Blender Animations

[Jake94]

Hey guys,

I was looking into game development, and I stumbled cross DirectX, Blender, and C++ to program in. I've already looked into C++ and DirectX, and I see that they work together. I was wondering: can animations, exported to a .x file from blender, be accessed and displayed(in a window) with C++ and/or DirectX(through C++)? Or do I have to save a bunch of still models(in a .x file) and string them together using C++. Thanks!

[hamsterman]

It's possible to load an animation, though it's more complicated that a static mesh.
I suggest that (unless you're into lower level stuff) you find a 3d engine (like ogre3d) which would take care of the more complicated parts.

[Bazzy]

You can also use Blender itself to make games

[Jake94]

So, it is possible, but it's more complex. Is it more practical to "string" together static models using C++, or to make the animations in blender, and load and display them with C++ and DirectX? Like Bazzy said, I do know that Blender can be used to make games, but I was looking at using C++, because of its ability to create an executable, so my games can be put on multiple computers.

[hamsterman]

I have no idea how would 'stringing' them together work (that is, it would not work). As I said, find an engine. There's no need to do everything yourself.

[Duthomhas]

'Stringing' them together is actually, outside of using gameblender, the only really feasible way to do it. (Think shapekeys.)

If you keep your models really simple (avoiding envelopes or other fancy tweening-type rigging techniques), you can re-rig them yourself after exporting them from blender. You can even export the rig (well, a model of it) if you are smart. ;-)

Keep in mind that gameblender has some legal issues attached to it. For all the gory details of how to use/avoid it, see the Blender Artists forums:
http://blenderartists.org/forum/

[zb0S216C]

.X files are Direct3D's file format. The Direct3D library has a .X loader integrated into the library.

[hamsterman]

@Framework,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee418800(v=vs.85).aspx
see "How this samle works"

here's a (modified) example I've found somewhere:
http://pastebin.com/u98i1fG6
http://pastebin.com/ts1Cb7nC
http://pastebin.com/Ea8GGnTF
So there's a bit more to it than that one function..

[Jake94]

Thanks , and I'll have to check out those links. I already looked over it, and I'll have to try it using blender animations. I'll mark this as solved for now.