Microsoft
has announced the release of the final version of Microsoft DirectX
8.0. Microsoft DirectX is an advanced suite of multimedia APIs built
into Microsoft Windows operating systems. DirectX provides a standard
development platform for Windows-based PCs by enabling software developers
to access specialized hardware features without having to write hardware-specific
code.
Microsoft
says that DirectX 8.0 offers many new features and improvements for
multimedia application developers including:
-
Consolidated
interfaces for DirectDraw and Direct3D simplify application development
and improve performance.
-
Improved
graphics authoring tool integration eases development of optimal
3-D characters and environments.
-
Vertex
shaders and pixel shaders improve image realism.
-
Consolidated
DirectSound and DirectMusic interfaces simplify application development.
-
DLS2
audio synthesis support improves instrument realism.
-
DirectInput
device mapping provides simplified device support.
-
DirectPlay
performance and scalability for massively multiplayer games has
been improved.
-
DirectPlay
IP voice communication support is provided.
-
DirectShow
Editing Services APIs provide real-time compositing and editing
of audio/video timelines.
-
DirectShow
supports reading and writing Windows Media Audio and Video (WMA
and WMV).
-
Microsoft
TV Technologies support digital television.
The latest version of DirectX and the DirectX 8.0 Software Development
Kit are available as a free downloads. Microsoft says they are scheduled
to be available for download before 12:01 a.m. PST, Saturday, Nov. 11.
DirectX
8.0
Microsoft
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News
[11.10.00]