Here is a link to the pdf of the tutorial: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ininhznuwzg
Below is an image capture of the fish tank.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Beginner level specialisation tutorial
Today I created my beginner specialisation tutorial for creating a fish tank. After looking around in crymod for help or tutorials I noticed know one had actually posted anything relating to modelling or creating a fishtank. So for this tutorial I created it through basic trial and error and using my experiance I had gained from creating underwater structures and playing around with water elements within Crysis I managed to create a simple looking fish tank with live fish that looked quite realistic.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Studio - 21/05/09
1:00pm - Today in studio we had a guest presenter Andrew Wallace talk to us about the firm he works for and what kind of projects he has been involved in. Andrew managed to involve real-time environments with his projects and it was interesting to hear how his clients seemed to be quite happy to walk around in there models which opened up there mind visually so that they could see a finished representation of the design.
3:00pm - After the guest presentation we went into our groups and my team drew up a proposed time table of what we had to finish and complete for our final polished fabrication which is on the team journal.
4:00pm - We also discussed our specilaizations with the tutors and what we needed to have complete by next week.
3:00pm - After the guest presentation we went into our groups and my team drew up a proposed time table of what we had to finish and complete for our final polished fabrication which is on the team journal.
4:00pm - We also discussed our specilaizations with the tutors and what we needed to have complete by next week.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Projected outcomes for specialization 20/05/09
My specialisation will pretty much be advanced water within Crysis. As I have spent allot of time experimenting with underwater structures and getting them to work, this category seems to fit me nicely.To further my knowledge with water elements within Crysis I will look at experimenting in these areas.
- Fixing up graphical and viewing glitches/problems within an underwater structure; this will include looking at alternative methods of adjusting and fixing portals to work nicely in conjunction with visareas.
- Create a fish tank with swimming fish by using skills that I have already gained in creating underwater structures.
More advanced elements within Crysis that I will be experimenting with are:
- Particle effects with water such as splashes and ripples
- Waterfalls
- Rivers incorporating realistic water movement and particles
- Incorporate AI interactivity with water elements
Depending on how successful I am with these goals, I intend to then write up an easy to follow tutorial that will allow basic setting up of an underwater structure that is as glitch and graphical free as it can be. Included in this tutorial will be my experiences of what can go wrong and how to fix these issues if they happen. I will also include the limits of creating a structure underwater in Crysis. I will also incorporate a fish tank tutorial which can also hopefully be exported as a group object file that will allow anyone to download and import into their crysis environment.
And with the more advanced elements I will create them as individual tutorials. Once a user has gone through all of the tutorials they should then be able to use all these skills and merge them into a nice crysis environment that shows off realistic underwater environments complimented with advanced water visuals.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Studio 14/05/09
1:00pm - Today in Studio we had a guest lecturer Shilo Mclean come in and talk to us about digital storeytelling. It was quite an insightful talk about how computer generated images were being used in films to replicate real looking stuff. It also gave ideas on how us as architectural visualisers can use these skills out in the real world.
2:00pm - After Shilo gave her talk we were breifed on our tasks for the upcoming final fabrication and what improvements we could do to make our desingns even more better and realistic.
3:00pm - We were also each given a specialisation within crysis that we would all research and find out about. Graham convinced me in the end to specialise with the water elements within Crysis as I have already been playing around with it. We also decided that I would try further research ways to make underwater structures within Crysis more refined and realistic. Other elements such as creating a fish tank above water will be an interesting concept that I will look into as well as creating breaking shore lines and waves.
2:00pm - After Shilo gave her talk we were breifed on our tasks for the upcoming final fabrication and what improvements we could do to make our desingns even more better and realistic.
3:00pm - We were also each given a specialisation within crysis that we would all research and find out about. Graham convinced me in the end to specialise with the water elements within Crysis as I have already been playing around with it. We also decided that I would try further research ways to make underwater structures within Crysis more refined and realistic. Other elements such as creating a fish tank above water will be an interesting concept that I will look into as well as creating breaking shore lines and waves.
Feedback on Team Fabrications 13/05/09
Team - Digilism
Strengths: There first strength was choosing a very symbolic location where the world trade centers used to be. And also choosing a unique building style that is different from the traditional skyscraper makes this fabrication stand out.
