CGProShop - HLSL Shader Creation 1: HLSL Fundamentals

In the first of our Advanced, 3 DVD series on HLSL Shader writing within 3dsmax, Ben Cloward will give you an understanding of what a HLSL shader is. How a shader can be created with free software, edited and then displayed within 3dsmax. Fundamental programming concepts such as Data Types, Structs and Functions.

How to create a shader GUI, the basic framework of a HLSL shader and much much more. By the close of the DVD, Ben will have you writing your own basic HLSL shaders.

This DVD is an ideal introduction to the world of HLSL shader writing for real-time GPU based shaders. An understanding of basic programming concepts and 3D math is useful.

Main topics covered:

CH 01: What is HLSL?
Ben explains what HLSL is and why its useful to learn how to use it.

CH 02: The Graphics Pipeline
Then he gives a run through of a typical pipeline on current video cards. Explaining where the different elements of HLSL shaders come in to play.

CH 03: Shader Writing Setup
Ben then shows how to setup 3dsmax and 3rd party software to create an intuitive and fast shader development environment.

CH 04: Basic Programming: Data Types
Now we look at some of the fundamentals concepts of programming in HLSL. Ben starts with Data Types

CH 05: Basic Programming: Structs
Then he moves on to explain Structs .

CH 06: Basic Programming: Functions
And Ben wraps up this section by looking at how Functions work in HLSL.

CH 07: FX Framework: The User Interface
HLSL shaders have a standard framework in which they should be created. This is known as the FX Framework. Here Ben explain the GUI elements of that framework.

CH 08: FX Framework: Input & Output Structs
We then look at the Input and Output Structs of the FX Framework.

CH 09: FX Framework: Vertex & Pixel Shaders
Then we look at the main "meat" of the FX Framework, the Vertex and Pixel Shaders.

CH 10: FX Framework: Techniques & Passes
And we finish this section by exploring Techniques and Passes.

CH 11: Creating Simple Shaders
With the FX Framework under our belt we now have the tools to attempt creating simple shaders. Here Ben shows you how to create a very simple shader to get the ball rolling.

CH 12: A Diffuse Shading Model
And we complete the DVD by looking at how we can simulate Diffuse lighting in a shading model . Then Ben shows us how to implement this in our simple shader. We now have our first functional HLSL shader.