Thread: Installing Direct X

I am having a few problems installing Direct X, I have installed teh SDK, and then (I am using Code::Blocks) in code::blocks I have added the include and lib folders to my directory and then added d3d9.lib to the linkers.

Switching to target: default
Linking executable: C:\Documents and Settings\Mike The Magnificant\My Documents\Programming\Direct_X1.exe
.objs\winmain.o:winmain.cpp.text+0x29e): undefined reference to `Direct3DCreate9@4'
collect2: ld returned 1 exit status
Process terminated with status 1 (0 minutes, 0 seconds)
0 errors, 0 warnings

That is the error I get when trying to build it.


Any help is greatly appreciated.

Will I want to reimp all of them? if so should I just do reimp -c *.lib?

This might also be of some interest to you.

I have realised that I have Visual C++ on my PC bt I much prefer Code Blocks, how do I get the reimp to work though as it said unrecognized command.

I have found that reimp is in the MingW Utilites, do I need to download this or do I have it if I have the MingW compiler? If so how do I use the reimp function?

You need mingw-utils - see the link in my post above for details.

Ok, I must be really stupid but I can't work out how to install the mingw-utils and then use the reimp.

Any help is appreciated.

As I say I would rather use Code::Blocks, so any help with the utilities would be greatly appreciated.

You'll still need to install the directx sdk.

It might be simpler for you if you install code::blocks nightly build and use the directx project template it provides. The project template will nag you for the path to the directx9 sdk; it seems to use ms headers and libs directly, too.

If you still want to use reimp:

1. Download mingw-utils-0.3.tar.gz and extract the archive into your mingw/bin directory.
2. Copy the following fourteen files from the lib directory of your directx 9c installation directory into a separate directory:
   
   • d3d10.lib
   • d3d8.lib
   • d3d9.lib
   • d3dx10.lib
   • d3dx10d.lib
   • d3dx9.lib
   • d3dx9d.lib
   • d3dxof.lib
   • ddraw.lib
   • dinput.lib
   • dinput8.lib
   • dplayx.lib
   • dsetup.lib
   • ldsound.lib
3. Then from the command line(cmd.exe), cd (change directory) to that temporary directory, and use reimp 'libname' on each individually, or just type the following commands in sequence, where path_to_your_mingw/bin_directory is, unsurprisingly, the path to your mingw/bin directory:
   Code:

   1. set path=path_to_your_mingw/bin_directory;%path%
   2. for %f in (*.lib) do reimp %f
   3. del *.obj
   4. del *.def
   5. move libd3dx9_30.a libd3dx9.a
   6. move libd3dx9d_30.a libd3dx9d.a
   Code:

   Or just use a batch file instead - create a plain text file, save it as convert.cmd and paste the following into it::
   Code:

   rem filename: convert.cmd
   set path=path_to_your_mingw/bin_directory;%path%
   for %%f in (*.lib) do reimp %%f
   rem the following are optional; omit if you want all of reimp's unmodified output
   del *.def
   del *.obj
   move libd3dx9_30.a libd3dx9.a
   move libd3dx9d_30.a libd3dx9d.a

   then run convert.cmd from a command prompt (cmd.exe) from the same directory you placed the libraries listed in part 2. above into.
4. Copy the mingw libraries (*.a) to a subdirectory of your mingw/lib directory and give it a suitable name (no spaces) such as 'dx9c'.
5. Add the 'include' path to the directx 9c sdk to your project's path(-I switch).
6. Add the directory where you placed the mingw directx libs(*.a) to your project's library path (-L switch).
7. Add the directory to the directx 9c sdk lib/x86 or lib/x64 directory depending on whether your target is a 32bit application (x86) or 64 bit(x64) with the -L switch; make sure this directory comes after the one set in the previous step.

The ms libs not converted are static ones so just use them directly but use the actual name of the lib and not the more usual -l switch. The switches etc. above refer to use of mingw from the command line; code::blocks or dev-cpp or whatever ide you use will have some fancy gui for setting paths either globally or on a per project basis so you'll need to find and set them.

Ok, I have tried adding MingW Utilities and it still doesn't say reimp is valid.

What exactly is 'it'? Help us to help you - please provide information with substance, not vacuous ambiguities.

Well, I have tried extracting the Util to my MingW bin and then why I go to my CMD Prompt it tells me reimp is not a valied function. Would you be able to do the files for me? I know it is a big favour.

Either that, or I learn to use Visual C++. Could somebody tell me how to set up Visual C++ Express for Direct X (I have already installed Direct X)

Originally Posted by bumfluff

extracting the Util to my MingW bin and then why I go to my CMD Prompt it tells me reimp is not a valied function

This is probably because reimp is not in the path when you run it from the command prompt; I have amended my description above to be more explicit in this respect so hopefully it should be easier to follow.

Originally Posted by bumfluff

Would you be able to do the files for me? I know it is a big favour.

No. The microsoft end user licence agreement (eula) seems clear that while it's okay for microsoft to distribute the directx sdk, it's not okay for others to do so, even if they distribute modified libs.

This doesn't mean you can't modify these libs for your own personal use, nor does it imply additional restrictions in the distribution of any applications you make with those libraries.

Originally Posted by bumfluff

I learn to use Visual C++

I think this would definitely be the wisest course of action for you just now.

Originally Posted by bumfluff

Could somebody tell me how to set up Visual C++ Express for Direct X (I have already installed Direct X)

Tools menu --> Options, Projects and solutions, select VC++ directories and set the show directories for: combobox to 'include files'. Select the top entry in the listbox beneath the combobox, press 'ctrl + insert' to insert a new line(or use the buttons to add new line and move it to the top of the list) and add the directory to your directx sdk 'include' directory. Repeat with 'library files' selected in the combobox, setting the path to the 'lib\x86' (for 32bit builds) or 'lib\x64' (for 64 bit builds).