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Does DirectX 8.1 C++ SDK have DirectDraw? I really want to program a few 2D games before I make any 3D ones. Someone told me to get the DirectX 7 SDK but I can't find that one on www.microsoft.com. And if I should just get the DirectX 7 SDK, then where can I get it?
(hey, you gotta start somewhere)
Yes. DirectX is backwards compatible. I have the DX 8.1 SDK and I don't use any DX 8 features. I use DX 7 (DirectDraw, etc.) only.
You can download the DX 7.0 SDK from MS if you want it. Give me a few minutes and I'll find the URL that I used to download it with.
I just checked MS's site and you're right. They use to offer the DX 7.0 SDK on the DX downloads page. I checked their FAQ and they stated that since the "official" release of DX 8.1 they have discontinued distribution of all earlier versions (except for DX 8.0a, which is needed for Win95 users).
I've got the DX 7.0 SDK on CD. PM me if you'd like for me to send you a copy (since it's freely distributed anyway).
There is no more DirectDraw. As of DirectX8 you have DirectGraphics. Even though it is really a 3D library you should use it for all graphics work (supposed to be more efficient). DirectGraphics is much easier to work with than any previous versions of DirectX (even for 2D stuff) so I would suggest you start using it rather than the separate packages in the past.
It's very easy to do 2D work with DirectGraphics, you just ignore the 3D stuff (just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it).
If you haven't started learning DirectX yet you might want to check out SDL first. It's much easier to get started with and uses OpenGL to do it's 3D stuff (which is easier to learn than DirectX 3D stuff). www.libsdl.org
I have the DX 8.1 SDK and I've never written anything in DirectGraphics. I use DirectDraw exclusively. Because DX is based on COM it's all backwards compatible.Quote:
Originally posted by taylorguitarman
There is no more DirectDraw. As of DirectX8 you have DirectGraphics. [/url]
From the DirectX 8 SDK:
Microsoft DirectDraw® and Microsoft Direct3D® are merged into a single DirectX Graphics component. The application programming interface (API) has been extensively updated to make it even easier to use and to support the latest graphics hardware
So, in DirectX 8, there is no more DirectDraw (however, as pointed out it is still supported).
I'm sorry if I was misleading, you can still program with DirectDraw but in DirectX 8 there's no individual DirectDraw component anymore.
If you're going to learn DirectX you should be using the current DirectGraphics not DirectDraw.
I agree, taylorguitarman. I use DirectDraw because when I first learned DirectX 7.0 was the newest version, and I haven't had a need/desire to move past it yet. But if I was just learning now I would go with DirectGraphics.
And I misunderstood what you were saying about there being no DirectDraw in DX 8. Sorry.