Cutting-Edge Direct3D Programming: Everything You Need to Create Stunning 3D Applications with Direct3D

Explains Direct3D in clear, understandable language. Appeals to software developers interested in writing any type of 3D application for Windows 95, from hobbyist to professional. Emphasizes development of many types of software, not just games. Includes plenty of demos enabling readers of varying skill levels to create source code ideal for their needs. Includes a body of code that is fast, debugged and royalty-free so readers can program with Direct3D without having to learn the entire API. Addresses topics such as 3D coordinates, rendering, texture mapping, animation, hit-detection, lighting, and morphing.

User review
Be careful of the published date
I was dumb enough to not look at the date published before I bought this book. It was published in *1996*. It is way out of date. Do yourself a favor and find a book that is more current. 4 years old is very old for this topic (true for most computer topics).

User review
Good book, but only recover Retained Mode
This is good book, well written and with good examples. If you want to learn about Direct 3D Retained Mode, this is the best book. The poor side is the book doesn't recover Direct 3D Immediate Mode. Only few people are using D3D RM to create professional applications, all are using D3D Immediate Mode. If only i could find book that recover D3D IM like this book,, I would give 5 stars !!

User review
Ok book, but it only covers retain mode direct3d with.
This is a typical OK book to read if you're a beginner. Minuses-> The author does encapsulate the direct3d objects properly and he doesn't follow the OOP principals. Which makes it almost impossible to reuse any of the code. If your a C programmer and not planning on learning C++ properly,,.this book is probably ok. For a C++ programmer however the way he programs just breaks way to many OOP principals (irritating to read). The book is still far from being a waste to read and buy for beginners (since there are so few books covering this topic on the market).

User review
The best introductory Direct3D programming book!
I've purchased and read most of the Direct3D books that are generally available, and this is by far the best. I generally don't write book reviews, but I am very enthusiastic about this book! Cutting-Edge Direct3D Programming is not exhaustive but is a great intro. If you already know how to work with MFC, the MFC OOP approach is by far the easiest way to manage a large Direct3D software project.

User review
This book opens the door to state of the art programming!
I'm a final year student of Software Engineering at the University of Westminster, London , England. I have been using this book for my final project, and I can say that is is the best practical introduction to D3D ever! The examples are really good and even work fine in NT4. If you want to get into DirectX or D3D get this book. Honestly.