3d programming

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Original post by gamensane 3d programming

See "3D programming" requires that you learn normal programming and the only way to really program is with a programming language.

You could always just mod a commercail game, but if you ever want a whole 3D game with your name on it you're going to have to learn programming.

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Original post by gamensane I dont have the time for that

Why? Are you dying from some disease?

alright thats fine & dandy, and no Im not dying smart alleck. you still havent answered my question, where should i start. OpenGL,Java, what?

Like it or loathe it, you need to know the basic language before you can start creating 3D stuff with it! Graphic programming is a bit harder than swimming (well... maybe if you don't have any arms then that's a different case).

If you're not prepared to take a few weeks out to even get the basics of C++ or whatever language you want to program in, then I suggest you either rethink wanting to do any real graphics programming or use a quick game package of which there are hundreds:

http://www.stagecast.com/

or for things more complex:
http://darkbasic.thegamecreators.com/


NB. :)

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Original post by gamensane alright thats fine & dandy, and no Im not dying smart alleck. you still havent answered my question, where should i start. OpenGL,Java, what?

That's your choice. If you want to use OpenGL then you can use a few languages with it that provide the correct bindings. One major one is Java. Although these may be buggy and I don't think there are any proper commercial games out there that don't use a language like C++ (afaik that doesn't use any binding libraries?).

If you're serious, learn C++ and then either OpenGL or DirectX. (IMHO, OpenGL is easier to get to grips with).

dont get me wrong I know that I have to learn the language, but I just dont wanna learn the language which should take about a year then start game programming. I would like to program as I go

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Original post by Scet Why? Are you dying from some disease?

:D :D :D :D

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Original post by gamensane dont get me wrong I know that I have to learn the language, but I just dont wanna learn the language which should take about a year then start game programming. I would like to program as I go

If you want to make a good job of it then that's something you can't really do I'm afraid. It certainly won't take you a year to learn C++. If you stick to it you'll have the basics done in a couple of weeks, a couple of months down the line after that and you should have a very strong understanding of the language. THEN go for OpenGL. One problem is if you try to learn OpenGL on the side of C++, or anything for that matter, how are you to know if what you're learning is C++ or OpenGL? ;)

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Original post by gamensane dont get me wrong I know that I have to learn the language, but I just dont wanna learn the language which should take about a year then start game programming. I would like to program as I go

Well there are languages like DarkBasic and BlitzBasic that are designed for 3D games. Other than that most languages are capable of making 3D games with, it's just a matter of opinion. Plus both 3D graphics libraries, Direct3D and OpenGL are also capable of the same things, so that comes down to opinion as well.

I know you "don't have any time", but you should consider testing a few languages out. There are many styles/paradigms when it comes to programming and after a while you'll find you like some more than others.

then where would you suggest to learn that c++?

Hello,

I'm a beginner as a programmer as well and for some time I was trying to do the same thing, jumping right into the code to learn graphics programming right off with no experience whatsoever. I bought a book on beginning game programming with C++, but a short way in I was totally confused. I got totally lost in the language (functions, arrays, pointers, etc.) and was so frustrated that I stopped programming for almost a month.

I believe that is it vital that you have some understanding of the language you're using before you start coding. I recommend reading at least one book about your chosen language. I'm reading "C++: Black Book" and I think that after I'm finished with it I will be much more prepared to pick up graphics programming again.

You don't have to master all the fine details of basic programming before you start 3D programming. Just take a few days to immerse yourself in the subject and get a background of understanding. Then go bit by bit (or byte by byte, I should say). ;D

Good luck to you,

Mage

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Original post by NewBreed... It certainly won't take you a year to learn C++...

I've been using C++ for a few years now and I still discover things I didn't know about it on a regular basis. I'm glad you put that you could get a 'strong understanding' within a year rather than a mastery, because that would have been a -little- inaccurate :)

~Shiny

would online sources be just as effective

This is probably the fastest way to 3D games but you'll still need to know/learn c#:
Beginning 3D Game Programming

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Original post by gamensane would online sources be just as effective

I think human beings are some of the most effective sources out there. You can read a lot of examples on CProgramming, but there's not much you'll get in terms of proper code organization, design-oriented thinking, and commitment unless you have human beings available.

Most of the good books that teach this sort of thing (e.g. everything beyond the syntax), as well as helpful online types, assume you already know the syntax; online sources are fine for the syntax but for anything serious the whole thing falls apart IMHO.

It doesn't really matter what language you pick (I prefer C++ and Python) as much as it does that you know it. Otherwise you'll waste time farting about trying to figure out what the hell these 'function arguments' are and just annoy your source of help.

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Original post by gamensane I would like to learn how to do 3d programming, but I have a very little programming background. I dont wanna hear, "you need to learn the language before", because I dont have the time for that. I would just like to jump right into the deep water. Thats how I learned to swim by heading straight for it. So I want to programming in 3d, by heading straight for it as well. Anybody know where I can start?

I "jumped in the deep end" by downloading the Half-Life SDK. I hardly knew C++ and had no idea about 3D at all.

After slowly making mods for a few years I was very proficient with C++ (but still had lots to learn), and understood 3D concepts enough to go on and learn OpenGL and Direct3D9.

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Original post by Shiny Quote: Original post by NewBreed... It certainly won't take you a year to learn C++... I've been using C++ for a few years now and I still discover things I didn't know about it on a regular basis. I'm glad you put that you could get a 'strong understanding' within a year rather than a mastery, because that would have been a -little- inaccurate :) ~Shiny

;)

You could try sites like nehe.gamedev.net or www.gametutorials.com for tutorials on all aspects of programming. A lot of the time you MAY get away with just using functions and classes created in these tutorials to get a 'game' or application up and running but if you don't understand the theory behind it you'll have NO flexibility and probably end up very very stuck. Having said that tho, some people find learning by example much easier.

Oh and don't be put off DirectX, it's awesome. C++ and DirectX is the way to go!! (Please, no more DirectX vs OpenGL wars!)

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Original post by furiousukOh and don't be put off DirectX, it's awesome. C++ and DirectX is the way to go!! (Please, no more DirectX vs OpenGL wars!)

OT: I don't know why, but this statement made me laugh :D You can't stop a bullet, AFTER you shot it :)

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Original post by Ludi83 Quote: Original post by furiousukOh and don't be put off DirectX, it's awesome. C++ and DirectX is the way to go!! (Please, no more DirectX vs OpenGL wars!) OT: I don't know why, but this statement made me laugh :D You can't stop a bullet, AFTER you shot it :)

Yeaa!! Mother F___ _____, I use ______ its the best!


Sorry I just felt like doing that..

I learned a programming language before I ever considered graphics programming. If you wanna go simple, I suggest VB6 + DX8 (I dont even know if you can still get those dx8 libraries). But with the knowledge I have now, I'd go get you a intro to C++ book and download all the NEHE tutorials. My windows base code is *very* closely derived from theirs. Another great site is http://www.gametutorials.com, but you have to purchase some of their tutorials.

edit:

After re reading my second to last statement I realized why you need to learn a programming language first. For the terminology. Sure you could copy and paste parts of tutorials together and get decent results. But when you want to have an educated conversation with someone about new content for your game. You're not going to want to refer to everything as a reference to a tutorial. Someone should be able to describe the process nesessary for a feature and using your programming knowledge you should have the ability to implement it and research it with other known terminology.