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Difference between revisions of "Glossary:DirectX"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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DirectX is a collection of API's for Windows that allows programs to interact directly with hardware. For most PC gamers, it is one of those things that most games require you to install before running the game. Most PC games require some version of DirectX to run.
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{{Infobox non-game
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|cover        = Microsoft DirectX logo.svg
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|developers  =
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{{Infobox game/row/developer|Microsoft}}
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|release dates =
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{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 1995}}
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|winehq      =
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|wikipedia    = DirectX
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}}
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DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) created by Microsoft for [[Microsoft Windows]].
  
 
==Updating DirectX==
 
==Updating DirectX==
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To obtain the latest DirectX, download the [http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=35 DirectX Web Updater] and run it. It will ensure you have the latest version of DirectX 9.0.
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To obtain the latest DirectX, make sure to have all the related [https://support.microsoft.com/kb/179113/ Windows updates]. For legacy optional components for older games install [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35&44F86079-8679-400C-BFF2-9CA5F2BCBDFC=1 DirectX End-User Runtimes]. <br />
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DirectX redistributable packages that come with many games should then become redundant.
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NOTE: DirectX 10 is built into both Windows Vista and 7, and does not need to be updated. DirectX 11 is built into Windows 7, but can be installed on Vista via [http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=3274 this update.] Neither DirectX 10 or 11 can be installed on Windows XP.
 
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==Old Games on Vista/7 Fix==
 
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One chief problem that PC gamers run into these days (relating to DirectX)is trying run older games on Windows Vista/7. Because Vista and Windows 7 run DirectX 10, some important .DLL files may not be installed, leading to errors when trying to run these games. If a game is complaining about a missing .dll file and you are running Windows Vista/7, follow these instructions:
 
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1. Write down the name of the .dll the games says is missing.
 
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2. Navigate to C:/Windows/system32.
 
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3. Locate the .dll that has the same name as the missing .dll but with an additional x in the name. (I.e. if the game can't find dplay.dll, navigate here and find dplayx.dll.)
 
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4. Make a copy of that .dll, and rename the copy to the initial .dll that was missing. (I.e make a copy of dplayx.dll and rename the copy dplay.dll).  
 
  
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With any luck, the game will see now be able to find the .dll and play normally.
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== Components ==
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=== Direct3D ===
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Direct3D renders 3D graphics whilst prioritising performance. It is the main competitor against [[Glossary:OpenGL|OpenGL]].
  
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NOTE: Be sure to create a copy of the .dll and rename the copy. If you rename the original, other games may cease to work.
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=== Direct2D ===
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Direct2D renders 2D graphics and vectors. It can interoperate with Direct3D.
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=== DirectWrite ===
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DirectWrite renders text.
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=== DirectCompute ===
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DirectCompute supports general-purpose computing on graphics processing units.
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=== DirectX Media ===
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DirectX Media includes DirectAnimation, DirectShow, DirectX Transformation and Direct3D Retained Mode as-well as  DirectX plugins for audio signal processing and DirectX Video Acceleration.
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=== DirectX Graphics Infrastructure ===
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DirectX Graphics Infrastructure provides a mapping between graphics APIs and the graphics kernel.
  
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== Complementing Software ==
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=== DirectSetup ===
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Checks for the newest version of DirectX and installs the latest version.
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=== DirectX Diagnostics ===
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A tool for diagnosing and generating reports on components related to DirectX.
  
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<references/>
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[[Category:Guide]]
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[[Category:Tip]]
 

Revision as of 05:03, 9 June 2019

DirectX
DirectX cover
Developers
Microsoft
Release dates
Windows September 1995
DirectX at Wikipedia

DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) created by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows.

Updating DirectX

To obtain the latest DirectX, make sure to have all the related Windows updates. For legacy optional components for older games install DirectX End-User Runtimes.
DirectX redistributable packages that come with many games should then become redundant.

Components

Direct3D

Direct3D renders 3D graphics whilst prioritising performance. It is the main competitor against OpenGL.

Direct2D

Direct2D renders 2D graphics and vectors. It can interoperate with Direct3D.

DirectWrite

DirectWrite renders text.

DirectCompute

DirectCompute supports general-purpose computing on graphics processing units.

DirectX Media

DirectX Media includes DirectAnimation, DirectShow, DirectX Transformation and Direct3D Retained Mode as-well as DirectX plugins for audio signal processing and DirectX Video Acceleration.

DirectX Graphics Infrastructure

DirectX Graphics Infrastructure provides a mapping between graphics APIs and the graphics kernel.

Complementing Software

DirectSetup

Checks for the newest version of DirectX and installs the latest version.

DirectX Diagnostics

A tool for diagnosing and generating reports on components related to DirectX.