Category: Code

"Seeing Double" Contest

Gamedev.net is hosting a [new contest].

“Create a game prototype based around two simultaneous views of the game world. These could be as simple as two simultaneous camera angles (forwards and backwards, side and top, etc), or could look at presenting different families of information about the game world, such as an infra-red or x-ray view, visualisation of sound or smell, or even things entirely specific to a fictional game world. The views do not have to be equal sizes, but both views should be presented to the player at the same time throughout gameplay, and the game design should favour a player who will make use of both displays equally (so both views must be equally useful – a minimap in the corner of a regular game display is probably not sufficient). Views should be primarily graphical; text is permitted provided it is not over-used (i.e. a simple text listing of health and position of monsters in the level will not be acceptable).”

I have an idea about creating a Pacific Northwest Salmon demo. You are a fish and you need to spawn. You navigate rivers using star positions while also battling upstream current. And if you happen to make it upstream, it’s spawning time!

Maya Personal Learning Edition

“[Maya Personal Learning Edition] is a special version of Maya® software, which provides free access to Maya for non-commercial use. It gives 3D graphics and animation students, industry professionals, and those interested in breaking into the world of computer graphics (CG) an opportunity to explore all aspects of the award-winning Maya Complete software in a non-commercial capacity.

Available for Windows® 2000/XP Professional and Mac® OS X operating systems.”

Run SUSE 10 with free VMWare player on Windows or Linux

Story originally from [KDE Developers] and OSNEWS].

Download the [Free VMWare Player].

“Announcing something which has been cooking already last year but got delayed by POTS bandwidth shortage over the holidays:

VMware released a player for free with which you can run pre-built virtual machines. Somehow their virtual machine center offers under “Novell” only SLES and NLD images. Puzzled I created an image which contains a standard KDE desktop installation of SUSE Linux 10.0 OSS, upgraded to KDE 3.5 including KOffice 1.4.2 excluding non-KDE applications. It’s a fully working installation so don’t forget to install and try some additional KDE applications – and to run the security update when you’re asked to. Eye-wink

You can download it from [developer.kde.org] archived either as 588 MB flavor for Microsoft Windows or 537 MB for Linux.”

And it works like a charm:

Half Life 2 Mod SDK

It’s amazing all the great stuff available on the net these days. The trick is you just have to know it’s there. For example, HL2 uses a product called Steam to keep the software patches up to date. In the Steam Tools section, you’ll see an option to install “Source SDK”, which is all the modding tools you’ll need to create your own HL2 mod and content. How cool is that!?

For community support and an online knowledgebase, please visit the [Valve Editing Resource Center (VERC)].

More resources:

  • [The Valve Developer Community]
  • [Valve Developer WIKI]
  • [HL2 SDK Reference Docs]
  • [My First HL2 MOD]
  • [HL2 MOD Tutorials]
  • [FacePoser]
    [2]

  • [PlanetHalfLife]

    • Flash Resources

    Jesse provided some [great resources] about how to get anything done in flash.

    ACTIONSCRIPTING

    TWEEN CLASSES

    MC
    Tween –     Updated to include;
    Flash 8 filters, onTweenUpdate, onTweenComplete and much more

    http://hosted.zeh.com.br/mctween/documentation.html

    Laco MC
    Tween –     very easy to use, but
    doesn’t include as much as the above. Much better examples of use though.

    http://www.laco.wz.cz/tween/

    http://laco.wz.cz/tween/?page=examples

    http://fluid.com/experiments/timecode/mx_time.html

    http://www.bdontwerp.nl/resources/classes/superease/demo/
    – [http://stimpson.flashvacuum.net/mt/]

