DirectX: Advanced Graphics on Windows

The March 2009 DirectX SDK download contains the tools needed to build cutting-edge, media-rich, interactive applications. It includes runtimes, headers and libraries, samples, documentation, utilities, and support for C++ development. The March SDK also includes an update to the Technical Preview for Direct3D 11, the latest version of Direct3D that provides support for tessellation and general purpose GPU processing, as well as the Technical Preview for Direct2D and DirectWrite, the new Windows APIs for accelerated 2D rendering and font and text rendering. Further changes in the March SDK include improvements to the audio tools and the new XNA Math library.

With PDC 2008 came the announcement of two new graphics technologies for mainstream application developers: Direct2D, a high-performance vector graphics API built atop Direct3D 10.1, and DirectWrite, a ClearType and OpenType font management and layout API. For more information, check out our PDC 2008 Presentation and please visit the Learn page frequently for more updates.

New in the Direct November 2008 DirectX SDK is the Direct3D 11 Technical Preview for Windows Vista. Click here for in-depth guides, white papers, and other documentation on Direct3D 11 and other features currently in development from the DirectX team.

The presentations from the GDC 2008 developers conference, including audio recordings where possible, are now available on the Presentations page.