Need to get started in 3D programming

Hi all,
I'm anxious to get into 3D programming. I've recently got my head around 2D programming and 2D rotation etc. The trouble is I just can't find a tutorial that doesn't just throw a whole load of complex mathematical calculations in my face. Sure you need these calculations but it would be good if they came with an explanation :confused: Also, the tutorial I'm looking for doesn't necessarily have to be bound to just one programming language. I just want to know the concepts so that I can then implement those concepts in any language.

The vast majority of tutorials that I've seen so far are relating to DX and OGL but I just want the maths so that I could maybe make a wire frame box rotate etc. I just want to get started...I'm sure somebody out there was once like me and didn't know too much about it ;) so please give me a helping hand :D

Thanks :)

Visual Basic Graphics Programming will walk you through the 3d stuff without much of a problem. In my opinion, its 50 bucks well spent. Most of the other owners of this book will probably agree with me.

Z.

Who's scaring you about math for 3d programming, sure you'll need it when making complex 3d games.

Quote: "I just want the maths so that I could maybe make a wire frame box rotate etc."

To display a box in wireframe, it's a simple as "Device.SetRenderState D3D_Wireframe" - or something like that, can't rmember now :) and to rotate it is something simple too.

Thanks guys. Mman, thanks for the suggestion but I'm want the maths, not silly precreated functions made by microsoft - I think you should know the theory of how this stuff works before making it easy on yourself and using DirectX or OpenGL.

On the flip side fo that argument, there is no reason to make it hard on yourself either.

Z.

Two sources I use:
Flipcode - C++ stuff, but the Maths is there.
DirectX 7/8 For Visual Basic - For code and general how to do stuff. Less of the maths stuff though. Get MSDN or the DirectX 8 SDK if you want to get into matrices operations and stuff. If you want to get into the Math of it all, use C++ cos VB aint fast enough.

Hope that helps.

FJ