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__Direct3D Tutorial [Updated]__

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Submitted on: 1/1/2002 3:37:03 PM
By: Matt Carpenter 
Level: Intermediate
User Rating: By 127 Users
Compatibility: VB 6.0
Views: 66211
(About the author)
 
     A Tutorial on how to do Direct3D7 Retained Mode Graphics! HTML file and an example! Every line of code is commented and easy to understand. Begin making 3D Games with this article! I WORKED A LONG TIME ON THIS ARTICLE! If you like it, PLEASE VOTE FOR ME on PSC :) I am also planning on putting out a 3D flight simulator soon so keep lookin-

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				Download the tutorial and example source code :)
You may find this example really boring so
make it more exciting your self. Try making a 3D maze! Or maybe a racing game! What? You don't have any clue how? You will if you read this tutorial! 

After you read it:

1: Rate this- I'd like to hear what you think!

2: Make your own cool D3D Game

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  2. You MAY NOT redistribute this article (for example to a web site) without written permission from the original author. Failure to do so is a violation of copyright laws.   
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Other User Comments
1/1/2002 4:02:46 PM: Burbble

I get an Automation Error on this line:

DD_Main.SetDisplayMode 640, 480, 32, 0, DDSDM_DEFAULT 'Set Resolution and BitDepth (Lets use 32-bit color)
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/1/2002 5:24:13 PM: Cool

1 Question How Did You Get That Comment To Come Up... If You Can Just Leave A Post That Would Be Great Thanks!! :)
And It works Perfectally For Me!! Very Sweet.. Im Still Trying To Figure Out How To Make The Stairs And What Not How You Got It Those Colors and stuff
Thanks Bye...Ace1DW1@Hotmail.Com
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/1/2002 5:44:52 PM: Justin Pinkley

This is a great intro to 3D. Good work!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/1/2002 7:01:25 PM: Ace315

what program did you use to make the building.x file? and can this be easily converted to directX 8?
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/1/2002 7:38:22 PM: Matt Carpenter

Ok, First answer, you may want to try a larger screen resolution, or maybe 16bit color. I used anim8or (www.anim8or.com) to make a 3DS File, then I used a converter to convert it to a directX file. It should be compatilbe with DX8 but I'm not sure.
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/1/2002 8:03:48 PM: Ty

First off, I'd just love to applaud you. I think that you did an excellent job on creating this tutorial. Also, use of comments is great, and that makes the entire tutorial so much better!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/1/2002 10:30:35 PM: Matt Carpenter

Get what comment to come up? the one on the .zip file? click actions, then click 'comment' (if that was what you were asking)
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1/2/2002 2:33:13 AM: Ace1DW1

Yeah The Zip Comment... Ive looked.. THANK YOU SO MUCH... With Both
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1/2/2002 10:07:54 AM: Visualcode

I dont know if this will help but the
screen shot looks great and ive wanted to
learn 3d stuff for a long time ill give
you 5
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1/2/2002 2:18:54 PM: Ace1DW1

Ive made This Big Sene With Anim8or And I Need To KNow How To Convert To Something Like Building.x??? Website??? Thanks Ace1DW1@hotmail.com
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/2/2002 2:23:25 PM: Matt Carpenter

Search for a program called Conv3DS. Its a 1996 program by Microsoft. You use it to convert 3ds's to .x's.
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/2/2002 3:25:10 PM: Ace1DW1

I Have Files Named .an8 umm I Used That Anim8or.exe Thing From The Website Above.... Im Clueless
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1/2/2002 3:29:15 PM: Ace1DW1

What.. I Went To Configure And Now What Do I Put In The 3 Boxes Sorry For Flooding
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/2/2002 6:12:05 PM: Matt Carpenter

you have to go to 'objects' then go to 'export' then export your file as a 3DS. Then convert it using a free program you can find and dl called Conv3DS
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1/2/2002 6:13:14 PM: Matt Carpenter

it wont convert .an8 files. You have to export them as .3ds's
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1/2/2002 7:51:42 PM: Ace1DW1

How?
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1/2/2002 9:59:44 PM: Matt Carpenter

with anim8or up, click objects, then click export.
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1/2/2002 10:08:12 PM: Matt Carpenter

Well, about 900 ppls look at it, and only 8 rate it... Thanx to you that DID rate it :)
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1/3/2002 5:22:43 PM: Matt Carpenter

9, thanX!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/4/2002 1:46:31 AM: RicHagen

