DirectX + (MFC or managed) C++
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Hi, We're currently implementing a game application using directX with MFC. We have came across the option to use windows forms (in C++) which will simplify the GUI dev. Since one of the requirements is to support Win2000 clients (estimated around 5% of the global PC market!) the trade off is the CLR redist package that we'll have to bring along. My questions are: did anybody wrote windows forms in c++ with DirectX? If so, what are the cons and pros? And in general is it a good idea to use managed c++ with directX. I'll appriciate judicious and experienced answers. Thanks in advance. Snir_ya.
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Hi, We're currently implementing a game application using directX with MFC. We have came across the option to use windows forms (in C++) which will simplify the GUI dev. Since one of the requirements is to support Win2000 clients (estimated around 5% of the global PC market!) the trade off is the CLR redist package that we'll have to bring along. My questions are: did anybody wrote windows forms in c++ with DirectX? If so, what are the cons and pros? And in general is it a good idea to use managed c++ with directX. I'll appriciate judicious and experienced answers. Thanks in advance. Snir_ya.
There are several articles here on
DirectXeither withMFCand managed code. Try also to ask the guys of theC++/CLIforum. :)If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
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There are several articles here on
DirectXeither withMFCand managed code. Try also to ask the guys of theC++/CLIforum. :)If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
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Hi, We're currently implementing a game application using directX with MFC. We have came across the option to use windows forms (in C++) which will simplify the GUI dev. Since one of the requirements is to support Win2000 clients (estimated around 5% of the global PC market!) the trade off is the CLR redist package that we'll have to bring along. My questions are: did anybody wrote windows forms in c++ with DirectX? If so, what are the cons and pros? And in general is it a good idea to use managed c++ with directX. I'll appriciate judicious and experienced answers. Thanks in advance. Snir_ya.
What part of forms on top of MFC simplifies your GUI development? It seems to me using MFC and forms only complicates things. If using MFC, can you use dialogs instead? If you want to go managed, have you looked at XNA? Mark
Mark Salsbery Microsoft MVP - Visual C++ :java:
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What part of forms on top of MFC simplifies your GUI development? It seems to me using MFC and forms only complicates things. If using MFC, can you use dialogs instead? If you want to go managed, have you looked at XNA? Mark
Mark Salsbery Microsoft MVP - Visual C++ :java:
Thanks for your answer Mark. I'm developing a casino application with a lobby as the main win. Selecting a game from the lobby menu opens the game in another window. You're saying i can open the game in a dialog. Does that make sense? Besides, i'm still perplexed by which windows architecture i should use. View/Document (MDI) or dialog based. These are critical issus that i'm facing right now. The directX requirement complicates things even further. I'll appriciate your advise. Thanks. Snir_ya.
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Thanks for your answer Mark. I'm developing a casino application with a lobby as the main win. Selecting a game from the lobby menu opens the game in another window. You're saying i can open the game in a dialog. Does that make sense? Besides, i'm still perplexed by which windows architecture i should use. View/Document (MDI) or dialog based. These are critical issus that i'm facing right now. The directX requirement complicates things even further. I'll appriciate your advise. Thanks. Snir_ya.
snir_ya wrote:
You're saying i can open the game in a dialog. Does that make sense?
It doesn't have to be a dialog - any window will work. I was just wondering why you thought forms would simplify this?
snir_ya wrote:
i'm still perplexed by which windows architecture i should use. View/Document (MDI) or dialog based
You don't have to use either. Your application's main window can be any type of window. If the design of your application doesn't involve documents and views of those documents, then certainly don't use doc/view architecture.
snir_ya wrote:
The directX requirement complicates things even further
In windowed mode, then the same issues as above apply. In fullscreen mode, you don't have to worry much about windows. If you want your game to work in both modes, then you'll need windows. I would recommend using the framework you (and your team if applicable) are most comfortable with, whether it's straight Win32 APIs, MFC, or .NET. They are still all valid solutions so using the one you're strongest in will probably yield the best end result. Mark
Mark Salsbery Microsoft MVP - Visual C++ :java:
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snir_ya wrote:
You're saying i can open the game in a dialog. Does that make sense?
It doesn't have to be a dialog - any window will work. I was just wondering why you thought forms would simplify this?
snir_ya wrote:
i'm still perplexed by which windows architecture i should use. View/Document (MDI) or dialog based
You don't have to use either. Your application's main window can be any type of window. If the design of your application doesn't involve documents and views of those documents, then certainly don't use doc/view architecture.
snir_ya wrote:
The directX requirement complicates things even further
In windowed mode, then the same issues as above apply. In fullscreen mode, you don't have to worry much about windows. If you want your game to work in both modes, then you'll need windows. I would recommend using the framework you (and your team if applicable) are most comfortable with, whether it's straight Win32 APIs, MFC, or .NET. They are still all valid solutions so using the one you're strongest in will probably yield the best end result. Mark
Mark Salsbery Microsoft MVP - Visual C++ :java:
Thanks again Mark. You're very helpful.
Mark Salsbery wrote:
In windowed mode, then the same issues as above apply. In fullscreen mode, you don't have to worry much about windows. If you want your game to work in both modes, then you'll need windows.
What do you mean by "windowed mode"? we do intend to give the users the option to play in full/partial screen mode. So by "you'll need windows" are you refering to the obligation to use the doc/view windows architecture? Snir_ya.
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Thanks again Mark. You're very helpful.
Mark Salsbery wrote:
In windowed mode, then the same issues as above apply. In fullscreen mode, you don't have to worry much about windows. If you want your game to work in both modes, then you'll need windows.
What do you mean by "windowed mode"? we do intend to give the users the option to play in full/partial screen mode. So by "you'll need windows" are you refering to the obligation to use the doc/view windows architecture? Snir_ya.
snir_ya wrote:
What do you mean by "windowed mode"?
I meant the same thing as your "partial screen mode", where you host your Direct3D stuff in a window :) Again, you don't have to use doc/view architecture. For example, if using MFC, a CFrameWnd or even a CWnd is all you need. They're all windows - there's no need to complicate things with MFC stuff like doc/view if you're not using it. The windowing part should be the easy part, so you can focus on the game development :) Mark
Mark Salsbery Microsoft MVP - Visual C++ :java:
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snir_ya wrote:
What do you mean by "windowed mode"?
I meant the same thing as your "partial screen mode", where you host your Direct3D stuff in a window :) Again, you don't have to use doc/view architecture. For example, if using MFC, a CFrameWnd or even a CWnd is all you need. They're all windows - there's no need to complicate things with MFC stuff like doc/view if you're not using it. The windowing part should be the easy part, so you can focus on the game development :) Mark
Mark Salsbery Microsoft MVP - Visual C++ :java: