So that'how those 3DS things work
I tend to agree with the critics, but even so I think I will look forward to seeing the current Pirates of the Caribbean flic in 3D (no one's expecting cinema verity from that source).
I tend to agree with the critics, but even so I think I will look forward to seeing the current Pirates of the Caribbean flic in 3D (no one's expecting cinema verity from that source).
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Sweet Home 3D
Finally, I may have found an application which is just right for what I want - Sweet Home 3D. Don't get me wrong about the previous applications - they are very powerful when used properly, but Blender has a very steep learning curve, and Sketchup drives me crazy when I discover the bench I thought was on the ground is actually a metre above it! I like to create 3D versions of the buildings and locations that I set my web comics in, so that when I draw the scenes everything is in the "right location". But - most every application I've used is a nightmare to learn. I've tried Blender, Sketchup, and a few home design apps that turned up in the local libraries (and of course when I create comics using Second Life, I try to use the in-world building if I can't scout a location).
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Onverse
Thought I'd look at Onverse, which is billed as "...a free online virtual world full of fun people and cool things to do. Unlike 2D social networks that simply give you a profile page, we give you a free 3D home, clothing, furniture and some tools to get you started. It's your new virtual life in a massive virtual world".
I found the controls very easy to use and the the environment flowed easily, and background sounds made a big difference as well. Not much you can do to customise your avatar just yet, and most activities look like they may be geared towards use of in-world currency.
It makes me think of Gaia Online but with better graphics.
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3DEE
You ought to know know that I like to try different virtual worlds. Well I've just had a bit of a play with 3DEE.
Not exactly either Second Life or There, but it doesn't seem to try to be. You download and install the client, and can then login as a Tourist. If you like it you can later become a citizen. Once you're a citizen you have greater choice of your avatar (all pre-set) and can visit more than the town square.
I decided to become a free citizen and became a duck, checking out Architecture and Animal worlds. It was simple and fun to look around. Occasionally other avatars would pop into existence, but few stayed. I suspect that as it all seems to be based in the Netherlands, everyone else is busy in the real world.
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Ancient Rome on Google Earth
I just discovered that Google Earth now has an entire layer which shows ancient Rome circa 320 CE, in which you can fly around the city and even go inside to look at the buildings! It's something to do with the Rome Reborn project.
I've downloaded Google Earth but haven't figured out how to get the same results as above yet. This is just perfect for my Tales of the Gallae strip!
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Two Hat Trick
Laurel made two hats today at the Auric Sandbox. This is significant, not because they are marvels of simulation and accuracy, but because they're the first real attachments I've ever made that could be used for the purpose built. The 2nd hat is a bit bright (it used blue fusion texture). Both just use two prims - the one above is a hemisphere on top of a ring, and the other hat is two tapered cylinders.
I find building in 3D a little frustrating. I've used programs like Blender and Sketchup outside SL and I always have the same problem in interpreting visual cues - everything looks right until I rotate the viewpoint and discover that the bits are all out of synch in one dimension or another!
Oh well, 'tis the only way to learn (now to learn how to add a hat band)!
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There
Not that I'm dissatisfied with Second Life, but I thought I'd check out There (as Elsie_Broek).
Very odd. After 2nd Life this seemed amazingly simple. Just like in SL, the key to this is the interface. Unlike SL it's much web based with streamlined graphics. The controls take a little getting used to unlike SL, you can't pan vertically (though you do have views from above and from in front). Also unlike SL, everything you need to do (other than just wandering around) costs internal currency.
You get a first make-over free (haven't had one yet), but there after it costs. One of the great things about SL is the ability to change the appearance of your avatar easily. Part of that is the fact that there's heaps of free clothes and other items (ok, a lot of it's duplicated) out there, so you can mix and match and play with things pretty much as much as you like.
Very odd - it's like using a vector graphics editor after only using bitmap editors - neither is "better", just focussed on different ways of doing things. There seems to be for folk who have disposable income ($US 5 = $T 1800) and don't want to "fiddle" much with their stuff - could be wrong here, as all this is from two sessions totalling not more than 45 minutes (including a visit to Coca Cola Metro!).
Probably won't go There much, just went for curiosity. Whereas with SL, well I'm off there in a few moments - I have friends there.
Kevin also pointed out something called IMVU which apparently is an avatar instant messaging system. Looks like an even simpler thing again.
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3D Pegasus
I installed some free software off a magazine disk that allows one to create 3D photos.
The above is a shot of Pegasus in 3D. To view it properly you need to have special glasses, with a different colour on each side. I happened to have such a pair from a book on 3D. If you don't, then download the template below, print it and make your own.
reduced size - click on image for full size version
A daft gimmick, ain't it, but fun? 
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Expression Facial Animation Project
I'm at NUSA, and was trying to find a link for Brian to Synfig, an "industrial-strength vector-based 2D animation software package", when I came across the Expression Facial Animation Project!
The image at left is from the home page of this. Looks sort of creepy (and also like it was Drawn by Richard Corben) but... ...gasp! The home page says that the purpose of the project is a " [r]eal time facial animation package based on muscle model of the face. Includes basic scripting language, full API, animation compositing, tools for creating and exporting muscles in 3D studio max."
Don't have 3D studio max but I do have a converter program. Apparently you can also use it to read text out (asuming you have one of those text to speech engines) though I'm not sure I'd want to watch a moving head like this on on my PC.
Whatever will they think of next?
The image at left is from the home page of this. Looks sort of creepy (and also like it was Drawn by Richard Corben) but... ...gasp! The home page says that the purpose of the project is a " [r]eal time facial animation package based on muscle model of the face. Includes basic scripting language, full API, animation compositing, tools for creating and exporting muscles in 3D studio max."Don't have 3D studio max but I do have a converter program. Apparently you can also use it to read text out (asuming you have one of those text to speech engines) though I'm not sure I'd want to watch a moving head like this on on my PC.
Whatever will they think of next?
Last week
After Friday I stayed home as much as I could. I stayed off the net, other than checking for some emails I was expecting. Didn't go out until Wednesday. Not been feeling happy, not been feeling particularly sane.
Wednesday
I had to go to uni this day, so I planned to do other things on the way. Only one problem, my car wouldn't start. I phoned the NMRA and the repair guy came out and got it going again (I think mostly, the battery was flat). But he also noticed all the smoke due to the cracked head, pointed out the obvious (too much smoke + too little power when only 3 cylinders going) and also said that if I wasn't careful, I'd be pulled over by the RTA and have a defect notice placed on the car, and also be fined $200!
Just what I was worried about, and it seems that lack of water leaking is no indication one way or another. He advised me not to drive it on the road. But I had no option, and ten minutes later I drove past his parked car, while he was filling out forms. Hmmm.
I got away, and did all the tasks except get to the uni Honours Seminars (which was why I was going there in the first place). Oh well. But, I got: dog bones for Pegasus; my license renewed; bought pet food; paid some bills; and did a "library run". I also finally got through to a local health service to get an appointment with a dietician; and got through to my endocrinologist's secretary. I needed a referral so I got an appointment with my GP on Friday.
Didn't get home until 10pm, as I was in the Huxley Library doing web searches.
Thursday
Drove to Teralba and caught the train into town. I had one appointment for tarot readings - the first in six weeks. Liz suggested that I drop back to fortnightly. I've agreed for now, but lack the resources right now to advertise.
But I also had a big sinus headache for most of the day. I felt "shaky" and ready to drop. In fact I'm glad I only had one reading. Kept taking generic aspirin for it, and went to bed early. Not before playing with DOGA - a 3D graphics program. I made models of the spaceships in "Future Imperfect". Very pleased with that.