Weaknesses: The internal structure seemed like an empty space. More entourage elements such as people would of given the map a sense of scale. An interactive element such as elevators would make the design better since it is a skyscraper.
Team - Orange
Strengths: The Ren building looks awesome in its environment. The lighting really enhances the volume and spaces within and around the building. Entourage helps give the fabrication a sense of scale and gives realism.
Weaknesses: The overall landscape and map would look better and more realistic if a google earth image of the site was scaled and used.
Team - Evolve
Strengths: Uses architecture that is in a different site context. The landscape really looks like a desert environment with a realistic looking oasis where the structure is. Good use of cinematic in the presentation give you the impersonation that you are stranded and lost then find an oasis.
Weaknesses: The pool at the bottom of the structure doesn't show much depth and can be made to look more realistic. The other structural element which is the reservoir fulled with water should be modelled and Incorporated into the final map.
Team - Urbans
Strengths: Moving the model from Hyde Park to a smaller map really helps emphasize the size since you can now compare it to buildings in the distance. Using google earth imaging has helped create a scaled environment that shows allot of realism. Space inside the cenotaph should incorporate people with AI to help showcase what you can do when you visit this structure.
Weaknesses: The site map had elements which seemed out of place such as the main river where the bridge and entry is to the cenotaph. The river seemed quite big and deep when in real life it is quite shallow. Bird elements show a sense of scale but walking people with AI would look so much better. Interactive elements should be Incorporated such as doors, maybe a lift structure to take you to the dome of the Cenotaph.
Team - Omega
Strengths: Carrying on from there successful draft fabrication, there design is really looking good. Adding underground areas to the cultural center are really making the design more realistic to the intended architectural designs. The conference room in particular looks good with its textures and modelling.
Weaknesses: More people and A.I. especially in the conference room will help make this map more realistic. More interactive components such as control panels to control lighting or movable screens in the conference room will give users something to do in the design. And interiors of rooms can be improved upon with more modelling to help fill it out.
Strengths: There first strength was choosing a very symbolic location where the world trade centers used to be. And also choosing a unique building style that is different from the traditional skyscraper makes this fabrication stand out.
Weaknesses: The internal structure seemed like an empty space. More entourage elements such as people would of given the map a sense of scale. An interactive element such as elevators would make the design better since it is a skyscraper.
Team - Orange
Strengths: The Ren building looks awesome in its environment. The lighting really enhances the volume and spaces within and around the building. Entourage helps give the fabrication a sense of scale and gives realism.
Weaknesses: The overall landscape and map would look better and more realistic if a google earth image of the site was scaled and used.
Team - Evolve
Strengths: Uses architecture that is in a different site context. The landscape really looks like a desert environment with a realistic looking oasis where the structure is. Good use of cinematic in the presentation give you the impersonation that you are stranded and lost then find an oasis.
Weaknesses: The pool at the bottom of the structure doesn't show much depth and can be made to look more realistic. The other structural element which is the reservoir fulled with water should be modelled and Incorporated into the final map.
Team - Urbans
Strengths: Moving the model from Hyde Park to a smaller map really helps emphasize the size since you can now compare it to buildings in the distance. Using google earth imaging has helped create a scaled environment that shows allot of realism. Space inside the cenotaph should incorporate people with AI to help showcase what you can do when you visit this structure.
Weaknesses: The site map had elements which seemed out of place such as the main river where the bridge and entry is to the cenotaph. The river seemed quite big and deep when in real life it is quite shallow. Bird elements show a sense of scale but walking people with AI would look so much better. Interactive elements should be Incorporated such as doors, maybe a lift structure to take you to the dome of the Cenotaph.
Team - Omega
Strengths: Carrying on from there successful draft fabrication, there design is really looking good. Adding underground areas to the cultural center are really making the design more realistic to the intended architectural designs. The conference room in particular looks good with its textures and modelling.
