Using Direct3D with VB

By Rod Stephens

Direct3D: Introduction

This series of articles will explain how to use Direct3D in Visual Basic. There are a lot of details to cover so I'll do it in pieces, but I think you'll find it all surprisingly easy. There are many steps to getting started, but once you get the basics down to a routine, you can ignore them and concentrate on the fun part: building graphics.

Here is the list of topics I plan to cover. I hope to write at least one section per month. As I work through them, I may change some of the topics if necessary. Don't be scared off by the large number of topics. This is all a lot easier than I thought it would be when I started working with Direct3D.

Article Title	Description
Disclaimer	Says "don't get mad if this doesn't work for you."
Background	Explains what Direct3D is, what it is good for, and where you can get it. It also explains the goals of this series.
Good Coordination	Describes the coordinate system Direct3D uses. You need to understand this system to draw three-dimensional objects.
A First Program	Shows how to build your first Direct3D program.
The Color of Triangles	Adds triangles with different colors
Sit and Spin	Moves the point of view
Buffy the Overlap Slayer	Explains what z-buffers are and shows how to use them.
Simply Amazing	Builds a simple maze game.
Another Brick in the Wall	Adds textures to the walls in the maze.
Collision Prevention	Adds collision detection so the player cannot move through the maze's walls.
Goodies and Baddies	Adds treasure items for the player to collect and enemies to shoot.

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