There are heaps of DirectX libraries around, but it depends what you want to do - whether you want something pre-defined to be rendered by DirectX, or whether you need to build up the whole scene dynamically. GLScene is a nicely encapsulated set of components for Delphi (as mentioned by Mark) that makes things very easy - I haven't found any DirectX library that comes close as far as ease of development goes. The downside of course is that some cards do not have very good drivers for OpenGL, and it needs 3D acceleration much more than DirectX. Also, there's a bit of a question mark hanging over the future of OpenGL (Most of it's technology is owned by patents - the majority I think were held by NVidia, but I think Microsoft has started buying them).
It depends how dirty you want your hands to get and how much flexibility you need - you can get anything from translated headers with sample projects (Jedi project) to fully packaged DLL/ActiveX libraries such as PowerRender, Panard Vision, Genesis, or Morfit. Phil. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rose, Alan (MDF Rangiora)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Multiple recipients of list delphi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 4:45 PM Subject: RE: [DUG]: 2D and 3D design issues > I am not an expert in this field but I believe your best options for 3D > rendering would be OpenGL or DirectX. > Do a search on "Delphi DirectX" > > -----Original Message----- > From: Paul Roper [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Monday, 25 November 2002 15:27 > To: Multiple recipients of list delphi > Subject: [DUG]: 2D and 3D design issues > > Am contemplating a niche app which involves the user laying out > graphical > objects on a 2D surface which is then viewed/amended/saved and > optionally > placed in a room and viewed as 3D. > > Should I: > > Use the Canvas object and standard delphi graphics stuff? > > Use OpenGL? For 3D viewing, convert and save as a .3DS file and use > an > OpenGl viewer. Are there any units/components for creating 3ds > files? > > Use some other approach? > > Paul > > > ############################################################################ > # > > CAUTION: This e-mail message and accompanying data may contain > information > that is confidential and subject to privilege. If you are not the > intended > recipient, you are notified that any use, dissemination, > distribution or > copying of this message or data is prohibited. If you have received > this > e-mail in error, please notify me immediately by return e-mail and > delete > all material you have incorrectly received. Nelson Marlborough > Institute of > Technology does not accept any liability for the individual opinions > of staff > members expressed within this e-mail message. Thankyou. > > > ############################################################################ > # > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - > New Zealand Delphi Users group - Delphi List - > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Website: http://www.delphi.org.nz > To UnSub, send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with body of "unsubscribe delphi" > Web Archive at: http://www.mail-archive.com/delphi%40delphi.org.nz/ > > DISCLAIMER: This electronic message together with any attachments is > confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, do not copy, disclose or > use the contents in any way. Please also advise us by return e-mail that you > have received the message and then please destroy. Carter Holt Harvey is not > responsible for any changes made to this message and / or any attachments after > sending by Carter Holt Harvey. We use virus scanning software but exclude all > liability for viruses or anything similar in this email or any attachment. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - > New Zealand Delphi Users group - Delphi List - [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Website: http://www.delphi.org.nz > To UnSub, send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with body of "unsubscribe delphi" > Web Archive at: http://www.mail-archive.com/delphi%40delphi.org.nz/ > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Zealand Delphi Users group - Delphi List - [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: http://www.delphi.org.nz To UnSub, send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body of "unsubscribe delphi" Web Archive at: http://www.mail-archive.com/delphi%40delphi.org.nz/
