This book presents an introduction to programming interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on game
development, using Direct3D 10. It teaches the fundamentals of Direct3D and shader programming, after which
the reader will be prepared to go on and learn more advanced techniques. The book is divided into three main
parts. Part I explains the mathematical tools that will be used throughout this book. Part II shows how to
implement fundamental tasks in Direct3D, such as initialization, defining 3D geometry, setting up cameras,
creating vertex, pixel, and geometry shaders, lighting, texturing, blending, and stenciling. Part III is largely
about applying Direct3D to implement a variety of interesting techniques and special effects, such as working
with meshes, terrain rendering, picking, particle systems, environment mapping, normal mapping, shadows,
and rendering to textures.
For the beginner, this book is best read front to back. The chapters have been organized so that the difficulty
increases progressively with each chapter. In this way, there are no sudden jumps in complexity that leave the
reader lost. In general, for a particular chapter, we will use the techniques and concepts previously developed.
Therefore, it is important that you have mastered the material of a chapter before continuing. Experienced
programmers can pick the chapters of interest.
Finally, you may be wondering what kinds of games you can create after reading this book. The answer to that
question is best obtained by skimming through this book and seeing the types of applications that are
developed. From that you should be able to visualize the types of games that can be developed based on the
techniques taught in this book and some of your own ingenuity.
Intended Audience
This book was designed with the following three audiences in mind:
Intermediate level C++ programmers who would like an introduction to 3D programming using the
latest iteration of Direct3D.
3D programmers experienced with an API other than DirectX (e.g., OpenGL) who would like an
introduction to Direct3D 10.
Experienced Direct3D 9 programmers wishing to learn the latest iteration of Direct3D.
