Microsoft« DirectX« 8.1 is a major release primarily for graphics. It includes new tools, new features for graphics and Microsoft DirectShow«, and enhancements for Microsoft DirectInput« and DirectPlay«.
For information about what's new for Microsoft Visual Basic«, see What's New in DirectX 8.1.
New Tools
AppWizard. This tool provides an application wizard for creating a DirectX application with any combination of DirectX components. This tool is installed during the software development kit (SDK) install and can be accessed within Microsoft Visual Studio« when creating a new application. For more information, see AppWizard.
Error Lookup Tool. Use this tool to take the hexadecimal error codes and look up a text-based error message. This tool is installed as part of the SDK install and can be accessed from Start, Programs, Microsoft DirectX 8.1 SDK, DirectX Utilities, DirectX Error Lookup.
New Features in DirectX Graphics
Expanded pixel shader functionality with new version 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.
Expanded the functionality of the Direct3DX (D3DX) utility library for meshes, textures, bump mapping, textures, and quaternions.
MeshView. This tool provides an easy way to load, view, and modify meshes, and generally exercise D3DX functionality on progressive meshes. For more information about the tool, see Mesh View Help.
A new screen saver sample is included that is built on the screen saver sample framework. The new framework includes support for multiple monitors.
Added new samples.
Reorganized the documentation into a Reference and Programming Guide. Expanded the Shaders and Effects sections.
For more information, see What's New in Graphics or see each of the components.
New Features in DirectShow
This section describes DirectShow features that are new in DirectX 8.1, as well as features that are available only in Microsoft Windows« XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional.
What's New for Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional?
Microsoft TV Technologies (Broadcast Driver Architecture)
Video Mixing Renderer Filter
Other New Filters for Windows XP
New MPEG-2 Transport and Program Stream Support
Windows XP Support in Header Files
New Samples for Windows XP-based Applications
What's New in DirectX 8.1?
New and Improved Samples in DirectX 8.1
Updated Documentation
Modified SampleGrabber Filter Source Code
Run-Time Improvements
Revised GraphEdit Application
For more information, see What's New in DirectShow.
New in DirectInput
Version 8.1 primarily includes performance improvements for DirectInput. For more information, see What's New in DirectInput.
New in DirectPlay
Version 8.1 primarily includes performance improvements for DirectPlay. For more information, see What's New in DirectPlay.
New Features in DirectX 8.0
Complete integration of DirectDraw and Direct3D
Microsoft DirectDraw« and Microsoft Direct3D« are merged into a single DirectX Graphics component. The application programming interface (API) has been extensively updated to make it even easier to use and to support the latest graphics hardware.
DirectMusic and DirectSound more integrated
Microsoft DirectMusic« and Microsoft DirectSound« are more tightly integrated than with DirectX 7.0. Wave files or resources can now be loaded by the DirectMusic loader and played through the DirectMusic performance, synchronized with MIDI notes.
DirectPlay updated
The DirectPlay component has been extensively updated to increase its capabilities and improve its ease-of-use. In particular, DirectPlay now supports voice communication between players.
DirectInput updated
DirectInput introduces one major new feature: action mapping. Action mapping enables you to establish a connection between input actions and input devices, which does not depend on the existence of particular device objects. It simplifies the input loop and reduces the need for custom game drivers, custom device profilers, and custom configuration of user interfaces in games.
DirectShow included in DirectX
DirectShow is now part of DirectX and has been updated for this release.
Debug build available
You can use the DirectX Control Panel Application to switch between the debug and retail builds of DirectInput, Direct3D, and DirectMusic. To enable this feature, select Debug when you install the SDK. This option installs both debug and retail dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) on your system. The Retail option installs only the retail DLLs.