Nice work , but it's not cool to complain about the number of votes you receive
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/4/2002 2:23:13 PM: Matt Carpenter

sorry, being 13 years old and able to win $200 software in one month, and all.. you get the point...
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1/13/2002 7:46:19 AM: Mark Withers

Don't boast about winning stuff... Ive won twice in two months in the past. Infact 3ds to X's was not only developed by Microsoft but a later version was made by Discreet. Developers of "Max studio 4" Conv3DS.exe Anyhow overall it was worth the download... the comenting was good, very basic Direct3D concept... using X files... Graphics not so good but easily improved. Try perhaps changing the rotation speed...I can't exactly remember but did you use Tan, Sin and Cos in this tutorial? Did you know that Conv3DS.exe "Convertor" can also change X files back into .3ds files... this helps when i'm using 3D studio max 4 to make scenes. I'd think this work deserves 4 Globes....
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/17/2002 5:34:48 PM: Matt Carpenter

Whatever i say is the wrong thing to say...

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1/18/2002 2:12:18 AM: Hurrotisrobbo

Hey, don't bag out Matt here about the 'complaint' he made. It was perfectly justified #8)
Stacks of people come here, download it, and not acknowledge who's made it... not that fair, ne? すごいのだ！
Good stuff, Matt, keep it up!
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1/28/2002 12:10:04 PM: Niels

Great tutorial, thanx for bringing this knowledge to the people :)
You got my vote
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/29/2002 11:26:59 AM: Maniac

Thanks MAtt. This is really cool.
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
2/23/2002 5:35:51 PM: Creator of Legolas

I am 14, and Kind of inexperienced with VB. I haven't used the tutorial yet but I will. I will comment when I am done, but so far it sounds great!!!!!!!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
2/25/2002 4:57:54 PM: Roope

I even logged in to vote EXELENT for this, that should tell it all. (For beginners)
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
2/28/2002 3:52:29 PM: Chris

This is great ! Have always be looking for this. 5 Stars !
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
2/28/2002 9:47:42 PM: Chris

I would like to know how to Rotate the Camera Up, Not move it up.

Thanks
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
3/7/2002 2:30:18 PM: Frederico Machado

Hi!

I really liked your tutorial,
and I need your help with lights.
Can you help me???

(I made a game with your tutorial,
Direct3D 1st person game) it's on PSC
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
3/12/2002 6:21:17 AM: <>

Chris: How to rotate camera. I think it goes something like this: .AddRotation D3DRMCOMBINE_BEFORE, 1, 0, 0, Sin(5) (where is ur camera (defined as a frame though...)
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
3/12/2002 6:21:47 AM: <>

i am not sure if i did it right by the way,.,...
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
3/12/2002 6:24:48 AM: <>

Well i think i am sure it wont work... it should look soomething like this (i think): .AddRotation D3DRMCOMBINE_BEFORE, 0, 1, 0, Sin(5) the last part is the angle it rotates... ( ithink :))
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
3/14/2002 8:47:11 PM: Pawnee20

very well done Matt. Been trying to find a way to use my 3d skills as well as my programming language skills to create a RPG. This tutorial really is simple to understand and covers all the basics (lights, frames, meshes). Keep up the good work. 5 stars from me! :-)
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
3/25/2002 9:30:22 PM: Brain

Okay i get a run time error '-2005532527 (88760091)', if that means any thing to you.
Any way, it dosen't do any thing and the line in question is
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3/25/2002 9:33:49 PM: Brain

Set D3D_Device = D3D_Main.CreateDeviceFromSurface("IID_IDirect3DHALDevice", DD_Main, DS_Back, D3DRMDEVICE_DEFAULT) Can you help me?
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
4/9/2002 12:38:38 PM: Darksoft.net

Well done example. Easy to follow, and well commented. I have been looking for a very basic tutorial to start programming in 3d. This is a great start.
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
5/2/2002 11:38:58 AM: Feing

Great 3d tutorial, i surfed the web for a long time for one like this.
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5/24/2002 6:07:40 AM: Paul A. Smith

ive looked for ages for such a tutorial... typed it all by hand(and it worked... ;-) )

cant wait to make my own programs...

greetz Paul

ps: 5* from me!!!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
6/5/2002 5:18:03 PM: mark

Thanks for taking the time to share the knowledge , it has already helped me alot. Gave ya five
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
6/15/2002 5:21:47 AM: Nathan

very good 3d example lots of help, but what convertor do you use to convert th 3ds files to .x files?
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
6/15/2002 7:22:57 AM: Nathan

me again i tried to add my own buildings to it (i made em in 3d studios max) and converted it to .x but when i start it nothin happens its just a white screen. plz help!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
7/16/2002 1:47:32 PM: coder86

