01 What is HLSL? - HLSL Shader Creation 1 - HLSL Shader Fundamentals

In this first chapter, Ben explains what HLSL is and why its useful to learn how to use it.

In the first of our Advanced series on HLSL Shader writing within 3ds Max, Ben Cloward will give you an understanding of what an HLSL shader is, how a shader can be created with free software, edited, and then displayed within 3ds Max. Fundamental programming concepts such as Data Types, Structs and Functions will be covered. How to create a shader GUI, the basic framework of an HLSL FX shader and much more. By the close of the series, Ben will have you writing your own basic HLSL shaders.

This series 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.

This video series was first published in 2007. Although some of the material is out of date, almost all of the principles taught here are still valuable to learn and understand as foundation to learning to write shaders.

You can download the entire contents of the original DVD (including all of the shaders and content that go with it) at the following link:
https://www.bencloward.com/dvds/HLSL_...

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