The Best Direct3D Books for Beginners

The introductory chapters provide a solid basis in using Direct3D and DirectSound in a 2D gaming environment, providing not only the necessary theoretical discussions, but also sample programs that demonstrate the concepts discussed. Once the reader learns these basic DirectX techniques, the book leads the reader through the design and programming of a console-style computer role-playing game.

50 practical recipes to guide you through the advanced rendering techniques in Direct3D to help bring your 3D graphics project to lifeAbout This BookLearn and implement the advanced rendering techniques in Direct3D 11.2 and bring your 3D graphics project to lifeStudy the source code and digital assets with a small rendering framework and explore the features of Direct3D 11.2A practical, example-driven, technical cookbook with numerous illustrations and example images to help demonstrate the techniques describedWho This Book Is ForDirect3D Rendering Cookbook is for C# .

NET developers who want to learn the advanced rendering techniques made possible with DirectX 11.2. It is expected that the reader has at least a cursory knowledge of graphics programming, and although some knowledge of Direct3D 10+ is helpful, it is not necessary. An understanding of vector and matrix algebra is required. What You Will LearnSet up a Direct3D application and perform real-time 3D rendering with C# and SharpDXLearn techniques for debugging your Direct3D applicationRender a 3D environment with lights, shapes, and materialsExplore character animation using bones and vertex skinningCreate additional surface detail using tessellation with displacement mapping and displacement decalsImplement image post-processing tasks within compute shadersUse real-time deferred rendering techniques to implement improved shading for lighting and shadowsLearn to Program the graphics pipeline with shaders using HLSL implemented by Shader Model 5In DetailThe latest 3D graphics cards bring us amazing visuals in the latest games, from Indie to AAA titles. This is made possible on Microsoft® platforms including PC, Xbox consoles, and mobile devices thanks to Direct3D– a component of the DirectX API dedicated to exposing 3D graphics hardware to programmers. Microsoft DirectX is the graphics technology powering all of today's hottest games. The latest version— DirectX 11—features tessellation for film-like geometric detail, compute shaders for custom graphics effects, and improved multithreading for better hardware utilization. With it comes a number of fundamental game changing improvements to the way in which we render 3D graphics. Direct3D Rendering Cookbook provides detailed .NET examples covering a wide range of advanced 3D rendering techniques available in Direct3D 11.2. With this book, you will learn how to use the new Visual Studio 2012 graphics content pipeline, how to perform character animation, how to use advanced hardware tessellation techniques, how to implement displacement mapping, perform image post-processing, and how to use compute shaders for general-purpose computing on GPUs. After covering a few introductory topics about Direct3D 11.2 and working with the API using C# and SharpDX, we quickly ramp up to the implementation of a range of advanced rendering techniques, building upon the projects we create and the skills we learn in each subsequent chapter. Topics covered include using the new Visual Studio 2012 graphics content pipeline and graphics debugger, texture sampling, normal mapping, lighting and materials, loading meshes, character animation (vertex skinning), hardware tessellation, displacement mapping, using compute shaders for post-process effects, deferred rendering, and finally bringing all of this to Windows Store Apps for PC and mobile. After completing the recipes within Direct3D Rendering Cookbook, you will have an in-depth understanding of a range of advanced Direct3D rendering topics.

Get Started Quickly with DirectX 3D Programming: No 3D Experience Needed. This step-by-step text demystifies modern graphics programming so you can quickly start writing professional code with DirectX and HLSL. Expert graphics instructor Paul Varcholik starts with the basics: a tour of the Direct3D graphics pipeline, a 3D math primer, and an introduction to the best tools and support libraries. Next, you ll discover shader authoring with HLSL. You ll implement basic lighting models, including ambient lighting, diffuse lighting, and specular highlighting.

You ll write shaders to support point lights, spotlights, environment mapping, fog, color blending, normal mapping, and more. Then you ll employ C++ and the Direct3D API to develop a robust, extensible rendering engine. You ll learn about virtual cameras, loading and rendering 3D models, mouse and keyboard input, and you ll create a flexible effect and material system to integrate your shaders. Finally, you ll extend your graphics knowledge with more advanced material, including post-processing techniques for color filtering, Gaussian blurring, bloom, and distortion mapping. You ll develop shaders for casting shadows, work with geometry and tessellation shaders, and implement a complete skeletal animation system for importing and rendering animated models. You don t need any experience with 3D graphics or the associated math: Everything s taught hands-on, and all graphics-specific code is fully explained. Coverage includes The Direct3D API and graphics pipeline A 3D math primer: vectors, matrices, coordinate systems, transformations, and the DirectX Math library Free and low-cost tools for authoring, debugging, and profiling shaders Extensive treatment of HLSL shader authoring Development of a C++ rendering engine Cameras, 3D models, materials, and lighting Post-processing effects Device input, component-based architecture, and software services Shadow mapping, depth maps, and projective texture mapping Skeletal animation Geometry and tessellation shaders Survey of rendering optimization, global illumination, compute shaders, deferred shading, and data-driven engine architecture. 5+ Hours of Video Instruction. Real-time graphics programming is often considered a dark art, full of complex mathematics and esoteric tools. Even experienced programmers can find the material difficult to absorb. Furthermore, the rapid pace of advancement makes modern graphics programming a moving target, and establishing a foothold can be difficult. Quality educational material is a necessity for newcomers to the field. "DirectX Essentials LiveLessons" introduces viewers to graphics programming through a moderately deep-dive into shader programming and the Direct3D API. Dr. Paul Varcholik guides viewers with a practical, hands-on approach to modern DirectX application development. While these videos are geared towards programmers, no prior knowledge of graphics programming or 3D math is required. The lessons begin with Hello, World! style rendering (drawing a single point and triangle) and extend into introductory lighting models including ambient and diffuse lighting, specular highlights, point lights, and spotlights. The videos also cover texture mapping, environment mapping, normal mapping, and color blending and introduce viewers to 3D math in a straight-forward, stress-free fashion. Skill Level -- All Levels. What You Will Learn. DirectX 11 API essentials How to write shaders using High Level Shading Language (HLSL) The 3D mathematics behind 3D graphics How to load and render 3D models Mapping textures to 3D objects Ambient and diffuse lighting, specular highlights, point lights, and spotlights Environment mapping, fog, normal mapping, and color blending Survey additional topics in modern rendering, including post processing, shadow mapping, skeletal animation, geometry and tessellation shaders, deferred rendering, global illumination, and compute shaders. Who Should Take This Course. Developers looking for a practical introduction to 3D rendering and modern Direct3D. Course Requirements. Familiarity with the C++ programming language. About LiveLessons Video Training. LiveLessons Video Training series publishes hundreds of hands-on, expert-led video tutorials covering a wide selection of technology topics designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed. This professional and personal technology video series features world-leading author instructors published by your trusted technology brands: Addison-Wesley, Cisco Press, IBM Press, Pearson IT Certification, Prentice Hall, Sams, and Que. Topics include: IT Certification, Programming, Web Development, Mobile Development, Home and Office Technologies, Business and Management, and more. View all LiveLessons on InformIT at: http: //www.informit.com/livelessons 0134176448 / 9780134176444 Real-Time 3D Rendering with DirectX and HLSL (Book) and DirectX Essentials LiveLessons (Video Training) Bundle Package consists of: 0134181492 / 9780134181493 DirectX Essentials LiveLessons Access Code Card 0321962729 / 9780321962720 Real-Time 3D Rendering with DirectX and HLSL: A Practical Guide to Graphics Programming. ".