DirectX 8

DirectX is actually a multi-media development, with a FOCUS on games and simulations =).

Take for example DirectShow.

The question is:
Will it be worth getting - and using over DirectX 7.1a?
And can you install it in conjunction with DirectX 7.1a SDK?

Dæmin
(Dominik Grabiec)
sdgrab@eisa.net.au

DirectX APIs are always backwards-compatable.

OpenGL isn''t just for "high-end" graphics workstations, it''s general purpose graphics API. And technically OpenGL moves a lot faster then D3D does. Even though it takes a long time for features to become part of official OpenGL, card vendors can add any extensions they want. So right now you can do a lot more with your Nvidia card in OpenGL then you can in D3D (at least for a few days...)

Minor point Etnu, but DirectX7 isn''t really backwards compatible with DirectX6/5/3/2/1....

ie. in Directx7 to use some of the new D3D stuff you *HAVE* to create a LPDIRECTDRAW7 object with the DirectDrawCreateEx function...you CAN''T create one properly via getting an LPDIRECTDRAW object and querying it''s interface for a LPDIRECTDRAW7 object..(which breaks the backwards-compatible theory IMHO)

I tried it once and the MSDN HARSHLY (and I mean HARSHLY) warns against doing this, warning of "unpredictable" behaviour...

just my 2 cents,
Wazoo

wazoo, if you use some of the "new D3D" stuff, you are not backwards-compatible. Backwards-compatible means you can use the old functionality.