    EXTENTIONS

    Flash
    Extensibility     – Extensions [
    these can save you a lot of time ]

    http://www.flashextensibility.com/

    Flash
    Guru Extensions

    http://www.flashguru.co.uk/extensions/

    TUTORIALS

    VIDEOS

    gotoAndLearn – VERY GOOD AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND TUTORIALS WITH FLA FILES
    INCLUDED

    http://www.gotoandlearn.com/

    TUTORIALS, SOURCE FILES

    Senolcular
    – All the above

    http://www.senocular.com/flash/

    Actionscript.org – has almost anything I could need

    http://www.actionscript.org/tutorials.shtml

    Kirupa – excellent tutorials

    http://www.kirupa.com/

    http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190937
    – [Useful Flash ActionScript Tutorials and Resources Thread]

    Were-Here
    –     Flash Community

    http://www.were-here.com/homepage/default.asp

    Ultrashock

    http://www.ultrashock.com/ – more advanced tutorials and information

    TONYPA – Extremely well thought out and paced tutorials with good
    examples – may be on the intermediate+ side.

    http://www.tonypa.pri.ee/tbw/index.html –
    tile based tutorials

    http://www.tonypa.pri.ee/vectors/index.html
    – vectors in Flash

    EML
    Labs     – Real World
    Flash advice

    http://www.emllabs.com/index.php

    Layer51:Prototype = newMethodsForBuiltInObjects(); >>> Advanced OOP deposit
    of code *****

    http://proto.layer51.com

    BIT-101
    Forum

    http://www.bit-101.com/forum/
    a good community like were-here but from http://www.bit-101.com/

    Various
    Links

    http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/flash/

    http://www.nwebb.co.uk/nw_htmlsite/?page=tutorials

    http://www.video-animation.com/flash3d_001.shtml
    – Flash 3D Tutorials (crappy site, useful info)

    http://www.actionscript.org/tutorials/advanced/Understanding_curves_and_control_point_placement/index.shtml

    – Understanding curves

    http://www.bestflashanimationsite.com/tutorials/2/
    – Pixel Fonts Explained

    FLASH 8

    EXAMPLES

    Senocular – Examples
    [WITH FLAS]     **

    http://www.senocular.com/pub/flash/8/index….php?f=tvstatic

    Franto – Collected
    Flash 8 examples by beta testers     **
    http://www.franto.com/blog2/collected-link…lstrom-examples

    Kirupa – Flash 8 Online
    Examples Roundup     *
    http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188316

    Andre Michelle – Flash8
    Experiments
    http://8ball.andre-michelle.com/lab/

    Flash Guru – Flash 8
    Examples
    http://www.flashguru.co.uk/maelstrom/


    TUTORIALS

    Kirupa – Useful Flash 8
    Tutorials and Resources
    http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190941

    http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190937
    (Flash 7)


    INFORMATION

    Ultrashock – Flash 8
    Forums
    http://forums.ultrashock.com/forums/forumd…?s=&forumid=120
    http://msn.ultrashock.com/
    – popular threads

    WEBCAM EXAMPLES

    ·
    Motion detection (great)

    ·
    Camera underwater (great)

    ·
    blendModes applied to
    video

    ·
    Interactive video with Flash8

    ·
    Camera activity

    ·

    Camera smoke

    ·
    Another Interactive camera

    ·
    Interactive piano

    ·
    Andy Warhol webcam

    ·
    Liquid video

    ·
    Flash 8 FLV Ripple Effect

    INSPIRATION

    INTERACTION DESIGN SITES

    http://www.asterikstudio.com/

    http://www.de-construct.com/

    http://kaledi.youki.be/

    http://www.designedge.sg/

    http://www.dc3e.com/

    http://www.crashshop.com/

    http://tngrm.com/

    http://www.leoburnett.ca/

    http://www.subdisc.com/

    http://amaztype.tha.jp/

    http://www.posttool.com/

    http://levitated.net/exhibit/index.html

    http://enjoygreenergrass.com/

    http://www.pixelranger.com/

    http://www.stenkat.com/

    http://marumushi.com/

    http://www.fluid.nl/

    http://www.webcreme.com/

    http://www.csl.sony.co.jp/person/rekimoto/

    http://www.crashmedia.com/

    INTERESTING USES OF FLASH

    http://www.vodafone.com/flash/futures/ –
    VODAFONE FUTURE SITE

    http://www.ikea.com/ms/sv_SE/kampanj/fy06_dromkok/dromkok.html
    – IKEA

    http://www.bit-101.com/

    http://faraday.physics.utoronto.ca/GeneralInterest/Harrison/Flash/#class_mech
    – PHYSICS FLASH ANIMATIONS

