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In the middle of my render code I needed to clear the zbuffer draw some objects (for a mirror) and than I need to resume back to the state of the zbuffer before I cleared. However as far as I can tell directx offers no support in doing that so does anyone have any ideas?
This is because you should not mess with the Z buffer. The Clear() function in IDirect3DDevice9 will allow you to clear the Z buffer.
Ya I guess directx doesn't let you touch the depth buffer at all. But I have found a way around it kinda. I just created a seperate depth buffer for the mirror and switched the depth buffers up during the rendering of the mirror stuff. However this requires rendering the relfected objects 3 times:
1) Real positions (visible)
2) Draw real positions to the mirror's depth buffer (not visible)
3) Draw reflected position using the mirror's depth buffer (visible)
The mirror works perfect and looks great but it can pretty slow if I am drawing alot. If anyone knows how to do a mirror a better way than please give some input.