MAD VERTICES Community Forum : Launch!
Papervision 3D Core Training:
• PV3D "Setting Up" : View Examples & Source / Video
• PV3D Intro - Hello World : View Examples & Source / Video
• PV3D Material Basics : View Examples & Source
• PV3D Primitives : View Examples & Source / Video (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
• PV3D Text : View Examples, Source & Custom Font Implementation (*NEW*)
• Swift 3D & PV3D : View Examples & Source
• PV3D Collada (DAE Files) : View Examples & Source
• PV3D Object Properties & Interactivity : View Examples & Source
• BasicView Overview : View
• PV3D Development in Flex (Part 1) : View Video (*NEW*)
• PV3D Development in Flex (Part 2) : View Video (*NEW*)
Advanced Materials
• Applying Shader Materials : View Examples & Source
• Applying Shaders w/ ShadedMaterial : View Examples & Source
• Shaders w/ ShadedMaterial Explained : View Example, Source & Diagram (*NEW*)
Effects, Filters & Modifiers
• Casting Shadows : View Examples & Source
• Apply filters to objects within your scene : View Examples & Source
• Applying Modifiers : View Examples & Source
Animation
• Animation using Tweener : View Examples & Source
• Animations w/ Bezier Curves: View
• Animated DAE Files (ASCollada): View
Exercises:
• Interactive Objects Video Exercise: View
• Displaying Collada Files Exercise (built with Swift 3D): View
Random Tips & Info:
• ecodazoo-ish Object Controls: View (*NEW*)
• lookAt, point objects at other objects, etc: View
• hitTestObject, simple method for hit detection: View
• distanceTo, calculate distance between objects = very cool uses: View
• Update materials at runtime: View
• Loading External .SWF Files as Materials: View
Swift 3D Support:
• Swift 3D & Papervision Basics / Overview: View / Video
• DAE File Viewer (Pre-coded, just plug in. Has pre-build controls as well): View
• Apply WireframeMaterial(s) to your Model (Easy mod of ERMain.as): View
Learning Cairngorm / MVC
I've been working with Cairngorm for the past 1 1/2 years now. At first, the prospect of learning an MVC framework seemed quite daunting. I did try on two or three occasions to learn how the MVC design patterns work and failed. I even had a traditional .net developer friend come and walk me through it (he just confused the hell outta me).
But, alas, after dabbling with the Cairngorm code at work for the past 1 1/2 years the knowledge of MVC / Cairgnorm has finally transfered to my brain via osmosis. I did tend to learn it by working from the outside in, meaning, someone else had set up the Cairngorm ModelLocator, the Cairngrom Events and Commands, etc... I was typically setting up the views (or custom components) and then tying data into my components via the ModelLocator... and from there, dispatching and listening to Cairngorm events. Again, most of the events and the ModelLocator were set up previously. Anyways, this was my way of getting knowledge of how Cairngorm /MVC works.
So, at that point I was feeling pretty good about how it tap into Cairngorm / the MVC. Now I just needed to learn how to actually set it up and work with the guts of it. To do that, I referred to David Tuckers Cairngorm video tutorials. If you haven't viewed these videos I highly recommend them. David does a great job of explaining the power, method and techniques to using Cairngorm. He explains how to set it up, builds a number of sample applications and explains everything as if you were a 'Jim Foley' aka a guy who has no clue.
The link to his videos:
http://www.davidtucker.net/2008/04/01/cairngorm-videos-available-as-flv-downloads/
One thing I am finding, is that Cairngorm, or some sort of knowledge of an MVC is very powerful on a resume. If you've considered learning how to use an MVC or don't even really understand what it is just yet, learn it! Even if it takes you a year of dabbling to figure it out (as it did for me).
But, alas, after dabbling with the Cairngorm code at work for the past 1 1/2 years the knowledge of MVC / Cairgnorm has finally transfered to my brain via osmosis. I did tend to learn it by working from the outside in, meaning, someone else had set up the Cairngorm ModelLocator, the Cairngrom Events and Commands, etc... I was typically setting up the views (or custom components) and then tying data into my components via the ModelLocator... and from there, dispatching and listening to Cairngorm events. Again, most of the events and the ModelLocator were set up previously. Anyways, this was my way of getting knowledge of how Cairngorm /MVC works.
So, at that point I was feeling pretty good about how it tap into Cairngorm / the MVC. Now I just needed to learn how to actually set it up and work with the guts of it. To do that, I referred to David Tuckers Cairngorm video tutorials. If you haven't viewed these videos I highly recommend them. David does a great job of explaining the power, method and techniques to using Cairngorm. He explains how to set it up, builds a number of sample applications and explains everything as if you were a 'Jim Foley' aka a guy who has no clue.
The link to his videos:
http://www.davidtucker.net/2008/04/01/cairngorm-videos-available-as-flv-downloads/
One thing I am finding, is that Cairngorm, or some sort of knowledge of an MVC is very powerful on a resume. If you've considered learning how to use an MVC or don't even really understand what it is just yet, learn it! Even if it takes you a year of dabbling to figure it out (as it did for me).
