Thread: C++ Knowledge Needed For Making Graphic Games?

  1. #1
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    Question C++ Knowledge Needed For Making Graphic Games?

    How much knowledge is needed of C++ to start learning OpenGL and game programming? I'd think you wouldn't hafta really know that much, because a lot of game programming is just logic, and the other stuff is learning DirectX and OpenGL.

    What would you say is sufficient C++ knowledge to begin programming with graphics to make games?

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    Registered User codingmaster's Avatar
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    It's easier for you, when you have more c++ knowledge....

    It think, you should be able to use loops, switch cases, you should know a lot about classes (cause it helps you to write easier code), pointers, references....

    and it will be easier for you, when you understand trigonometry
    (sin, cos, tan) and maybe (arcsin, arccos, arctan) too......

  3. #3
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    I agree with codingmaster.

    Graphics is almost a different subject. If you were taking classes, you might take a graphics class after two semesters of C++.

    Start with graphics whenever you feel ready. You can use all of the special-purpose graphics library functions even if the underlying program logic is not complex. Just, don't focus on graphics so much that you stop learning standard C++.

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    Thats what I always was wondering. I know people use c++ for programming games which is what I am interested in. But how exactly do they do some of the stuff. (i.e make realistic charactor movements and all) with c++. And how much of it is just graphic programs and all.
    "When I die I want to pass peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather did, not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car."

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    carry on JaWiB's Avatar
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    The more C++ knowledge you have the better...trust me
    "Think not but that I know these things; or think
    I know them not: not therefore am I short
    Of knowing what I ought."
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    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    Originally posted by ZakkWylde969
    Thats what I always was wondering. I know people use c++ for programming games which is what I am interested in. But how exactly do they do some of the stuff. (i.e make realistic charactor movements and all) with c++. And how much of it is just graphic programs and all.
    With great effort. Say a person moves their arm. The program has to take into account exactly what is moving and how. This (quite crudely) can be done by rotating something like a cylinder (the arm) about an axis located on its base. Then of course, the cylinder has to be drawn. It has to now calculate where the light is coming from, and how it will reflect off the cylinder. It must also know which part is facing the screen (the part can be viewed).

    Good OOP design makes this process much easier, but I still wouldn't call it easy (though there might be some who do).

    Anyways, if you want to really get into the complex graphics programming, you will have to know a lot about C++ and computer science - not just syntax, but also design patterns, algorithms, etc.
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    I think I'll keep it simple for now. Maybe I
    ll take a course at GA Tech if I get in.
    "When I die I want to pass peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather did, not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car."

  8. #8
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    >>How much knowledge is needed of C++ to start learning OpenGL and game programming?

    Not a whole lot. Obviously the more you know the better, but just a basic understanding of the mathmatical functions and general C++ and you'd be ok. I went into it having never worked outside of console programming and a 5-6 month CS2 student and i have done fine with it.

    Pick up Kevin Hawkins and Dave Astle's book entitle OpenGL Game Programming for 50.00 USD.

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    Originally posted by RoD
    >>How much knowledge is needed of C++ to start learning OpenGL and game programming?

    Not a whole lot. Obviously the more you know the better, but just a basic understanding of the mathmatical functions and general C++ and you'd be ok. I went into it having never worked outside of console programming and a 5-6 month CS2 student and i have done fine with it.

    Pick up Kevin Hawkins and Dave Astle's book entitle OpenGL Game Programming for 50.00 USD.
    50$ heh...I think I'll just print out something from the internet. It took me a year to save the money of Visual C++ 6. and then almost 3 months for the book I'm using on it.
    "When I die I want to pass peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather did, not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car."

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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Well theres always my tutorials. I write them from experience and basis on the book i suggested, with code examples from the book. They aren't perfect but they have helped alot of people get started in OpenGL. Soon (month or two) i will have the free time i had before and ill finish and improve them. You can get to them via the tutorials link in my signature if you are interested.

    If you encounter any problems drop me an email ill see what i can do.

  11. #11
    carry on JaWiB's Avatar
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    You have tutorials? Is it in your "Game programming links" sticky?
    "Think not but that I know these things; or think
    I know them not: not therefore am I short
    Of knowing what I ought."
    -John Milton, Paradise Regained (1671)

    "Work hard and it might happen."
    -XSquared

  12. #12
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    You can get to them via the tutorials link in my signature if you are interested.

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    Realistic character movements

    I assume that games with really good graphics are made like animated movies. The actual animation isn't created with C++. It's done with a room-full of animators running specialized animation software on a room-full of high powered workstations... Very time-consuming and difficult!

    Of course the animation "tools" may be written with C++, and the underlying logic that drives the animation sequencing may be C++.

    Does that make sense? Suppose you wanted to create a background bitmap... You would might use some sort of drawing program to create it. Then your game program would display it in the right place at the right time.

  14. #14
    Pursuing knowledge confuted's Avatar
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    I know that each thread is slightly different, but what was wrong with this one and this one? Have you read the stuff here? What about here? There are also a bunch more links here. Use what's already available to you, man! You're not going to become "über" with OpenGL just by posting this over and over again - go try it.
    Away.

  15. #15
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Krak:

    I notice all three of those posts, this one inclusive, are yours. Its obvious to me you are having a bit of a hard time getting started in game programming as you arent sure where to start.

    This thread is full of helpful tips. If my tutorials wont help you then try the link in my signature entitled "OpenGL links". It will take u to a thread i created for a database of links on exactly this.

    You can email me anytime (also in my sig) with opengl questions or issues man, good luck.

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