform. I'm only using it for a hobby / personal use, and my whole college and only one of my friends uses an OS other than Windows, off the top of my head. I'm not looking to program some revolutionary piece of software or game to be mass distributed etc etc etc.
3D math primer for graphics and game development is good for understanding computer graphics if you want to go even more to the core I'd recommend mathematics of digital images.