How do I setup DirectX with VS 2005?

Legally obtain VS2005 or the free C++ Express Edition that won't stop working in a few months as the Beta version will.

Download latest DirectX SDK.

Install DirectX SDK. This is just running the executable, hitting "Next, Next, I Agree, Next, Next, Full, Next, Next .... Next, Reboot now." It should set the paths for libraries, headers, exceutables, and tools for you. It should do some magic to help files that you can do manually if you want. If any of those fail, you can set the paths by hand in your configuration options, and open the SDK's help file directly.

Use DirectX SDK.

Ok, so I now have the Express Edition(or some other, don't really know for sure).

But I have installed both the Platform SDK and the DirectX SDK. But the "magic" isn't really there.

F.Ex when I try to compile the sample:

"DepthOfField_2005" I get this error:

If you have the December 2005 (and most probably the February 2006) sdk, then xinput.h should be in "C:\Program Files\Microsoft DirectX SDK (December 2005)\Include" ..asumming of course that is where you installed it to [smile]

So as long as visual c++ has that folder down in the includes (tools>options>projects and solutions>vc++ directories>include files) it should be fine

Regards,
ViLiO

That's odd. It worked perfectly fine for me first try.

You could try manually adding the paths: Open VC2005 and go to Tools -> Options, then Projects and Solutions -> VC++ Directories. Add the correct paths for each of the "Show directories for:" part. I have:
Executable files = "F:\DirectX SDK (February 2006)\Utilities\Bin\x86"
Include files = "F:\DirectX SDK (February 2006)\Include"
Library file = "F:\DirectX SDK (February 2006)\Lib\x86"

That should work. Did you also download the Platform SDK, and follow The Instructions on getting VC2005 set up with it?