Microsoft Corp. today announced broadened availability of the Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 application programming interface (API). The latest version of the Microsoft Windows® Gaming API delivers Microsoft"s powerful new High-Level Shader Language (HLSL) and features its most-advanced suite of design tools for the development of rich multimedia elements such as full-spectrum color graphics, video, 3-D animation and enhanced audio capabilities.
Developed by Microsoft, creators of Direct3D®, HLSL is a revolutionary industry innovation for multimedia developers and the key component of this latest DirectX 9.0 release. Based on the C programming language, HLSL introduces a developer-friendly programming environment that delivers simplicity and flexibility across the full range of 3-D graphics. HLSL facilitates every aspect of development, from the creation of vivid art and animation to effects programming. Compatible with all DirectX-compliant graphics processing units, HLSL allows developers to define a similar visual effect across the widest range of graphics hardware. HLSL can be seamlessly integrated into the Visual Studio® IDE and complemented by enhancements to Microsoft"s current developer toolset to provide developers with even more power from an easier-to-use solution.