Alternatives to multiple sprite batches for achieving 2D particle system depth
- by Ergwun
In my 2D XNA game, I render all my sprites with a single sprite batch using SpriteSortMode.BackToFront and BlendState.AlphaBlend.
I'm adding a particle system based on the App Hub particles sample. Since this uses
SpriteSortMode.Deferred and BlendState.Additive, I will need to have two SpriteBatch.Begin / SpriteBatch.End pairs: one for 'regular' sprites, and one for particles.
In my top-down shooter, If I want to have explosions appear under planes, but above the ground, then I believe I will have to have three Begin/End pairs, first to draw everything under the explosions, then to draw the explosions, then to draw everything above the explosions. If I want to have particle effects at multiple different depths, then I'm going to need even more Begin/Endpairs.
This is all easy to code, but I'm wondering if there is an alternative way to handle this?