Weaknesses: More people and A.I. especially in the conference room will help make this map more realistic. More interactive components such as control panels to control lighting or movable screens in the conference room will give users something to do in the design. And interiors of rooms can be improved upon with more modelling to help fill it out.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Collaboration Definitions: Round 2 & 3, 13/05/09
Technology
Coordination Theory and Collaboration Technology
Workshops have also been sponsored by various outfits to study issues of technology and cooperative work. One of these workshops was organised by Jolene Gallagher at the University of Arizona. “These workshops focused on the behavioural science aspects of coordination and collaboration relating to the individuals, small groups and formal organizations and on computer based systems and software design for collaboration”.(Olson 2001)
(Olson 2001) asks a question about coordination theory in his book “How will the widespread use of information technology change the ways people work together?” Currently there is software out there that allows people to work continuously together. Such software has been referred to as groupware and computer supported co-operative work. Since the generation of computers and IT has boomed in the last 15 years, we now see large numbers of people who have acquired direct access to computers, primarily for individual tasks such as using spreadsheets and word processing. And this has given lots of opportunities for users to get together and use communication and computing capabilities to help co-ordinate their work.
(Olson 2001) quotes “specialized new software has been developed to support multiple authors working together on the same document, help people display and manipulate information more effectively in face to face meetings and help people intelligently route and process electronic messages. Other benefits that can occur from collaborative measures using technology refer to the future. New capabilities can allow for faster communication between users, less expensively and more selectively. Which in the long run for example can mean lowering costs of coordination between firms that may encourage more market transactions, more buying (Olson)
Communication
Collaborative Communication in interfirm relationships
Communication in firms and between firms is quite crucial in today’s competitive business world. (Jacky 1996) quotes “the most important element to successful interfirm exchange is communication; the most carefully designed relationship will crumble without goods, frequent communication. Described as the glue that holds together a channel of distribution” This shows communication as a vital on-going management of relationships.
“Collaborative communication relies on the development of cooperative attitudes and processes to guide and administer the relationship” (Jacky 1996) which creates an atmosphere of mutual support and respect. So by showcasing common goals and likeminded thinking, collaborative communication can create deliberate agreement between partners. Collaborative communication inside firms can also lead to different outcomes such as maintaining a positive relationship. This will make workers feel like they are a fundamental part of the team. Showing positive commitment to fellow workers can also strengthen trust bonds and give incentive for people to work harder producing improved coordination, satisfaction and commitment.
Below is an example of how parties within the construction industry would collaborate traditionally. Adding new technologies such as web-based collaboration will dramatically ease how information between parties’s can be accessed and saved. An example of what a web based system does: “The system manages information including drawings, documents and correspondence online. This enables all authorized parties, internal and external, to view, distribute and track their files electronically through one central system. (Aconex 2007)
Intent
Coordination Theory and Collaboration Technology
Workshops have also been sponsored by various outfits to study issues of technology and cooperative work. One of these workshops was organised by Jolene Gallagher at the University of Arizona. “These workshops focused on the behavioural science aspects of coordination and collaboration relating to the individuals, small groups and formal organizations and on computer based systems and software design for collaboration”.(Olson 2001)
(Olson 2001) asks a question about coordination theory in his book “How will the widespread use of information technology change the ways people work together?” Currently there is software out there that allows people to work continuously together. Such software has been referred to as groupware and computer supported co-operative work. Since the generation of computers and IT has boomed in the last 15 years, we now see large numbers of people who have acquired direct access to computers, primarily for individual tasks such as using spreadsheets and word processing. And this has given lots of opportunities for users to get together and use communication and computing capabilities to help co-ordinate their work.
(Olson 2001) quotes “specialized new software has been developed to support multiple authors working together on the same document, help people display and manipulate information more effectively in face to face meetings and help people intelligently route and process electronic messages. Other benefits that can occur from collaborative measures using technology refer to the future. New capabilities can allow for faster communication between users, less expensively and more selectively. Which in the long run for example can mean lowering costs of coordination between firms that may encourage more market transactions, more buying (Olson)
Communication
Collaborative Communication in interfirm relationships
Communication in firms and between firms is quite crucial in today’s competitive business world. (Jacky 1996) quotes “the most important element to successful interfirm exchange is communication; the most carefully designed relationship will crumble without goods, frequent communication. Described as the glue that holds together a channel of distribution” This shows communication as a vital on-going management of relationships.
“Collaborative communication relies on the development of cooperative attitudes and processes to guide and administer the relationship” (Jacky 1996) which creates an atmosphere of mutual support and respect. So by showcasing common goals and likeminded thinking, collaborative communication can create deliberate agreement between partners. Collaborative communication inside firms can also lead to different outcomes such as maintaining a positive relationship. This will make workers feel like they are a fundamental part of the team. Showing positive commitment to fellow workers can also strengthen trust bonds and give incentive for people to work harder producing improved coordination, satisfaction and commitment.
