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DirectX
Easy Definition: Set of APIs designed for multimedia development
Detailed Definition: Set of APIs designed for software development requiring multimedia and gaming components; DirectX is considered a component of Windows OS
History:
In the eve of the release of Windows 95, Super geeks Craig Eisler, Alex St. John, and Eric Engstrom were commissioned by Microsoft to build a set of API’s that would give Windows an edge in computer gaming. The result was DirectX.
Developer: Microsoft Corporation
Where can I Download DirectX?
DirectX is now on its 11th version. The Windows PC can only take the ninth version, DirectX 9.0c. Download this powerful and free tool, that lets you play games and use programs with all the power of hard core graphics.
PC Games that Support DirectX
Aliens vs. Predator
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
Anno 2070
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
Batman: Arkham City
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
BattleForge
Updated to support DirectX 11
Battlefield 3
Only supports DirectX 10, 10.1 and 11.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11.
Blacklight: Retribution
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11.
Civilization V
Supports DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11
Crysis 2
Updated to support DirectX 11
Colin McRae: Dirt 2
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c and DirectX 11.
Dirt 3
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
Dirt: Showdown
Only supports DirectX 10, 10.1 and 11.
Dragon Age II
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode, DirectX 10 mode is accessed only by the renderer
Dungeons and Dragons Online
Game patch “Update 7″ added DirectX 11 support
Eve Online
Updated to support DirectX 11.
F1 2010
Updated Patch v1.01 to support DirectX 11
F1 2011
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
F.E.A.R. 3
DirectX 11 support( with antialiasing)
Hamilton’s Great Adventure
Only supports DirectX 10 and DirectX 11.
Homefront
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11.
King Arthur II
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11.
Lost Planet 2
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
L.A. Noire
DirectX 11 mode added in patch
Max Payne 3
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, DirectX 10.1 and DirectX 11.
Metro 2033
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11.
Need for Speed: The Run
Supports DirectX 10, 10.1 and 11
Nexuiz
Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
Oil Rush
Supports DirectX 10, DirectX 11
Red Faction: Armageddon
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11.
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
Support DirectX 11.
Saints Row: The Third
Supports DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, and DirectX 11.
Sniper Elite V2
Only supports DirectX 10 and 11.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
Supports DirectX 8, DirectX 9.0c, DirectX 10, DirectX 10.1 and DirectX 11.
Star Trek Online
Updated to support new DirectX API on January 5, 2012, Supports DirectX 9.0c, 10, 10.1, 11 and 11.1.
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar
Game update” added DirectX 11 support.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
Supports DirectX 11
Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X 2
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
Total War: Shogun 2
Updated to support DirectX 10, 10.1, 11
Total War: Shogun 2 – Fall of the Samurai
Supports DirectX 10,10.1 and 11.
Wargame: European Escalation
Only Supports DirectX 9.0c mode and DirectX 11 mode.
World of Warcraft
Supports DirectX 11
Where can I find DirectX?
DirectX is prevalent throughout software and browsers. People most commonly associate as the component that they need to install before a program functions. Hard-core gamers know it as “the graphics” elixir. DirectX can be found in these programs and situations.
GAMES- Any respectable PC game with decent graphics is bound to have DirectX components. You can bet your money on it
PROGRAMS- Software that heavily relies on hardware-accelerated graphics or HD video or HD animation. A good example is Microsoft Mathematics.
Can I Find DirectX on my PC ?
Yes! You can. Hit the WINDOWS KEY + R on your keyboard. Type “dixdiag” on the box, as shown below Now click OK..
This will open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, which will tell you the version of DirectX you are running..
How Does it Work?
DirectX works a functional harmony of various components working together to accomplish media and graphics capability for games and software.
DirectDraw ( draws 2D Graphics )
DirectX Media Objects ( web animation and media streaming and playback)
Direct3D ( draws 3D objects )
DXGI: for identifies adapters and Direct2D for 2D Graphics
DirectWrite ( handles Fonts )
DirectCompute ( handles GPU computing )
DirectInput ( handles keyboards, mice, joysticks, or game controllers.)
DirectSound3D ( handles the playback of 3D sounds.)
DirectSetup: ( installs all the components of DirectX )
Technologies Based on DirectX
Microsoft has based many tools and technologies on DirectX technology, including the following:
- XNA Framework: the famous gaming framework was built based on the components of DirectX
- Windows Display Driver Model, which is exclusive to only Windows 7 and Vista, and powers the Windows Aero, was based on DirectX components
