Best DirectX Software Programming Books of 2025

The "New York City SHSAT: 1,200+ Practice Questions" is an excellent resource for students preparing for the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) in New York City. The book offers over 1,200 practice questions, including reading comprehension and grid-in math practice, as well as detailed answer explanations to help students understand how to approach even the toughest questions. With two full-length practice tests, students can simulate a real test-taking experience and build confidence in their abilities. Additionally, the book offers access to live and online classes, making it a well-rounded resource for independent study or tutoring. Overall, this book is a valuable tool for students looking to succeed on the SHSAT and gain admission to a top NYC high school.

Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in the field. This third edition has been completely rewritten, providing updated coverage of key concepts, algorithms, technologies, and applications. The book covers both the principles and the mathematics underlying computer graphics, making it an essential reference for both practitioners and students. The text is presented in full color, with exercises, programming problems, and hands-on projects to reinforce topics. This book is a valuable addition to any 3D graphic design book collection and is highly recommended for those interested in modern approaches and current computer graphics practice.

This book is a comprehensive guide to programming interactive computer graphics, with a focus on game development using DirectX 12. It covers fundamental tasks in Direct3D, modern special effects, and techniques such as hardware tessellation, ambient occlusion, and character animation. The book also includes a DVD with source code and images from the book. The author uses new Direct12 features to reduce CPU overhead and increase scalability across multiple CPU cores. Overall, Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 12 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in game development and computer graphics programming.

The Mathematics for 3D Game Programming and Computer Graphics, Third Edition, is a comprehensive guide that covers the mathematical concepts necessary for developing 3D computer graphics and game engines. The book starts with basic concepts such as vector geometry and linear algebra and progresses to more advanced topics like illumination and visibility determination. The author, Eric Lengyel, ensures that the reader is not forced to endure gaps in the theory by providing derivations of key results. The third edition has updated illustrations, shader code, and expanded topics. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for professionals in the gaming industry.

This Open Access book is a must-read for those interested in real-time rendering. Ray Tracing Gems II is a practical guide to mastering the new capabilities of current and future GPUs with the latest graphics APIs, focusing on ray tracing. With contributions from industry experts and case studies from developers and studios, this book covers the latest techniques for developing real-time applications in multiple domains. The book offers guidance, advice, and best practices for rendering applications with various GPU-based ray tracing APIs such as DirectX Raytracing and Vulkan Ray Tracing, making it an essential resource for game and graphics developers seeking to leverage the latest hardware and software tools for real-time rendering and ray tracing.

Ray Tracing Gems is an essential guide for developers who want to create real-time applications with ray tracing as a core component. The book covers the latest techniques and best practices for rendering applications and provides key building blocks for game developers, architects, and visualizers. The experts in rendering explain everything from basic techniques to advanced capabilities of current and future hardware. This book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to leverage the latest APIs and GPU technology for real-time rendering and ray tracing.

This book is an excellent resource for those interested in game programming using Visual Basic. Contrary to popular belief, Visual Basic can be used to create great games, and this book shows readers how to do so. The book covers a range of topics, from theory to hands-on exercises, and includes the development of complete games such as a 3D arcade game and a multiplayer space combat game. The author, Jon Harbour, is an experienced game programmer and has written on various game-related subjects. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to combine the power of Visual Basic with DirectX to create amazing games.

ShaderX3 is a comprehensive collection of ready-to-use techniques, innovative approaches, and practical tools for shader programming in DirectX and OpenGL. The book is a must-have reference for anyone involved in high-end graphics and game development. The articles were written by industry experts and edited by shader programming experts, making it an excellent resource for both new and experienced programmers. Wolfgang, the editor, is a graphics programming guru who is active in several advisory boards in the industry. Overall, ShaderX3 is an essential book for anyone who wants to master shader programming and stay up-to-date with the latest advances in DirectX, OpenGL, and graphics cards.

The book "Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 11" by Frank Luna is a comprehensive guide to programming interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on game development using DirectX 11. This book is ideal for intermediate level programmers interested in the intricacies of DirectX, providing practical instruction for performing common tasks within this popular Microsoft Windows based graphics API. The author explores the newest developments that come with this edition of DirectX, covering 3D lighting, texturing, reflections, animation, and other vital elements. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to enhance their skills in game programming.

This book, Direct3D SHADERX: Vertex & Pixel Shader Tips and Techniques, provides a comprehensive guide to specialized vertex and pixel shader programming tricks from industry experts. Focusing on Direct3D 8.x, author Wolfgang F. Engel shares his addiction to game programming and his expertise in vertex and pixel shader programming. This book is a valuable resource for game developers looking to enhance their skills in Direct3D software programming. Overall, it offers a unique and in-depth look at Direct3D and is highly recommended for those looking to expand their knowledge in this area.