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DirectX 9 Finally Out
T-Kir writes "Microsoft has finally released DirectX 9... although we'll have to wait until the games that fully exploit it are released, at least those with high end cards (aka Radeon 9700+) will be able to unlock more of the advanced features. Now all we have to wait for is OpenGL 2.0!"
It will support the new cards well, but what about the older cards, ie. Voodoo 3,4 and 5?
btw 1st post.
isn't going to be available for the NV30, will it? I don't think it will, because all the Tom's articles I've seen about it only discuss it supporting OpenGL 1.?2?
anyone know if my AIW 7500 is compatible?
This space available.
First FreeBSD 5.0-RC2 and now DirectX 9.0. If I had a FreeBSD box running DirectX I would shit my pants.
Are there any bombs in the EULA? Or the latest version of Magic Lantern?
Use ISO 8601 dates [YYYY-MM-DD]
Microsoft, with its money and power, is able to deal with hardware manufacturers, to receive specs of planned features early and to develop API for those extremely quickly.
This is the reason why Windows and DirectX will always have a huge advantage over every independent implementation, be it MesaGL or something else. Programmers can be sure that MS will implement every new interesting feature of coming graphics hardware quickly, so that they can make use of it. Therefore, DirectX is the obvious choice.
Note that ATI has also released its Catalyst 3.0 drivers with full DX9 support for those cards which can handle it. Those demos look sweet.
It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
Download the latest drivers, then download the demos. They're nothing short of incredible. The Animusic one is spectacular.
"Accept" is greyed out! While it may be true that a sane person might sometimes query accepting Microsoft's terms, it does seem a bit rich that you can't download the patch even if you do. Also the license includes Javascript and HTML as text. I wonder if this is due to a hypothetical previous patch turning stuff off for safety? Can I be bothered tracking it down at this time of year, when there is such wonderful televi... hmm.
High-level shading language
It has a language very close to Cg but that is integrated with VS.NET, meaning you can debug it just like C code. Here's a newsgroup thread where MS says they are working to keep it close to Cg, but it won't be 100% compatible.
Managed support
If you're programming in C#, Managed C++, or any other managed language, you can now use DirectX 9 directly.
Links
Converting to DirectX 9
DX9 client stand-alone download
DX9 SDK download
Using the DX9 Network Setup program is already bogged.
.EXE file)
:)
Here is a direct link to the redistributable setup file (i.e. the
I'm getting about 100KBps right now. The file is a tad over 30MB. My DL is currently at 99%, so I suppose this is safe to post now
Knunov
Why do users with IDs under 100,000 or over 700,000 usually have the most worthwhile comments?
As a mac user I have to wonder: Is direct X really better than OpenGL. I have heard that it is more difficult to program than OpenGL, but as I have never seen the code I can't substantiate it. From people who have programmed both; which is easier to program, which can output better graphics more easily?
Modular Redundancy--Because 4 out of 5 Nodes agree
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From the DirectX 9.0 FAQ:
Due to enhancements in the way DirectPlay functions, it is strongly recommended that all users who want to join or host multiplayer games upgrade to DirectX 9.0. A user with earlier versions of DirectX may have trouble joining or hosting games, or my see a significant performance reduction when playing with users who have 9.0 installed.
ancarett, historian and zombie gamer
LRC, the best-read libertarian site on the web
Thanks for the link to the redistributable version, I hate these downloading installer things. -= Too much knowledge never leads to a simple conclusion. =-
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DirectX has no reason to exist other that the hope that Microsoft has that they can pull so far ahead of an open standard, such as OpenGL, that games will look their best (or better yet for Microsoft, will only work at all) on Winx86. This is Slashdot news because a) it's a threat to open standards b) it's still interesting tech despite ill intent of it's conception and c) Slashdot is not a Linux site.
I'll be excited when
1) there are DX9 games available
2) a DX9 compat. card can be had without forking over a majority of my month's paycheck
If you can't see the value in jet powered ants you should turn in your nerd card. - Dunbal (464142)
At first glance, I saw "Microsoft... exploit..." and immediately thought "oh, not another bug".
why do ppl always compare dx against opengl? they are two quite different things. + opengl is graphics api + directx is api for graphics,sound,network,input devices. you should compare SDL or maybe allegro (dont remember the link) against dx but not a graphics api!
PR department for MS? I've *never* seen a positive article here about anything MS. Even this one has a jab about OpenGL. PR department it ain't. On the other hand, every time there's a new Linux x.xxxx.xxx.xxx or Mozilla 0.xxxxx release, it's announced as the "MS killer". I don't know what you've been reading kiddo.
Besides, believe it or not, geeks actually use MS stuff all the time. And kid, let me suggest that if you're so utterly offended, that you just set your preferences to ignore all MS related articles. You'd think that suck a l33t Linux h4x0r such as yourself would have figured this out already.
Were hoping this resolves problems with some of the users of this great game. Now only if Nvidia can fix their BSOD issues.
http://ac2.warcry.com
A better comparison would be between Direct3D and OpenGL, with SDL up against all other parts of DirectX.
All well and fine, but what do I do about "7th Legion"? It seems to require Direct X 5 and the graphics look weird under Direct anything else...
If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
You'll have to wait a few years before there more than a handful of games that take advantage of it.
HOLY SHIT!!!
Honey-- I told you not to turn off the antivirus autochecker!!
All kidding aside, I downloaded the demos and screensavers (If you upgraded from the DX9 Beta you have to reinstall all the demos), and I for one am astounded! I NEVER use screensavers at home, but will now... with the lights off, and some Pink Floyd...
I wish ATI will release an "aquarium" themed screensaver or demo... something with jellyfish would be awesome! I mean, just replace the bacteria, right?
That's funny cause none of the Geforce cards support DirectX 8 yet. They are still in the directX 7.x level. Ati is the only make that supports even directX 8.
Anyone know how MORE restrictive its licensing will be? Given Microsoft's track record of tightening its grip on each and every release/update of all its software.
Not intended to start a flame war, I'm just curious.. as the last update of media player we weren't able to install, due to the 'added' bits, as they violated some of our privacy polices.. the license latest service pack for Win2000 is still being evaluated.
In the end, at the rate they are going we may have to go OSS for these reasons alone. ( which is fine by me )
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Exploit is an interesting choice of words when used to describe any aspect of Windows...
Perhaps CmdrTaco is hard at word on the DX9 version of CodeRed...
Sure, you might get Rooted, but at least the defacing will look purty.
Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
Microsoft also mentions to create a restore point on XP before installing DirectX 9.0 because they don't know if it will cause issues or problems after the install. And there is no way of uninstalling it after you install it, as they mention. Oh boy, I can't wait to see a couple of weeks down the road from now. What issues may arise?
Link: Check out the Web site. They got really cool demos.
Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
Is directX9 how Billy G. will attempt to get Digital Rights Management onto my computer? Tie a bunch of really kewl games/graphics features to a "protection" mechanism that makes a colonoscopy look like a walk in the park? I really need to be protected from all that content I've purchased.
The Russians have won. They have made the world a cesspool of distrust, greed, fear and hate.
Yay Microsoft!
Go Microsoft!
DX9 WOOHOO!
Microsoft needs to move to Dallas, 'cause they're just like JR Ewing-- we all just love to hate 'em, but we still put their gas in our cars.
I installed DX 9 (but made a restore point prior to installing it) and found that with Age of Kings that I was getting a black screen on 1280x1024 resolution. So I had to go back.
Hmm, so I'm not a geek because I don't use windows? Oh well, at least I sleep better at night...
what goes up must come down, ask any sysop / sig11
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DirectX 9 is now available from Microsoft but in very large files. Icarus Independent now offers an alternative here at the DevZone. Download as much or as little as you need. Each section of DirectX 9 is neatly zipped up in it's own file.
If the download is still a bit daunting head to here and request the DirectX 9 SDK be included on a Content CD which costs only $2 per 650MB plus shipping which is typically less than $2 within the US.
Ben
Work Safe Porn
"Now all we have to wait for is OpenGL 2.0!" Isn't that like saying, "Now all we have to wait for is God to ride down on a cloud and hand deliver it to us!"
-----.----.-------
I'll
... is nVidia blew 3dfx out of the water by slower introducing and supporting new stuff faster. Now it appears ATI is doing the same thing... and nVidia is LETTING it happen... Stupid.
Shadus
U must choose nVIDIA for FFXI and Cg.
I installed this yesterday, mostly because Microsoft's Impossible Creatures wanted it installed. Later I tried running a networked game of Dungeonsiege but it would crash when I tried start it. My guess was that DirectX 9 broke the networking module. To test my theory I went back to a restore point before DirectX 9 and sure enough directX networking was working again. I have XP installed, I'm not sure if anybody else has seen this. Maybe it is just an issue with my config.
http://saveie6.com/
The demos are just as amazing!! Truely jawdropping.
-- taking over the world, we are.
If microsoft would work to bring DirectX compatibility to other platforms, and make it a gaming platform, I think it would like it a lot more....
It's not bad per say...
just not compatible. Forces me to use windows for gaming.
Although I can't be bothered to search for the link (it was on Anandtech or Toms Hardware), but apparently the ATI cards incorporate the DirectX version in their names.. hence the 9xxx cards were designed with DirectX 9.x in mind (hardware manufacturers have had the spec for months), and the Radeon 8xxx series was designed with DirectX 8.x... etc.
nVidia on the other hand started messing things up with the MX's, Ti's and Pure versions (let alone the FX, what next? FX2 or FX Part Deux?)... let alone any correlation to new or existing graphics technologies... i.e. they're just there to confuse Joe Public into thinking a GeForce 4 MX is better than a GeForce 3 etc.
Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
Currently, only ATI has DX9-compatible drivers. nVidia has yet to release their's, so I would suggest that anybody with an nVidia card wait for the latest Detonator drivers.
And what DRM nonsense will this release include?