    http://www.flashearth.com/

    http://www.slideshowpro.net/index.php –
    Slideshow based on XML feed from Flickr Sets or any XML

    http://www.prinzmyshkin.com
    – page flip

    http://www.actionscripts.org/showMovie.php?id=459
    – tutorial of page flip

    http://specialized.com/bc/techlab_optics.jsp?a=b

    – some interesting animations

    http://www.marumushi.com/apps/flickrgraph/

    http://www.pianographique.net/

    http://www.billyharveymusic.com/

    http://www.cookie.pl/wwweng2.html

    http://www.mailorderchickens.org/

    SOFTWARE

    Flash
    Communication Server     – Let’s you
    run webcams and more

    http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashmediaserver/productinfo/features/

    Swift 3D – 3D vector graphics animation tool

    http://www.erain.com/products/swift3D/

    Projector/Standalone
    converter Programs

    http://www.mprojector.com/

    http://www.screentime.com/software/mprojector/

    http://www.northcode.com/index.php

    http://www.multidmedia.com/

    SWF2AVI

    http://www.pizzinini.net/projects/swf2avi/

    DOCUMENTATION

    Flash Video Links/Documentation

    http://www.phillipkerman.com/wholestory/

    http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/flash/video_templates.html

    Webcam Links/Documentation

    http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_16457
    – Flash Media Server TechNote – Problems using multiple settings
    for one capture source

    http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/flashcom/articles/broadcast_receiver_03.html
    – live video broadcast

    http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/flashcom/articles/first_comm_app.html

    – creating video chat

    http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/search/index.cfm?loc=en_us&term=webcam
    – search for webcam on Macromedia

    http://www.macromedia.com/support/flashcom/documentation.html
    – Flash Comm Server

    Support Center

    http://www.flashcomguru.com/apps/port_test/index.cfm
    – Flash Com Guru – Port Tester [ test open ports with Flash Comm ]

    http://www.flashcomguru.com/tutorials/switch_cams.cfm
    – Using 2 cameras

    http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/flash/articles/live_video_switcher_print.html

    – Live Video switcher

    http://flash-communications.net/sourceCode/index.html
    – Flash Communication Server Source Code and Examples

    Flash Lite for Mobile

    Links/Documentation

    http://www.scottjanousek.com/blog/macromedia/flash/archives/000098.html
    – The Unofficial FlashLite 1.1 Reference
    Sheet v1.0

    http://www.biskero.org/

    http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/p_s/i/flash/

    http://justin.everett-church.com/index.php/2005/07/10/flash-lite-flas-from-flash-forward/

    http://www.blueskynorth.com/swf2sis/

    http://www.motocoder.com/motorola/pcsHome.jsp

    http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/devices/flashlite.html

    http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/categories.cfm?catid=472

    http://www.macromedia.com/mobile/supported_devices/

    http://www.macromedia.com/mobile/

    http://www.macromedia.com/mobile/supported_devices/handsets.html

    http://www.nokia-asia.com/nokia/0,1522,,00.html?orig=/6680

    http://www.flash-lite.de/downloads2.html

    .NET 2.0 Express Edition 2005

    Be sure to download your [free copy] of .Net 2.0 Express Edition 2005 from [MSDN] while you can. Also, you’ll need the [Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package (x86)]. Additional info: [Visual C++ with the Platform SDK].


