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Using Third Party Libraries

Last post 11/16/2007 5:11 PM by Super Software. 12 replies.
  • 11/16/2007 6:44 AM

    Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote

    Hello,

    First post on the forum....very exciting stuff you have here.

    We use third party USB I/O hardware along with managed code(C#). This allows us to output analog and digital I/O signals from a computer. To do this we compile a library / .dll into our existing applications (C#). I'm wondering if it is possible to do the same with XNA? The goal is something similar to what is already being done with things like third party wireless steering wheels, controllers’, etc.

    We may not be able to compile this library statically meaning we need to load a .dll file along with the XNA project files into the xbox 360...is this possible?

    Regards,

    Christian

     

    Christian

    Developer
    www.freedomworks.ca
  • 11/16/2007 8:48 AM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote
    XNA is just another .NET library so yes, on the PC, you can use any third part libraries you would like. The restriction is only on the Xbox 360 as to what you have access to being the Compact Framework doesn't have all the same namespaces and classes as the desktop CLR.
    nickgravelyn.com | twitter.com/nickgravelyn
  • 11/16/2007 10:11 AM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote

    Nick,

    This is very good news, thanks for the help.  Using the compact framework is not a problem.

    One follow-up question.

    As I mentioned we may not be able to always compile a library statically, meaning we need to add a couple third party DLL's along with the XNA project. Is this a complicated process?

    Regards,

    Christian

    Christian

    Developer
    www.freedomworks.ca
  • 11/16/2007 11:15 AM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote
    Not sure if I completely understand. If you have a DLL file, in VC# Express you can just right click and hit Add Reference. Then browse for the DLL and you're all set.
    nickgravelyn.com | twitter.com/nickgravelyn
  • 11/16/2007 11:28 AM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote

    Nick,

    Not having worked with the Xbox 360 I was concerned about loading dll's libraries outside of the pre-defined XNA classes. I'm sure there is some Compact Framework limitation but overall it would seem that this is a non-issue.

    I thank you again...your comments have been very helpful.

    Best Regards,

    Christian

    Developer
    www.freedomworks.ca
  • 11/16/2007 11:33 AM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote
    Also not that if the intent of your library is the 3rd party USB stuff and other controllers then there is no point in attempting to run this on the 360 as it simply won't work. You have no access to any external hardware on the 360 unless its a fully certified XInput controller.

    In addition a librry such as this sounds like it may not be 100% C# - if there is any unmanaged code involved then again it won't run on the 360.

    Play Kissy Poo - a game for 4 year olds on Xbox and windows
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  • 11/16/2007 11:45 AM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote

    ZMan,

    Thanks for the update. I just posted in the general section of the forum this exact question. We are looking to output bi-polar analog data. It would seem that we can NOT use our existing device because it is not a certified XInput controller.

    Can you make any recommendations as to how we start down the path of XInput certification or maybe how we can track down existing devices?

    Cheers! 

    Christian

    Developer
    www.freedomworks.ca
  • 11/16/2007 1:56 PM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote
    I suggest you stick to Windows for this one.

    The Xbox is predominantly a closed platform. Custom controllers are a big complicated mess even for huge publishers and developers (see the whole Guitar Hero wireless guitar controller debacle). Windows is wide open; do whatever you like. If your game (or whatever it is) is good enough on Windows, you can talk with a publisher to work through these sorts of issues with Microsoft.
    Brandon Bloom
    Software Design Engineer
    XNA Platform and Tools
  • 11/16/2007 2:18 PM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote
    It is not currently possible to deploy 3rd party DLLs into the Xbox 360.  Based on what you are attempting, you will need to either stick with Windows, or convince the ISV to provide you a version that can deploy to the Xbox 360.
    http://letskilldave.com http://twitter.com/letskilldave
  • 11/16/2007 4:32 PM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote

    David,

    We are currently working with a large developer / publisher. We are working on a prototype device and were hoping to start some tests using XNA before moving forward with a full-blown Xbox 360 developer’s kit.

    Any recommendations on how we might proceed with XNA or should we jump right into 360 dev kits?

    Regards,

     

    Christian

    Developer
    www.freedomworks.ca
  • 11/16/2007 4:48 PM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote
    I would just suggest doing all your testing on Windows where you can use all the existing drivers and libraries you have. That way you don't have to get the full blown dev-kit.
    nickgravelyn.com | twitter.com/nickgravelyn
  • 11/16/2007 5:00 PM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote
    Super Software:

    We are currently working with a large developer / publisher. We are working on a prototype device and were hoping to start some tests using XNA before moving forward with a full-blown Xbox 360 developer’s kit.

    Any recommendations on how we might proceed with XNA or should we jump right into 360 dev kits?



    If you already have a publisher relationship, you should discuss this with your Microsoft account manager. You will definately need a commercial relationship to develop custom hardware for Xbox, and public forums are the wrong place to talk about that. Plus I don't actually know anything about how that side of things works, but your account manager will be able to point you in the right direction.
    XNA Framework Developer - blog - homepage
  • 11/16/2007 5:11 PM In reply to

    Re: Using Third Party Libraries

    Reply Quote

    Guys

    Shawn makes a good point about talking to Microsoft. I will sign off for now and thank you for your comments they have been helpful.

    Cheers!

    Christian

    Developer
    www.freedomworks.ca
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