Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 9.0c: A Shader Approach

by Frank Luna

Book Overview

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 9.0c: A Shader Approach presents an introduction to programming interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on game development, using real-time... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598220160
• ISBN13: 9781598220162
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Wordware Publishing
• Length: 626 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the best technical books I've ever read

I'm a software developer and am going to start working in games development shortly. I needed to get up-to-speed on DirectX 9.0c for games development really fast, and I thought I would have to take an expensive course at the local university to do so. After just completing the first 4 chapters of this book, I've changed my mind. This book has everything you would want to get a solid introduction into 3D games development. If you have any ambition to enter this field, get this book, and if you're a first-time game graphics developer like me, read it from front to back. You won't reget it.

THE 3D Game Programming Book to Get!

This book is absolutely amazing! I could gush for pages about what a great book this is, so I will keep it short and tell you simply to buy this book if you want a great intro to 3D Game Programming!

Excellent for anyone wanting to learn Direct X, HLSL and other game concepts

Overall this is an exceptionally well written book. The text is easy to read, and concise, though that's not to say you understand everything the first time you read it. The code framework is also pretty good, the naming conventions are decent and the code is clearly written. The framework is consistent throughout the book, and uses inheritance and minor polymorphism which manages to hide a lot of the Direct3D / Win32 initialization, so once you are past these chapters you needn't concern yourself with this code again, and you can intend focus on the code that Frank is trying to explain. The design is also very modular, a good example of this is found in Chapter 21: Exercise 4 where it asks you to integrate an Environment Mapped sphere for the sky, and Normal mapped water, into a scene which shows a Castle and trees / grass. This was pretty easy, as it just required shifting a few art / source files and tying some loose ends. The book contains many exercises, a lot of which I found very helpful in understanding the material presented in the text and code samples, they give a good sense of accomplishment and I recommend them if you want to fully understand the concepts taught, and most are generally doable with a bit of research into the DirectX SDK, and rereading the text. The text also does an excellent job of explaining key DirectX functions, and is usually a lot more approachable than the SDK. It also explains the use of the DirectX texture tool, and Terragen ( a free terrain generator, which is very easy to use) For anyone looking to learn DirectX 9, HLSL, and the fundamental concepts behind games, then this book will serve as a solid foundation for those willing to take the time to read and understand it.

Very good book for learning how to use DirectX9

This is a great book. Mr. Luna provides an incredible amount of information all with good detail and clear wording. He doesn't waste time by teaching you irrelevant or outdated topics that aren't used anymore like other books. The more difficult topics are explained well and example code is abundant. This book is recommended for any aspiring game programmer.

This book is nicely laid out!

I have been publishing 2-d and flash games for a bit, and now need to hit DirectX for 3d again (stopped at v8) and need to catch up. There were several things I needed for the new game project starting and it was easy to find all of them right off the bat. I checked first in the index. e.g. I need landscape/terrain generation, .x file loading, and concepts described in pure mathematics (not pseudo code) before showing the actual code. Don't be afraid of matrix math/calculus and get this book. It is a total re-write from the ground up of a previous book. I like this guy.