The graphics programmer's essential guide to DirectX 9, straight from the Microsoft DirectX team

The Microsoft DirectX 3D graphics pipeline has undergone a major architectural shift with version 9, making it fully programmable and this book lets you get in on the action! Discover how you can boost multimedia performance for all types of applications, including animation, texturing, modeling, and rendering, with this next generation of 3D graphics software. Providing a step-by-step tour through the graphics pipeline and its 3D utilities, the book covers fundamental features such as vertex shaders, pixel shaders, effect files, new 3D utilities, including mesh utilities, and DirectX 9 extensions. It also includes coded examples showing you how to use or mix and match blocks within the pipeline for unique graphics needs. Packed with how-to information and documentation straight from the Microsoft DirectX development team, this essential guide delivers everything you need for faster, leaner development and more powerful results.