The Direct3D Transformation Pipeline

Introduction

This white paper provides a technical explanation for Direct3D application developers on how to set the parameters of the Direct3D Transformation Pipeline by the direct manipulation of Direct3D matrices.

Overview

Direct3D uses three transformations to change your 3D model coordinates into pixel coordinates (screen space). These transformations are world transform, view transform, and projection transform.

World transform controls how model coordinates are transformed into world coordinates. World transform can include translations, rotations, and scalings, but it does not apply to lights. For more information on working with world transforms, see World Transform.

View transform controls the transition from world coordinates into "camera space," determining camera position in the world. For an example of working with view transforms, see View Transform.

Projection transform changes the geometry from camera space into "clip space" and applies perspective distortion. The term "clip space" refers to how the geometry is clipped to the view volume during this transform. For an example of working with projection transforms, see Projection Transform.

Finally, the geometry in clip space is transformed into pixel coordinates (screen space). This transformation is controlled by the viewport settings.

Clipping and transformin