This Wrox Blox will guide you through the world of 3D programming and give you solid knowledge and a foundation in game programming using Microsoft's XNA Framework. You will learn the fundamentals from 3D mathematics to model animation, including all the subjects needed to start developing 3D games, such as how to position objects in 3D space, handle collision detection, control the game camera, and understand the basics of shaders — special programs that execute on the graphics processor. Also covered are how to extend the XNA Content Pipeline to read and use model skeletal animation, and also load and play back timeline animation data created in 3D modeling tools. 3D concepts and systems can seem like a foreign language when you're a beginner. And not knowing the lingo can make it hard to know what terms to search for to solve a problem. This Wrox Blox will give you all the tools you need to build your own 3D game. Table of Contents Who Is This Book For? 1 3D Overview 2 Basic 3D Math 4 Right-Hand Rule 4 Working with Matrices 5 Identity, Scale, Rotate, Orbit, Translate (ISROT) 6 Working with Vectors 7 Unit Vectors 10 Working with Quaternions 12 Controlling the Camera 13 Basic Camera 13 Follow Camera 19 ViewPorts 20 BoundingFrustum 22 3D Models 23 Modeling Programs and Formats 23 Loading a Model 24 Collision Detection 27 Skeletal Animations 29 Extending the Content Pipeline 29 Manipulating Bones at Run Time 31 Using Model Animations 36 About Michael C. Neel 39

Create action-packed 3D games with the Microsoft XNA Framework.

Essential XNA Game Studio 2.0 Programming provides both hobbyists and experienced programmers with the information they need to take advantage of Microsoft’s powerful XNA Framework and XNA Game Studio to produce professional-level games for both the PC and the Xbox 360. Beginners learn the fundamentals of 2D game development, creating a complete top-down shooter. Intermediate and advanced users can jump right into 3D game development and create a version of the 3D game that takes advantage of hardware acceleration using High-Level Shader Language (HLSL). Learn how to build an input system to receive events from devices; use the Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool (XACT) to integrate sounds and music into your game; design difficulty systems to tailor your game to players with different skill levels; create a multiplayer game using the networking features of the XNA Framework; implement an achievement system to provide incentive for continued play of your game.

Get Started Fast with XNA Game Studio 4.0-and Build Great Games for Both Windows� Phone 7 and Xbox 360� This is the industry's best reference and tutorial for all aspects of XNA Game Studio 4.0 programming on all supported platforms, from Xbox 360 to Windows Phone 7 and Windows PCs. The only game development book authored by Microsoft XNA development team members, it offers deep insider insights you won't get anywhere else-including thorough coverage of new Windows Phone APIs for mobile game development. You'll quickly build simple games and get comfortable with Microsoft's powerful XNA Game Studio 4.0 toolset. Next, you'll drill down into every area of XNA, including graphics, input, audio, video, storage, GamerServices, and networking. Miller and Johnson present especially thorough coverage of 3D graphics, from Reach and HiDef to textures, effects, and avatars. Throughout, they introduce new concepts with downloadable code examples designed to help you jumpstart your own projects. Coverage includes Downloading, installing, and getting started with XNA Game Studio 4 Building on capabilities provided in the default game template Using 2D sprites, textures, sprite operations, blending, and SpriteFonts Creating high-performance 3D graphics with XNA's newly simplified APIs Loading, generating, recording, and playing audio Supporting keyboards, mice, Xbox 360 controllers, Touch, accelerometer, and GPS inputs Managing all types of XNA storage Using avatars as characters in your games Utilizing gamer types, player profiles, presence information, and other GamerServices Supporting Xbox LIVE and networked games Creating higher-level input systems that seamlessly manage cross-platform issues From Windows Phone 7 mobile gaming to Xbox 360, XNA Game Studio 4.0 creates huge new opportunities for experienced Microsoft developers. This book helps you build on skills you already have, to create the compelling games millions of users are searching for.

Summary A thorough revision of the bestselling Silverlight 4 in Action. This comprehensive guide teaches Silverlight from the ground up, covering all the new v. 5 features in depth. You'll also explore WCF RIA Services, MVVM, and more—with dozens of code samples you can use in Visual Studio 2010 or the free Visual Web Developer 2010 Express. About the Book This hands-on guide explores Silverlight from the ground up, covering every feature in rich, practical detail. It is readable and the coverage is comprehensive. You'll master networking, MVVM, and more—with dozens of code samples you can use in Visual Studio or the free Visual Web Developer Express. Silverlight 5 in Action teaches you how to build desktop-quality applications you can deploy on the web. Beginners will appreciate the progression from simple examples to full applications that employ good design and coding practices. Seasoned . NET developers will love how the sample code embraces and extends what they already know. Purchase of the print book comes with an offer of a free PDF, ePub, and Kindle eBook from Manning. Also available is all code from the book. What's Inside 2D and 3D graphics and animation Business application services, rules, and validation The MVVM pattern and testing Free appendixes (150 pages) available online A background in C# or VB.NET is helpful, but no knowledge of Silverlight or XAML is required. ============================================ Table of Contents PART 1 CORE SILVERLIGHT PART 2 CREATING THE USER INTERFACE PART 3 WORKING WITH DATA AND SERVICES PART 4 2D AND 3D GRAPHICS PART 5 MAKING THE MOST OF THE PLATFORM PART 6 BEST PRACTICES Introducing Silverlight XAML and the property system The application model and the plug-in Working with HTML and browsers Out-of-browser applications The security model and elevated trust Rendering, layout, and transforming Panels Human input Text fundamentals Editing plain and rich text Control basics and UserControls Animation and behaviors Resources, styles, and control templates Extensions, converters, custom controls, and panels Binding Data controls: DataGrid and DataForm Input validation Networking basics Working with SOAP services RESTful services with the ASP.NET Web API Working with XML, JSON, RSS, and Atom Duplex, sockets, and local connections Graphics and effects Working with images Introduction to 3D 3D lighting, texturing, and animation Pop-ups, windows, and full-screen applications Navigation Working with files and directories Printing COM, Native Extensions, and p-invoke Structuring and testing with the MVVM pattern Debugging your application The install experience and preloaders

Essential 3ds Max 2008 offers a user-friendly introduction to the newest version of 3ds Max. From an overview of the user interface, tools, and modifers to modeling exercises that demonstrate the creation of an interior, a basic character, and a suit of armor, this book provides readers with a guide to getting the most out of Max. Learn how to model objects using a variety of low-poly and high-poly techniques; use texture maps to vary the look of objects; create and adjust lights in your scenes; unwrap models to generate UVW coordinates; generate normal maps for use in real-time simulations and game development; composite images with background plates.