With recent advancements in programmable 3D rendering hardware, game developers can create engines capable of making complete outdoor landscapes. Many of today's popular games include entire outdoor environments and making these environments realistic and fast is a challenge for even the best programmers.
Real-Time 3D Terrain Engines Using C++ and DirectX is written to teach users how to design a complete 3D game engine for outdoor environments using hardware-accelerated shaders in DirectX and C++. Covering everything from the fundamentals of DirectX 9, and creating realistic weather effects, to advanced terrain geometry management, the book works through the complete construction of a robust outdoor game engine.
This is a practical reference for any programmer tasked with creating a realistic outdoor environment.
Part I A Foundation in 3D
Part II Introduction to Terrain Systems
Part III Extending the Engine