Directx8 2D Engine anyone?

Hi, im writing a space trading/strategy game. Ive wrestled with 3D and meshes, camera etc... but im lacking a good 2D engine.

If anyone wants to help out with my game and has a Dx8 2D engine id love them forever. I know you probably think im a sponge, but ive got a good game going here and im having to do everything (poor me [:D])

I'll even create a couple of meshes for you using 3D max for your programs if your engines decent enough. I know a lot of you dont have 3D Max so it could be useful.

Anyway, the things i would like an engine to do is:

1. Allow animations.
2. Allow alpha map stuff.
3. Or any thing useful.

And to finish, a couple of questions:

1. I want to create an extra light which will be attached to the front of a comet mesh, i can create the light but once its created i cant move it? Also i cant seem to create any color lights, just red, green or blue. Is there a way to do this?

2. I know what alpha maps are, but i dont know how to actually use them. I know you can embed them in textures too, i have the software but i dont know how again [:(]

3. When using DrawPrimitiveUP method to draw linelists, can i use an alpha property so i can make them translucent? (Green grid overlayed on solar system).

4. Does DrawPrimitiveUP use actual screen co'ordinates ? What happens if i want to draw a 3D line in space?

I know im asking a fair bit, but any help is appreciated. I can trade at the moment, but im tarting it up!
Cheers in advance.

Well m8, if you can't find someone with a great 2D RPG engine for you then you might have a look around on the net. There are bound to be alot good and free ;) 2d engines out there.
You might enhance them to your own taste or assemble your own one and using it as a learning tool.

As for your Q's ... srry m8... am not that far engaged in DirectX yet :(.

Greets,
Breezer

If you write up a complete spec of what you want from this "2d engine" (which is a very vauge term) I can probably help you out. Send your spec to a-matto@microsoft.com

And have you considered using DX9? Most things stay the same so migrating is not a big issue during design time. However, if halfway through you decide you want to use some of the new features in 9 it will be a reall headache to convert the code.