   XNA, Direct3D 10, and Native Code
  After searching around for information on the XNA Framework, I'm still confused as to how it fits in with Direct3D 10 and native code.  Will XNA be based on Direct3D 10, Direct3D 9, or both?  I just keep seeing references to Direct3D without a real indication as to what version it will target.  Also, is XNA targetting primarily managed environments (with its implementation of the CLR on the XBox 360), or is the API (or "unified class library") also targetting unmanaged C++ environments, with just a managed wrapper, like MDX?Thanks   
  My understanding right now is that XNA is a toolkit of several different things that allow you to very easily develop for both Xbox and PC. It includes things like asset/pipeline management, build configurations, etc. It also will include what is currently known as Managed DX 2.0; I believe this is what will allow indies to deploy most easily for XBox Live Arcade.Can't be entirely sure (not publically anyway) for a couple more months though -- XNA has been changing almost every time I've been told about it. I'm not sure what exactly XNA provides for unmanaged code either.   ;  Asking "What is XNA?" is a bit vague - XNA is more of a container than a specific "thing" on its own.So far we've seen:"XNA Framework" - the successor to MDX2"XNA Build" - a customized version of MSBuild and other content/asset management stuff targetted at games"XNA Studio" - a game-dev centric version of Visual StudioA whole bunch of pretty videos!Check out the various GDC 2006 slides (google search should pull up stuff, and microsoft.com/xna and msdn.microsoft.com/directx should have them) for the latest information.My understanding is that more concrete details/information will be out during or around the GameFest event this summer. Although I dont know if thats definite [wink]How it all fits together... hmm... I think this falls back to my opening statement. As a suite of technologies/tools they don't all fit on-top-of/together/replace existing stuff. Or, based on the information I've seen it's not that clear-cut. Different bits fit into different places - XNA Framwork obviously replaces MDX, but XNABuild fills a gap that doesn't really have anything right now...hthJack   ;  I've heard that XNA also specifies resource management standards - extensions to file formats (or even new formats?) and means to track resources, how/where they're processed, and where they are used, through the whole production pipeline.   ;  Since the 360 (one of the XNA framework targets) is based on D3D9, and we have seen no indication of any managed wrappers for D3D10 it appears to be a safe bet that XNA framework will be based on D3D9.   ;Quote:we have seen no indication of any managed wrappers for D3D10 No official ones indeed. We do have Demirug's wrapper available in case anyone feels like taking a look at how Managed DirectX 10 just *might* look. For the rest, I agree with ZMan's assessment.Shameless plug I know, but I couldn't resist :)   ;  Sorry, I should have been more specific.  I was referring to the XNA Framework, which I'm assuming is meant to be some sort of wrapper around the DirectX core.  From the Microsoft XNA site: "It is being designed with a unified set of class libraries which will allow for maximal re-use of code and assets across target platforms."So I guess this just means a glorified "MDX 2.0" for Vista and XBox 360.;  Does anybody know what directX features or tools will be available with XNA.  Will it expand on Mesh classes and lighting and such?I know DirectX is somewhat open ended and not structured into a game system of classes ready to use, ie: vertex buffers are fairly loose and open for various types of applications in code.I guess what I'm asking is will it pre-define any powerful game objects ready-to-use?-Devin   ;Quote:Original post by ShawMishrakSo I guess this just means a glorified "MDX 2.0" for Vista and XBox 360.Based on everything we know right now that is the best way to think of it. I'm not even sure if you need to add the word glorified. The runtime used for the GDC demos was incredibly close to the MDX 2 beta you all have access to - I can run the Hexic demo on my PC against the MDX 2.0 beta and though I wasn't involved in the other 2 demos they were developed on MDX 2.0 beta for PC first as well. I'm sure things have changed since then but since nothing is public or locked behind NDAs you will have to wait and see.;Quote:Original post by devroniousDoes anybody know what directX features or tools will be available with XNA.  Will it expand on Mesh classes and lighting and such?...I guess what I'm asking is will it pre-define any powerful game objects ready-to-use?I've seen no announcements on anything specifically along these lines.The next set of announcements is scheduled for late summer which may nicely align with this event 