DirectX Software Development Kit (571 MB)

Microsoft's DirectX is a free API (Application Programming Interface) that gives multimedia applications the power to work in Windows-based computers. Games that run in the Windows operating system rely on DirectX because it provides an assortment of drivers and tools that are designed to optimize the game's use of the available peripherals in the target computer. For example, when a user plugs in a joystick that normally needs drivers to run, DirectX has a generic driver that the joystick can be used, so you can enjoy your favorite games with desired game controller too.

Direct3D 11 is out and ready for use by your game today to exploit the latest in video hardware features as well as the current generation machines. Microsoft has been continuously evolving DirectX to implement latest graphics technology features and to support wide varieties of games, Display devices. After making DirectX 10 available for windows Vista here is the next version DirectX 11 with Direct3D 11. The new version of DirectX, the software behind the eye-popping 3-D visuals and immersive sound effects found in many of today's PC games.

DirectX 11 features include:

1. It's designed to be more efficient, leverage the power of today's multicore processors.
2. It's providing support for sophisticated shading and texturing techniques such as tessellation.
3. Results smoother 3-D animation, and graphics more lifelike and nuanced than ever before.

DirectX 11 Updates include:

1. High Quality HDR Post Processing.
2. Improved Tone Mapping.
3. Parallax Occlusion Mapping.
4. Improved Water Rendering.
5. Real-Time Local Reflections.
6. Contact Shadows (SSDO).
7. New Advanced Graphics Options.
8. Realistic Shadows with Variable Penumbra.
9. Improved Multi-GPU Support.
10. Particle Motion Blur and Shadows.