Direct3D

From DmWiki

Direct3D is the graphics-based subsystem of the DirectX API for Windows, which provides a set of low-level interfaces for interacting with a graphics accelerator at the hardware level. The Direct3D interface bypasses the Windows GDL, allowing for higher-level performance and response times that would otherwise not be possible. As of the time of this writing (25/05/2007), the Direct3D API is in version 10, which improves the capabilities of the Direct3D API while adding support for new features, as well as boosting the resources available through the DirectX Shader Language.

While Direct3D has been criticized as a component of DirectX (and therefore, only available on Windows platforms, such as Windows 95+, Xbox, or Xbox 360), it is commonly used in many of today's AAA titles, including Half-Life 2, World of WarCraft, Halo and more.

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Cross-compatibility

While not a Microsoft-based development, Direc3D has seen use on the Linux operating system through a compatibility layer known as Wine (a forever-loop acronym known as Wine is not an emulator). Wine is capable of running most Direct3D-capable programs. While this does not make Direct3D any more cross-platform than it previously was, it does provide a solution for developers who prefer running GNU-based operating systems to develop for Direct3D without needing to utilize Windows-based systems.

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