So, how is this better (if it is) for those of us already using DX 8.something with average hardware (in my case, Geforce 2 MX)?
Next week by Tuesday before lunch?
Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
What is fact is that OpenGL does a tiny fraction of what DirectX does.
And do you say that DirectX sucks because "Direct3D only does 3D"? No. You use a bunch of libraries of varying quality because MS has marketed them under a single name ("DirectX")? I suppose if you use OpenGL, you cannot use OpenAL?
Hell, I can fix that right now. I name the combination of SDL, OpenGL, OpenAL, SDL_ttf, SDLSprite and SDL_image "HyperX". Voila! By your criteria, now HyperX is better, because it does more!
May we never see th
http://www.ati.com/products/pc/catalyst/dx9demos.h tml
The paypal (or equiv.) interface.
....when the zealots finally get their way, and Windows dies, forcing Bill to come out with a forked version of Linux, featuring....DirectX!
Same prices, even more profit. Resistance will be futile.
My favorite Linux site of all time, and it's come
down to this: the site founder himself posts a damn
story about Windows.
This is truly the death knell for desktop Linux.
Let's imagine that you have a new feature that doesn't exactly play with Microsoft's strategic direction of the week. You're frozen out.
Really, that's the issue, here. Who's in the driver's seat. If you're *just* DirectX, then Microsoft is in the driver's seat, and you're maybe in the passenger's seat or back seat, but maybe you're back in the trunk or the trailer. Right now ATI and nVidia get to ride in the car with the driver, and they have some say about the hardware features that DirectX expresses.
Playing nicely with OpenGL and Open Source gives graphics makers a chance to differentiate their product. Maybe it's an extension, not OpenGL base, but at least OpenGL has the extension mechanism, and you're not petitioning Microsoft to grant your feature. Open source is not even a bad move, for some niche products, since many of those run on Unix/Linux, anyway.
Of course a graphics maker must play ball with Microsoft these days. But there are good business reasons to also keep a finger in the Open Source corner, too.
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
So I downloaded the Gun Metal DX9 demo from nvidia, it says unsupported card on my ATI 9700.
Strange, ATI 9700 is the only DX9 card out. Also ATI's Demos and Screen savers will run on any DX9 card. Seems NVIDIA is up to the tricks again.
Bad enough, games come out with "Made to be played on Nvidia" or some other crap.
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I just installed the new DirectX 9 and upgraded the ATI driver for Radeon8500 (there is no real advantage for DirectX 9 with Radeon8500). The system got completely screwed up. I had to reinstall everything.
After installing the ATI drivers the system restarts...here it hangs. Be careful while doing this...there is some problem with DirectX and ATI Radeon drivers.
Tat Tvam Asi
It's 2002. Out of the box, Quake 2 and even Quake World will just work with your computer as long as you have drivers for your card from your card provider. Why? Because OpenGL is so standardized, that you can keep running your games years later. What else offers this security? Only consoles. I can still play Metal Gear on my NES as easily as Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty on my PS2.
:)
What happens when I try to run a DOS VGA game? A DOS CGA game? A DX 1 game? Not much...
Microsoft says they've tried to keep things compatible, but I've yet to see Windows DX games which work after multiple DX major version upgrades (3-5+) without some patching. Just another reason to console game
--
Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
Running the animusic demo on an Athlon 1.4, with 512 DDR RAM and the Radeon 9500 PRO, I get significant slowdown. By the end of the music, the graphics are a few seconds behind. Any one with a comparable system having this occur?
I am a sig. I wish I were a more creative sig, but I am not. I guess everyone has something to strive for.
You present this: the vendor must choose a software company to work with, and their best choice is Microsoft.
Duh.
But you then imply that everyone else must be excluded. Why? It won't hurt the hardware vendor to release detailed documentation to the public at large. If they do that, other software companies (open source or proprietary) can write their own compatible rendering libraries. Cost to the vendor, zero. If the other software companies produce good software, people might buy the product. The vendor benefits from increased sales and exposure.
It may not be as much sales as those from working with Microsoft, but it will be some, and at zero cost to the hardware maker. How can they lose? Why shouldn't they do it?
DirectX supports "rich audio". What is THAT?
"Don't use Style Sheets - it makes web pages unreadable in Microsoft Internet Explorer."
Wow. Quite possibly the most misinformed sig I have ever read. It's one thing to say "Use proportional font sizes" or even "Don't specify pixel widths", but to advocate getting rid of style sheets completely... wow. I just hope you're not getting paid to develop web sites!
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vi is [[13~^[[15~^[[15~^[[19~^[[18~^ a :x :wq dang it :w:w:w :x ^C^C^Z^D
muk[^[[29~^[[34~^[[26~^[[32~^ch better editor than this emacs. I know
I^[[14~'ll get flamed for this but the truth has to be
said. ^[[D^[[D^[[D^[[D ^[[D^[^[[D^[[D^[[B^
exit ^X^C quit
-- Jesper Lauridsen from alt.religion.emacs
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