Great tutorial, I hope to use DirectX for my PC emulator...
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
7/16/2002 2:52:30 PM: Fred Shmurtz

This code is copied from Roel Janssen's 3D ship code also posted here, type '3d ship' in search.
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
7/28/2002 7:00:20 PM: angry madman

fred is rite, the code is copied
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8/13/2002 8:25:15 PM: George Vassilenko

THANKS A LOT dude
i dident know shir
u gave ma a jump start on direct X
ive edited your program oh yeah the resolution of the backround has to be smaller or = 320 * 240 for it to look right, i allso added a car and now im racing around the box hehe
dont really care if u copied the code.
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8/26/2002 7:07:18 PM: Tim

is there any way to have something, that will hold were the camera position is in numbers (such as:
dim xpos as single
and then like have the xpos hold were the camera x position is?)
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8/26/2002 8:00:38 PM: Tim

(adding to my last comment above)... i need to have this so i can do something like: if the position = # then it does something
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8/31/2002 9:25:16 PM: Matthew Li (mazzanet)

tim, use vectors:
Dim camvec as D3DVECTOR .GetPosition Nothing, CamVec
msgbox camvec.x
msgbox camvec.y
msgbox camvec.z
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9/1/2002 12:42:41 AM: 

i get an automation error on:
Set D3D_Device = D3D.CreateDeviceFromSurface("IID_IDirect3DHALDevice", DD, BackSur, D3DRMDEVICE_DEFAULT)
i tried changing it to RGBDevice but got the same (i don't have a 3d graphics card!!)
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9/1/2002 3:44:57 PM: 

for
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9/1/2002 3:47:27 PM: 

this is for matthew li... where do i put the .GetPosition Nothing, CamVec msgbox camvec.x msgbox camvec.y msgbox camvec.z...... and is the .GetPosition just: FR_Camera.GetPosition??
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9/3/2002 8:52:18 PM: 

hey, forget the message before, i know how now...... but does anyone know how to have another mesh, & it will be able to move with the camera? (so i could make a character or something)
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
9/27/2002 11:34:36 PM: 

This is great!!! I give it 10 out of 10!
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12/21/2002 7:13:43 PM: Jefff

Help! When I make a 3ds file and convert it into x with conv3ds it gives an automation error! Do you need to add any parameters to the conv3ds program such as -A?
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12/21/2002 7:14:56 PM: Jefff

Sorry for not explaining my problem to well above. When I have my x file and I load it from vb I get my error. Not when converting it
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12/28/2002 12:40:23 PM: 

I keep getting this error when i try and put my own meshes in.... I've tried to change the screen res but still the same err, but on a different line of code. I dunno wats wrong. I used 3ds Max 5 to create the cube for the mesh and i used the converter (conv3ds), then i just tweaked the path of ur code where it said blah blah blah App.path
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12/28/2002 12:43:25 PM: 

(conti. of previous, got cutt offf)
blah blah blah App.path & "\building.x" ===>>>> blah blah blah App.path & "\box.x". I just cant figure it out. By the way, teh err was Automation something. Great Guid tho, all the way!!!
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12/28/2002 3:29:26 PM: 

Sweet code...I Rated it 5! Keep it up! This is awesome!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/25/2003 10:32:37 PM: Daniel Kerr (Hawk)

WiCkId!!!!
* 5 *
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2/13/2003 12:44:09 PM: vbnick

fine piece of work...congrats..
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5/25/2003 8:48:37 AM: Thorben Linneweber

Very good! '5 Points

I have one question...

'''''To'''''''ROTATE''''''''''''''

Const Sin5 = 8.715574E-02! ' Sin(5°)
Const Cos5 = 0.9961947! ' Cos(5°)

FR_Camera.SetOrientation FR_Camera, -Sin5, 0, Cos5, 0, 1, 0

''''''''''
This is to "look" right/left...

But how can I "look" up???