    Backup of steps, in case they disappear off the face of this earth:

    Using Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition with the Microsoft Platform SDK

    By Brian Johnson,
    Microsoft Corporation

    You
    can use Visual C++ Express to build powerful .NET Framework
    applications immediately after installation. In order to use Visual C++
    Express to build Win32 applications, you’ll need to take just a few
    more steps. I’ll list the steps necessary for building Win32
    applications using Visual C++ Express.

    Step 1: Install Visual C++ Express.

    If you haven’t done so already, install Visual C++ Express.

    Step 2: Install the Microsoft Platform SDK.

    Install the Platform SDK over the Web from the Download Center. Follow the instructions and install the SDK for the x86 platform.

    Step 3: Update the Visual C++ directories in the Projects and Solutions section in the Options dialog box.

    Add the paths to the appropriate subsection:

    Executable files: C:Program FilesMicrosoft Platform SDKBin

    Include files: C:Program FilesMicrosoft Platform SDKinclude

    Library files: C:Program FilesMicrosoft Platform SDKlib

    Note: Alternatively, you can update the Visual C++ Directories by modifying the
    VCProjectEngine.dll.express.config file located in the vcvcpackages subdirectory of the Visual C++
    Express install location. Please make sure that you also delete the file “vccomponents.dat” located in the
    “%USERPROFILE%Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftVCExpress8.0” if it exists before restarting
    Visual C++ Express Edition.

    Step 4: Update the corewin_express.vsprops file.

    One
    more step is needed to make the Win32 template work in Visual C++
    Express. You need to edit the corewin_express.vsprops file (found in
    C:Program FilesMicrosoft Visual Studio 8VCVCProjectDefaults) and

    Change the string that reads:

    AdditionalDependencies=”kernel32.lib” to

    AdditionalDependencies=”kernel32.lib
    user32.lib gdi32.lib winspool.lib comdlg32.lib advapi32.lib shell32.lib
    ole32.lib oleaut32.lib uuid.lib”

    Step 5: Generate and build a Win32 application to test your paths.

    In
    Visual C++ Express, the Win32 Windows Application type is disabled in
    the Win32 Application Wizard. To enable that type, you need to edit the
    file AppSettings.htm file located in the folder
    “%ProgramFiles%Microsoft Visual Studio
    8VCVCWizardsAppWizGenericApplicationhtml1033″.

    In a text editor comment out lines 441 – 444 by putting a // in front of them as shown here:

    // WIN_APP.disabled = true;
    // WIN_APP_LABEL.disabled = true;

    // DLL_APP.disabled = true;
    // DLL_APP_LABEL.disabled = true;

    Save and close the file and open Visual C++ Express.

    From
    the File menu, click New Project. In the New Project dialog box, expand
    the Visual C++ node in the Product Types tree and then click Win32.
    Click on the Win32 Console Application template and then give your
    project a name and click OK. In the Win32 Application Wizard dialog
    box, make sure that Windows application is selected as the Application
    type and the ATL is not selected. Click the Finish button to generate
    the project.

    As a final step, test your
    project by clicking the Start button in the IDE or by pressing F5. Your
    Win32 application should build and run.

    Microsoft Coding4Fun

    Tony posted an excellent article: [Controlling Your Computer with X10]. The project makes use of hardware, xml, and speech synthesis. Example source is available.

    [MSDN Coding4fun] has a ton of other cool webcasts.

    Especially [this webcast] at 22:13 which touches on Open Source. Quite motivational. Shows what happens to engineers after 28+ years. Also definitively shows the intent of the mouse, which is “the mouse should have as many buttons as can possibly be affixed to it.”

    Thread Performance of Modo

    While watching the [Modo 201 Event] again, I found this slide interesting. It shows in this case, spawning 2 threads has better performance than 50-80 per CPU. The natural tendency for a developer is just spawn threads when performance is bad. “1 Thread” corresponds to a single processor server. “2 Threads” corresponds to a dual processor server. And “4 Threads” corresponds to a dual processor server with hyper-threading. In this graph of rendering times, the lower the number, the better.