FreeSpin3D for Flash CS4 Released
http://www.freespin3d.com/ <-- check it out.
I haven't had the chance to toy around with it yet but the guys at FreeSpin3D just put out a new version of their product that is compatible with Flash CS4. It looks like it is very intuitive and easy to use as compared to the first version. Give it a look...
"FreeSpin3D™ is an Extension for Adobe Flash that enables the importing of 3D models directly into Adobe Flash as a Flash MovieClip object. It is the only real-time 3D technology that utilizes the standard Adobe Flash animation timeline and built-in 3D behaviors, making FreeSpin3D the most intuitive solution for interactive designers."
I haven't had the chance to toy around with it yet but the guys at FreeSpin3D just put out a new version of their product that is compatible with Flash CS4. It looks like it is very intuitive and easy to use as compared to the first version. Give it a look...
Flash on Android
http://www.insideria.com/2009/06/flash-on-android.html <-- Hell Yeah!
I've always been a believer in the Android platform. I've done basic training for developing applications on Android. And look forward to building full on applications on the various Android supported phones.
I'm sure there are some of you out there that were crossing their fingers (just like me) and hoping that Flash would eventually be supported on Android. As far as I know, it isn't officially supported on Android but Adobe is making it possible for them to make it a reality. Plus, I wouldn't think that Adobe would build it out if they didn't have plans with Google to do so.
I've always been a believer in the Android platform. I've done basic training for developing applications on Android. And look forward to building full on applications on the various Android supported phones.
I'm sure there are some of you out there that were crossing their fingers (just like me) and hoping that Flash would eventually be supported on Android. As far as I know, it isn't officially supported on Android but Adobe is making it possible for them to make it a reality. Plus, I wouldn't think that Adobe would build it out if they didn't have plans with Google to do so.
Flex 3 + Vista 64 bit = :-(
So I bought this nice, bad ass new computer. Cool, shiny, powerful, etc... I installed Flex and at first glance everything was looking great. But then I went to the Build Path dialog and the tabs are not showing. Strange... I did some searching around and it seems there are a number of people having this problem, along with a few other related issues.
From what I gather, there is no fix for this problem. Seriously? As you can imagine, I'm really freaked out and disappointed with this problem. Does anyone know of a fix/solution for this?
From what I gather, there is no fix for this problem. Seriously? As you can imagine, I'm really freaked out and disappointed with this problem. Does anyone know of a fix/solution for this?
Swiftdev.com Speed Modeling Contest
I've been assisting in moderating Swiftdev's Speed Modeling Contest (SMC) for quite some time now (3+ years). These contests aren't about winning prizes but are more about community, friendly competition and learning. The SMC is a competition of how fast you can model something under a specific theme using Swift 3D.
I've watched people that were complete novices jump in on every weekly SMC contest for two months straight and saw them transition into an intermediate level of 3D modeling. In my opinion, 3D modeling is very much an art form (more so than knowing how to use an application). As with art, practice makes perfect, the more you jump in and model something new the better you become. And the SMC's are a perfect outlet for this.
So, without further delay and/or preaching from me, our current SMC (contest number 122) is up and running. The subject is 'Video Games', the time limit is 4 hours and the deadline is the 22nd. Winner gets bragging rights and gets to choose the subject for the next contest.
So, if you have the urge to learn 3D, or just want spread your wings and wipe off the dust thats been gather (on your 3D modeling talents) please feel free to jump in. It would be nice to see some new faces.
Here is the link to the current SMC on Swiftdev.com
Here is my entry :-)
I've watched people that were complete novices jump in on every weekly SMC contest for two months straight and saw them transition into an intermediate level of 3D modeling. In my opinion, 3D modeling is very much an art form (more so than knowing how to use an application). As with art, practice makes perfect, the more you jump in and model something new the better you become. And the SMC's are a perfect outlet for this.
So, without further delay and/or preaching from me, our current SMC (contest number 122) is up and running. The subject is 'Video Games', the time limit is 4 hours and the deadline is the 22nd. Winner gets bragging rights and gets to choose the subject for the next contest.
So, if you have the urge to learn 3D, or just want spread your wings and wipe off the dust thats been gather (on your 3D modeling talents) please feel free to jump in. It would be nice to see some new faces.
Here is the link to the current SMC on Swiftdev.com
Here is my entry :-)
ecodazoo-ish Object Controls
View Example (click and drag cylinder around)Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you most likely have seen the site http://www.ecodazoo.com/. I'm sure we're all agree that its one of the most well executed 3D websites on the internet today.
A member on the MAD VERTICES forum wanted to recreate that type of 'control' for a project he was working on (forum member knalle). So, between the two of us we bounced a project file back and forth until we had something closely resembling the ecodazzo site controls. Here is the project thread.
The links below (and above) demonstrate what we came up with.
When/if you jump into this file the vars and elements to note are:
bounds: determines the top/bottom range of movement for the camera
boundsBuffer: The extra distance the camera will move beyone the camera target when the bounds are reached.
cylinder: Replace the cylinder with whatever object you want to rotate around.
radius: this var will determine the distance from the object (adjust as needed).
