2D in DirectX 9

[maxthecat]

Hi all,

This probably gets asked a lot, but can anyone point me to a good link or book discussing how to do 2D in DX9 (and not in bloody C#)? ...I was using "Beginning Game Programming" by Jonathan Harbour (Thomson publishing), but after trying (and failing miserably) to compile his source-code repeatedly (I found out later that his source code is actually outdated and unsupported), I'm at my wits end and about to give up on DX... Google searches, browsing Amazon, and even searches on this board-- none have yielded good results.... Maybe I'm just an idiot when it comes to searching, but I'm really about to give up on this and go learn ASM instead (hey, at least it's straightforward).

So, does anyone know of a good tutorial or book that will address 2D in DX9?

Thanks a ton guys (and gals!)

-maxthecat

[cboard_member]

In fear of starting a pretty well-fueled flamewar, I'll refrain from saying "use OpenGL".

It seems to be way easier to find good tutorials (C++) for OpenGL - I'm yet to find a good Directx 9 one. Owing to Microsoft's coding conventions I can't bear to read through someone elses code and try to understand it that way, either.

Just my thoughts; I hope none of you know where I live

[maxthecat]

Haha... Well, to be honest, I had thought of using OpenGL (I have the "Red Book" sitting on my shelf here), but I didn't want to have to build the music and networking APIs from scratch.... I thought DX would be an easier way to go, since MS has DirectSound and DirectPlay. :P

[cboard_member]

Not sure about networking but there is (amongst others) OpenAL for sound. I think it's AL. Hmm.

Yeah I know what you mean though. Does the benefit of having sound / video / input / networking libraries outweight the, err, un-benefits. My answer to which I shall keep to myself.

EDIT:
<offtopic>
I'm eating "The Original Poppycock Butter Almond Pecan Popcorn Clusters". Yum.
</offtopic>

[7smurfs]

Buy this book

If it is the same one I have (mine has a different cover, but same author and title), then it spends the first half of the book explaining DirectX (Direct3D, DirectSound, etc) and using it to build engines. It spends some time explaining how to use 2D, so it should work for you.

[Syneris]

A few years ago when I was wondering about 2D with DirectX, the general consensus I got was to use DirectX 7's directdraw instead of DirectX 8 which no longer had directdraw as part of it. Is this still a viable option for making 2D games? I still see books on the shelves of someplaces that teach 2D Graphics with DirectX 7 and includes the SDK on a CD. Would it be better to learn 2D in DirectX 7 and move up to DirectX 9 for 3D or just learn 2D in DirectX 9?

[7smurfs]

A few years ago when I was wondering about 2D with DirectX, the general consensus I got was to use DirectX 7's directdraw instead of DirectX 8 which no longer had directdraw as part of it. Is this still a viable option for making 2D games? I still see books on the shelves of someplaces that teach 2D Graphics with DirectX 7 and includes the SDK on a CD. Would it be better to learn 2D in DirectX 7 and move up to DirectX 9 for 3D or just learn 2D in DirectX 9?

Learn 2D in DirectX9.

It's newer, supported, and probably easier to find help for.

[rockytriton]

I have a good book on doing 2d in Direct3D, here's a gamdev article on it too:

http://www.gamedev.net/reference/art...rticle1434.asp

[Drake]

I was using "Beginning Game Programming" by Jonathan Harbour (Thomson publishing), but after trying (and failing miserably) to compile his source-code repeatedly (I found out later that his source code is actually outdated and unsupported)
-maxthecat

max, I have been using the same book as you for about 3-4 months and I believe his code actually works but its not as "spiffy" as I would like it to be. If you believe his code dosn't work because of the window poping up and closing right away, it's because w/ dev bloodshed you need to usually put something like

#include<iostream>

int main()
{
std::cout<<"Hello World!"<<std::endl;
std::cout<<"What a fine day!"<<std::endl;

system("pause");
return 0;
}

the system("pause"); does what it says. It pauses till the user presses any key to continue.

.

[maxthecat]

The one I'm using is all about DirectX programming, and has nothing to do with consoles... I'd post the ISBN, but unfortunately I'm at work right now... Trust me, the code in his book will not compile (it frustrated the heck out of me), even though he claims that it will compile with a DX9.0b install. Simply put, he makes several errors to function calls (whether these be typos or just old code he cut and paste, I don't know).

I use Visual Studio 6.0, by the way

thanks for the input though!

-max

[VirtualAce]

U probably have the Beginning Game Programming with DirectX9. There was a problem at the printer with underscores in DX identifiers. Whenever you see a space in the code you know there should be an underscore.

An easy fix and a good book.

[Junior89]

I like the looks of the Programming RPG's with Direct X book, i wish i knew about it a few weeks ago so i could have gotten it for Xmas! Anyway, this sounds like something i would like after i finish my windows programming book. I was actually going to make a thread that said, "Where do i go now?" which would have asked what Graphical languages/API's i should learn but this thread helped me out. One quick question about that book, Do you make an RPG like Final Fantasy? Well a 2D version of course but does the combat work like FF (and most RPG's) in that its Turn Based? With like special attacks and all that stuff? Or is it not that complex, more Diablo style games? Lol thanks (even though this wasnt my thread)!

And good luck to MaxTheCat in your endeavors!

[Syneris]

What about Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX, Second Edition?
http://www.gamedev.net/columns/books...?productid=422
Same author, just using DirectX9 instead of DirectX8. The 2nd edition seems to have worse reviews than the first. Anyone who has had experience with both books have an opinion?