For those who wish to, you can do
all you programming assignments based on the XNA framework, then you will be able to run your
assignment either on PC or on the XBOX 360 console.
In terms of graphics support, XNA
and Direct3D are fundamentally the same, only they are different:
1.
Programming
language: C# vs C++
2.
API: XNA
Framework vs. DirectX libraries
3.
GUI
support: XNA works with WinForm (and we have our own
XNA based UWB_GUI), DirectX works with MFC.
4.
Hardware:
XBOX 360 console vs Windows PC.
The beauty of learning concepts is
that … well, as far as we are concerned XNA and D3D are the same! Both are
graphics APIs. We learn computer graphics concepts in class, if you dedicate
the time to apply the concept in this new and different technology, not only
will you end up learning more, your assignments will be that much cooler and
that much more fun. Most importantly, your resume will be that much more
impressive! Not only do you have hands-on experience on one of the cutting edge
technology, the motivation, self-discipline, and dedication you have
demonstrated will certainly attract future employers’ attentions!
In addition, if you need the income,
and do well in this class, I will very much like to pay you to work with me to
integrate your work into our library! Imagine, cool assignments, get paid, good
references (from me), pretty resume, _and_ getting paid (did I mention that
already?). Can life be better? Well, it will be hard work … but then again, you
never know, past students got their pictures taken for the newspapers (UWeek,
and Daily) for all we know, if you do a good job,
may be we can get you on some TV somewhere? Or May be you can present your
results at an international conference?
OK enough rambling,
here are some details …If you are still reading, GREAT! Here is what you need
to do:
1.
To Begin: visit this site: http://creators.xna.com/Education/GettingStarted.aspx
2.
IDE: make sure you read through http://creators.xna.com/Education/newtoxna.aspx.
Notice you can either work with Visual C# Express (free) or Visual Studio 2005.
In either case, you must download XNA Game Studio 2.0. Some of my examples are
in C# express while others are in VS 2005. The reason I kept C# Express is because it is free.
3.
Documentations:
a.
For the
IDE: XNA Games Studio Express.
b.
For the
API: XNA Framework class library documentation
(this is also available off the help menu from the XNA Games Studio Express).
4.
Resources: make sure you explore http://creators.xna.com/,
e.g., under resources, there are stuff you can download and use!
5.
On-line
discussions: This is MSDN XNA discussion bulletin. As in all
on-line discussion sites, this place has many useful information, unfortunately,
it also contains many not very helpful (and sometimes even misleading
discussions). Read with care, and watch out, sites like these can easily take
up your entire day!
I
played around with the XNA API slightly, it is
basically a wrapping over DX9. Here
are some simple examples (all examples are in C# Express IDE, with both PC and
XBOX projects):
If you want to work with your
home PC and XBOX 360 console please contact me to gain access to a XNA Creators
Club account. If you are interested in obtaining an account for yourself: it
costs $99- a year to subscribe to the XNA Creators Club (here is how). The CSS has one Creators Club subscription:
Gamer Profile: cssxna
Email Login: cssxna@hotmail.com
Password: contact Kelvin (ksung@u.washington.edu)
Warnings: