Selection in Direct3D.

The better way is to calculate the ray your mouse projects into the 3d world and use that ray to do intersection tests with your objects.

This involves some mathematics but saves you that extra selection buffer render pass.

Try searching "pick" and "ray picking".

Quote:

Try searching "pick" and "ray picking".

Thanks, for the reply.

Hmmm.. well let me ask another question?

I found some resources describing how to do ray picking.

But are there any good resources describing how to implement a 'selection' buffer in Direct3d?

Or how about an efficient way of reading the depth buffer as its rendered too? Or determining which pixel is being written too, while rastering objects.

I spent about the last hour looking and couldn't come up with much.

If anyone has some links, I'd find them useful.

I believe you're referring to pixel-perfect intersection tests. It's perfect for determining which object has been clicked on, but the drawback is that you have to re-render the entire scene with each object set to a solid color. It's pretty time consuming and you wouldn't get away with it unless it's a simple scene (although faster processors are making it a better option).

There is no equivalent to the selection buffer for Direct3D that I'm aware of. As far as doing it at the rasterization level, I think you'd be making way too much trouble for yourself (if it's even possible with a ps). The easiest, fastest way is ray picking. Is there any reason you don't want to use ray picking? I mean, what is it that you are trying to do, that you need the pixel perfect level? Maybe there are better options if we know your requirements.

Good luck,
Chris

Quote:

I believe you're referring to pixel-perfect intersection tests. It's perfect for determining which object has been clicked on, but the drawback is that you have to re-render the entire scene with each object set to a solid color. It's pretty time consuming and you wouldn't get away with it unless it's a simple scene (although faster processors are making it a better option). There is no equivalent to the selection buffer for Direct3D that I'm aware of. As far as doing it at the rasterization level, I think you'd be making way too much trouble for yourself (if it's even possible with a ps). The easiest, fastest way is ray picking. Is there any reason you don't want to use ray picking? I mean, what is it that you are trying to do, that you need the pixel perfect level? Maybe there are better options if we know your requirements. Good luck, Chris

My requirements are slim. I am just learning. So this is more out of trying to compare methods.

But considering the fact that I can find MANY resources on ray picking and vitrually no resources at all for any other 'method', that should tell me something.

Thanks for the help, it is appreciated.

I understand, it's good to know what you can do, in case you need to. I'd start off with ray picking and maybe making a pixel perfect routine just for fun. I'd stick with those for a while. :)

Chris