Using DirectX for form GUIs?

[DigiRev]

Is it possible to use DirectX for a form GUI? For example, command buttons, text displays, etc.?

[dglienna]

nope. i don't think so. what you draw in dx stays in dx. i don't know if you can have interaction in dx with vb controls. i've never seen it at least.

[Jacob Roman]

What you do is create your own controls in DirectX. You do some code to draw a picture of your object, like for example, your very own look of a command button (which can be anything you want, whether in 2D or even 3D). Next you do some code to find out where your mouse is using DirectInput in order to see if it's within the boundries of your new command button. In 3D you would have to use the D3DXVec3Project to convert the 3D coordinates to screen coordinates and test that. Next, you use DirectInput to see if the user clicked within that boundry. If he has, you make it animate looking as though you pushed down on the button, and animate when the user releases the button. Then you do some code for whatever action that button does.