3D on Windows desktop (+ sources)

Merry Christmas dear Habravchane!

I want to selflessly share my modest project .

Key features:

• output 3D graphics (models, scenes) on the Windows desktop;
• go to screensaver and back;
• import models;
• installation of the last 3D frame picture desktop;

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Prehistory

The project was completed in September 2011, when the official website was ready, since then I have not remembered and have not engaged in the project at all.
There were two prerequisites for creation: the fact that this is possible and the fact that this is something amazing, I mean covering the desktop with a lively 3D picture, at first it fascinated me (especially the rotating tiger from DirectX lessons on a bright blue desktop background) , there is where fantasies roam, I thought. Of course, there are still enough ways to animate the desktop, but I haven’t seen solutions like mine.

Operating principle

If you describe the whole process, then everything is quite simple:

• getting the main window of the system (the lowest window in the hierarchy of desktop windows);
• initialization and output of 3D graphics on the main window;
• setting the transparency of the layers above the main window;
• and installing hooks on user actions on the desktop.

disadvantages

The only drawback due to which the solution could not be called correct is the output of 3D graphics on the desktop of the main window, which in principle is not intended for this.

I would like to warn that the program consumes a different amount of resources on different computers and operating systems, i.e. can use <1% CPU on one computer and> 40% on another, about the same configuration (best performance on Windows XP). Use sleep mode - double click on the tray icon.

Application

In addition to rendering the wallpaper from different angles of the 3D model, even with photos of relatives or a calendar card (yes yes, the calendar card that gave us the dear anatoly_rr for the new year), you can try to find several useful applications for such a solution, such as:

• displaying information of secondary importance, whether it be: a system for monitoring the house or the movement of trucks on the map;
• The output of the company logo in 3D on the screens in the office or store.

Import models

I did everything alone, including models, and of course not everyone can like them, I understand.
Importing your own model will not be difficult, especially if you own a 3D editor, yesterday you specially created a small manual (eng.) On importing a 3D model from 3Ds Max, there is also a video on youtube . There are several nuances, because, as you probably guessed, the shadows are not drawn on the fly, and the export occurs in the good old * .X file . If you have wallpapers, drop them, I will share them in a special section . Thanks for attention!

Links

Project website: michael.verhov.com/project/full3dwallpaper
Official: full3dwallpaper.com
GitHub: github.com/verhov/full3dwallpaper
Video a little bit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkVRyfxRGn0