We provide a general framework and indicate relations between the notions of transfinite diameter, homogeneous transfinite diameter, and weighted transfinite diameter for sets in ℂ^{$N$}. An ingredient is a formula of Rumely (A Robin formula for the Fekete–Leja transfinite diameter,$Math. Ann.$$337$(2007), 729–738) which relates the Robin function and the transfinite diameter of a compact set. We also prove limiting formulas for integrals of generalized Vandermonde determinants with varying weights for a general class of compact sets and measures in ℂ^{$N$}. Our results extend to certain weights and measures defined on cones in ℝ^{$N$}.