Thank You
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
7/12/2003 4:12:44 AM: Blackbrunei

Very nice code, but what i don't get is that there are so mamy directx tutorials that explain the basics but almost none of them explains how to make a REAL game, and do it over and over again, making other games all the time!
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10/1/2003 5:53:15 AM: 

Thanks mattels, you could have taught people that don't know how to use anim8or a little, i recommend MilkShape as it can automatically convert the model into a directx file. :D i have 1.6.4 keygen if you want a serial you should be able to find it on the net.
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10/20/2003 12:55:01 PM: 

Cool, but i think you r a info thief, a simillar or even an identical tutorial was made by Simon Price,
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
10/26/2003 7:20:48 AM: 

hey, i liked your article and im new to
making games,but im studying and reading a lot. I was wondering if you had any more game or direct x tutorials up your sleeve that i can study thank you. oh please check out my bususness site im thinking of setting up a vb section, making you want to mAKE a book or somethting you want to sell. www.bestbuyonlone4u.com ....
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
11/5/2003 1:59:17 PM: 

I like well documented code. So I give you a 5.
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11/10/2003 12:00:43 AM: HyperHacker

DD_Main.SetDisplayMode 640, 480, 32, 0, DDSDM_DEFAULT 'Set Resolution and BitDepth (Lets use 32-bit color)

Object doesn't support this action.

*sigh* Why is that all the "wow this is so great best ever 6 stars" ones never work? -_-
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11/14/2003 10:46:07 AM: Einewton

Awesome Work man. Keep it up!
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12/8/2003 9:57:44 AM: 

hey this tutorial is lookin real good so far. this is my first try at 3d and this is what ive been lookin for. i give you a five. id appreciate anyone who could tell me where i can find tutorials to start game programing in general email is kickenchicken57@hotmail.com
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
12/31/2003 6:36:01 AM: 

Great work, I think I actually understand it now!
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
1/9/2004 11:50:53 PM: Nightmare

DUDE! This rulez. Thanks a bunch for sharing it with us!!! AWESOME MAN
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4/3/2004 9:33:37 PM: 

This is in yellow in the debug

Set D3D_Device = D3D_Main.CreateDeviceFromSurface("IID_IDirect3DHALDevice", DD_Main, DS_Back, _
D3DRMDEVICE_DEFAULT) 'Tell the Direct3D Device that we are using hardware rendering (HALDevice) instead
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8/6/2004 2:51:21 AM: 

You want another star? you got it... :P
I really like it, and the other 3d tutorials didn;t even mentioned directX they let me made my own (so i couldnt get it right :( :P TY matt
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8/6/2004 3:14:17 AM: 

Hej but I have 1 question ofcourse it workes fine with your variabels, is there a site wich variables like D3DRMTEXTURE_NEAREST are even further explained, en wich more you can use instead? (ty)
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
8/24/2004 5:51:06 AM: Michael Vainshtein

Man, i looked at so much tutorials.. understood nothing! you helped me SOO much! 10x
1 question that is bothering me: I wanna know the current position of a frame. so i do:
dim PosVec As D3DVECTOR
FR_Building.GetPosition (FR_Building,PosVec)
X=posVec.X
--returns automation error on line with the function
FR_Building.GetPosition (nothing,PosVec)
returns 0 ALL the time..
if some1 knows how 2 correct plz mail me mishasoft@hotmail.com, or post here

10q for the submittion!!!!
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8/24/2004 5:53:47 AM: Michael Vainshtein

OK OK sorry for flooding.. i got it working
again 10x for the project!!!
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5/18/2005 5:07:17 PM: 

im just getting started in the direct3d world so i really hope this can help me out from wat ive read about this tutorial it sounds really great thanks and good luck on the flight simulator
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6/20/2005 7:50:51 PM: Miles Cloud

Direct X can be a crybaby when it comes to graphics. It's really hardware sensitive, so if it doesn't work when you initialize it, try setting it to lower resolution & screen depth.
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
11/23/2005 7:33:55 PM: 

this is helpful thanks
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12/27/2005 10:30:29 AM: Danilo Ramos

Well this is not my first tutorial i already have a lot of them but this one is really good, dont have a nice game or nice unfinished game but explain every var and every object that you will need to start lerning Directx every line of code is commented so is really helpful thks for this lesson hehehe when i finish this tutorial ill be able to modify some samples os games in VB that i already have here :)(you have my vote)
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2/10/2007 9:34:36 AM: gVeR

very good work ,gratz
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2/25/2007 4:20:42 PM: Don Gholson

DirectX Info
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6/21/2008 9:24:00 AM: jigs

nice

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11/11/2009 12:36:37 PM: Khan

Hello , i am new to vb and i want to make an aircraft model simple one and than controlling the Pitch , Roll and Yaw moments , and other stuff to , i can control the aircraft. Is it possible to do so ??? Please help
(If this comment was disrespectful, please report it.)
 
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