DirectX9 vs DirectX10

A brief intro about DirectX. Directx is created by Microsoft code named Directx, a collective name for a programming interface, Direct3D, Direct Draw, DirectSound etc, and is used to handle tasks in multimedia applications. Mainly used with video games. Basically how well a video game looks. It started with Directx 1.0 in 1995 and we’re up to version 10 now.
DirectX10 has arrived with Windows Vista! (a Vista exclusive, stupid move on Microsoft’s part but I’ll talk about that later).

Although a few video cards actually support it (Nvidia 8800 series / ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, and not many games are out that actually take advantage of it, the results are stunning!

DirecX10 is only with Vista. Problem is, Vista and DirectX9 (version 9c) gaming don’t get along with each other although Microsoft’s claim that they are backwards compatible. They are simply not. DirectX10 is built from ground up, on a totally different architecture. They started with a clean slate with means that more then half of the games and applications you used to run under XP with good old DirectX9 simply don’t work anymore with DirectX10 installed.

My old computer has XP with DirectX9, my new one has Vista with DirectX10.
So far I can’t tell the difference with directx10 because for the simple fact I don’t have any games that support DirectX10. And even if I did, I need to get the right video card in order to support it! So basically I have to spend a lot of cash to see stunning quality graphics. That’s right, even more stunning and realistic then XboX360 (once again Microsoft made the mistake here that the XboX360 cannot be upgraded to DirectX10! There were rumors that ATI was going to release a patch but that’s unfortunately untrue)

Some images so you can see the power of DirectX10.

Flight Simulator with DirectX9

Flight Simulator with DirectX10

Age of Conan with DirectX9

Age of Conan with DirectX10

Some video samples: (pardon the shitty low YouTube resolution)

Looks awesome right! The only problem is that you need Vista and a high end video card!
I don’t see why they don’t make it compatible with XP or even XboX360! It’s their own product line! They can’t even make it compatible?!

Bottom line is, if you have XP it stops at DirectX9, to take full advantage of DirectX10 and all it’s components you need Vista.
Directx10 is NOT backwards compatible as they claim at Microsoft. It’s as I like to call it ‘artificially’ backwards compatible which means it will ‘emulate’ DirectX9, but that’s not the real step back since it’s built on a totally different architecture.
It should’ve been named something completely different since it’s a different software driver. DirectX 10 has nothing to do with the previous versions of DirectX!
I tried it myself. Most of my games that had no trouble with XP, simply won’t run under Vista.
It will take years for most gamers to catch up with the latest technology to take advance of DirectX10. Especially since they excluded XP and Xbox360.
Way to go Microsoft!

Some performance (FPS) benchmarks with the game ‘Lost Planet’ DirectX9 vs Directx10

oh yeah and check this out too:

SimCity Societies, a big joke from EA/Tilted Mill?

I know I have been talking and commenting on this upcoming game alot lately but I just can’t get over it how retarded it gets everytime. I’ll stop talking about it for awhile after this post

From GameSpy I read the following:

SimCity Societies allows players to create a variety of cities with the unique societies they desire. Players can choose from a variety of more than 350 building types, each of which allows them to combine, connect and re-arrange structures freely. Players can also challenge authority and experiment with what happens when citizens flagrantly disobey power in an unruly Orwellian society. Or if players are feeling happy, they can build a Fun City filled with Ferris Wheels, Gingerbread Houses and Chocolate Factories!

(not a joke, read http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/simcity-societies/)

Gingerbread houses and chocolate factories? Are you kidding me?!? That can’t be right.. how can a city simulation game all of a sudden be in the same category as dora the explorer (kiddies) I refuse to believe this.. hopefully this is all a big joke from EA and the actual game looks and plays way different. Hopefully all a big April’s fools day extended for the rest of the year and we can look forward to an awesome city simulator called SimCity 5.

3D art programs getting better and easier to use

Ever wondered how people created these 3D images and movies, such as “Ratatouille”,  and some of the nice desktop wallpapers?
It’s really not as hard and expensive as it actually looks, well maybe if you want to be a pro and work for “Pixar Animation Studios”.
I’m talking about, eh, home entertainment? More basic
A few years ago I tried 3D art for the first time. Back then I used a program called “Bryce” and “Poser” and both were difficult to use in my opinion. Especially if you wanted to insert a 3D model from Poser in Bryce. There were so many options and selections and none of them really visualized their function.
Nowadays if you are planning to be a 3D artist, or just want to have a hobby on the side, there are plenty of different programs to choose from, and the good news is that it’s pretty easy and cheap too!
There are a couple of 3D rendering software programs that really stand out in their category, Bryce 6.1, Vue d’Esprit, 3D Studio, Carrara 5, and Poser 7.
All these programs basically enable you to create pretty much anything you want in a virtual 3D environment. And Bryce, shown below, is available for $99.95.

a visual interface shows you exactly what you are working on!

The image above was made with Bryce 3D! Some images are so realistic it’s hard to see if it’s a photograph or made with 3D software.

With Poser, adjust anything, from positioning the hands to facial features!

This image above was made with Poser and 3D Studio. Click for a bigger version! You’ll be amazed how much detail you’ll see.

a Carrara example

A great website that has many programs for sale is Daz3D! They pretty much have everything to get you started in your new hobby/career
Models, samples and software. And once in awhile they have a good sale going on too!
However there are many other 3D websites out there as well, such as 3D cafe and alot more. Do a Google search on 3D art and you’ll be amazed how many results will come up.

Finally, what are you able to do with your creations once it’s finished? Well, there are several things you can do. You can show them off on you website (wallpapers for desktop?) or even print them in poster format and hang them above your bed

I enjoyed making some of my own art although it is still very basic compared to some of the masterpieces out there. Working with some of these programs is a lot of fun. Experiment with features, if it doesn’t look right just undo and give it the look and feel you were aiming for. I’m sure once you start working with some of these applications within no time you have created a true work of art!

here are some links to get you going:

• Daz3D “Discover the 3D artist within you”
• E-on software “Solutions for Natural 3D environments”
• Fantasy Art Design (for some examples and maybe inspiration)
• Visual Paradox (this site has been around forever and host great wallpapers for your desktop.

at least it’s a start…