   For Jim Adams
  I'd just like to say that I bought your book, Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX, but I didn't have MSVC++ so I figured I was out of luck. A year goes by, me working with OpenGL which, not to start a flamestorm, I hate, with the book just sitting on the shelf. Then, I discovered a way to make the DirectX for Dev-C++ API work(ask here if you need help with it). Now I realize just how great your book is... I put alpha blending in the Lights demo in 5 minutes flat... Thanks for the great book![edited by - charsoft on December 21, 2003 8:35:29 PM]
  Yup, thanks for the great book once again, Jim. ^_^If anyone needs any help trying to get DirectX towork with Dev-C++ (or more specifically, getting Jim''sengine to work with Dev-C++), I wrote a short articleabout it recently at:http://www.sherman3d.net/Sherman3D/main.php?action=showPage&link=tutorial/prog/cpp/devcpp.phpIf I am not mistaken, this article will be publishedin GameDev''s sweet snippets section soon.Thanks. ^_^   _________________   Best regards,    Sherman Chin  www.Sherman3D.com;  I too would like to thank Jim Adams for the legendary Book, Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX. The book has exceeded all expectations. Thanks again.   [edited by - Ratterbox on December 22, 2003 10:06:39 PM];  That book was a waste of cash.  I can't believe I spent 50 bucks on that tiolet paper.1/3  was based 0on the dxsdk,  the scripting portion is TOTALLY wrong,  (since you should never script in c++) 1/6 was outdated,  which leaves 1/6 for good information. SO  I guess 15% of the book was decent.EDIT: BEFORE you flame me,  back it up!   [edited by - RhoneRanger on December 22, 2003 10:52:19 PM];  I thought the book was a decent reference for beginners that are having a hard time understanding the SDK. But I have to agree with RhoneRanger on the fact that the entire scripting section was a waste of pages. It was too focused on the author''s needs and not enough on general scripting knowledge. The one thing this book needed was a detailed description of the .X format. Anyone else agree?   ---Brent Gunning | My Site;    The book has its good points, but most of it is a quick overview of the topics with no real depth. Most of the information I found to be ideas and theory or describing how to use the included libraries, but nothing explaining really what was going on behind the scenes.  Makes a good book for beginners, but could probably do just as good a job with %75 less content, and less price.  Also, after a few weeks, the book split in half. $60 could have paid for a little bit better binding I think. ;  Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX is one of my favourite books. I think Jim Adams did a pretty good job on it. I liked the way he creates an engine and explains how to encapsulate everything into classes which keeps it object oriented. Only part I did not particularly like was the explanation of using skinned meshes in .X but besides for that great book.Good work Jim! ;quote:Original post by RhoneRanger  That book was a waste of cash.  I can''t believe I spent 50 bucks on that tiolet paper.1/3  was based 0on the dxsdk,  the scripting portion is TOTALLY wrong,  (since you should never script in c++) 1/6 was outdated,  which leaves 1/6 for good information. SO  I guess 15% of the book was decent.I agree that the intro was a bit of a waste for most people, but for beginners it''s one of the better introductions available.  So while it may not have been what *you* want, that doesn''t make it "toilet paper".Would you like to back up the rest of your complaints?  It''s hard to argue your facts when you don''t state many. You just make vague comments that it all sucks.IMHO, it''s one of the better DX books on the market. Stay Casual,KenDrunken Hyena;  All I can say is that you can''t tailor a book for everyoccasion and person but Jim''s book meets all my requirementsand expectations, thus I would personally rate it as myfavourite DirectX book out there. I am sure you will findit very useful if you are creating a Japanese-style RPG butif you are not, please do yourself a favour and glancethrough it at the bookshop before buying it. If you don''thave the luxury to do so, please do not insult Jim Adams(especially in a forum moderated by him) simply becausehis book is not what you wanted. Thank you for yourunderstanding.    _________________   Best regards,    Sherman Chin  www.Sherman3D.com;quote:Original post by RhoneRanger  That book was a waste of cash. I can''t believe I spent 50 bucks on that tiolet paper.Then you should research what books actually cover before buying them, eh dumbass? It was the first game programming book I ever read and as such was a BIG help.   pan narrans | My Website | Study + Hard Work + Loud Profanity = Good Code 