Below is an example of how parties within the construction industry would collaborate traditionally. Adding new technologies such as web-based collaboration will dramatically ease how information between parties’s can be accessed and saved. An example of what a web based system does: “The system manages information including drawings, documents and correspondence online. This enables all authorized parties, internal and external, to view, distribute and track their files electronically through one central system. (Aconex 2007)
Intent
An article called “Does measuring Intent Change Behaviour” had some interesting points attributed to the way we assess Intent. (Johnson 1993) quotes “Situational Influences and normative constraints are just two of the possible detours that prevent stated intentions from becoming reality”. Intent can be looked at in quite a few different ways. For example from a behaviour point of view, Influences can play a big role in determining the intentions of a person. However these influences can then be further affected by normative constraints such as rules or the law which in turn will affect the intent of a person. One person could be thinking, such as having an intention to do something but there behaviour can change because of these other influences or constraints. When assessing behavioural change when measuring intent this article mentions that answering a question can have two effects. (Johnson 1993) quotes "First, answering an attitude question from someone can make the attitudes much more accessible and make resulting behaviour more consistent with the underlying attitude. Second, answering an intention question not only increases attitude accessibility but can cause the respondant to engage in substantial cognitive work that may produce a subsequent change in attitudes and intentions". Basically what this means is that answering an intent question from someone could change your behaviour by making your attitude more accessible and by changing the attitude itself.
Context
The word "Context" is also used very repetitively and has quite a universal sort of meaning when you put it into content. One article called (International Journal of Ad Hoc and Ubiquitous Computing) talks about context-aware systems. In this area of the article the word context is referred to quite profoundly. "Context-aware systems offer entirely new opportunities for application developers and for end users by gathering context data", "Based on these design principles, we introduce various existing context-aware systems focusing on context-aware middleware and frameworks, which ease the development of context-aware applications"(Baldauf 2007, p.263). Basically they are referring to context as a term that implies that there system looks into many multitudes of different areas and can focus on them in more detail. So Context can be defined as a collaborative specific word that can entail terms such as arrangements, groups and teams.
References
- Olson, G 2001, Coordination theory and collaboration technology, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
- Jacky, J 2001, Collaborative Communication in Interfirm Relationships, Journal of Marketing, vol 60, pp. 103-115
- Aconex 2007, Sydney Opera House: Information Control for the full asset lifecycle, solution web-based collaboration, accessed 13 May 2009, <http://www.automatedbuildings.com/news/dec07/articles/aconex/071129023808aconex.htm>
- Baldauf, M 2007, International Journal of Ad Hoc and Ubiquitous Computing, Volume 2, pp. 263 - 277, accessed 22 April 2009 from Inderscience Publishers Online
- Johnson E, 1993, ''Does measuring Intent Change Behaviour”, Vol. 20, pp. 46, accessed 22 April 2009 from JSTOR Archives
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Studio - 07/05/09
1:00pm - Today in studio we had another guest presenter who shared his thoughts on sustainability, and was quite an interesting talk.
2:30pm - We then started the team presentations where everyone pitched forward there final fabrications and gave us reasons to pick them. Every group did very well and there seemed to be alot of hard work put into each design. We also did a peer review and everyone of us wrote down strengths and weaknesses for the other teams.
5:00pm - My team presented last but I feel we got great feedback about our fabrication. Our tutors then decided to instead join our class into two main groups for two fabrciations, but to instead keep us in the same groups so we could further develop each single project into an even better design.
2:30pm - We then started the team presentations where everyone pitched forward there final fabrications and gave us reasons to pick them. Every group did very well and there seemed to be alot of hard work put into each design. We also did a peer review and everyone of us wrote down strengths and weaknesses for the other teams.
5:00pm - My team presented last but I feel we got great feedback about our fabrication. Our tutors then decided to instead join our class into two main groups for two fabrciations, but to instead keep us in the same groups so we could further develop each single project into an even better design.
Progress - 07/05/09
Well.... Most of my team stayed up all night doing the finishing touches for our final fabrication and presentation. Quite a few teams were working with us in the labs in the red center all doing there projects. It was quite funny seeing everyone stress including me. But in the end of the night I saw great progress from the teams that were staying up doing there fabrication and we ended up passing advice and tips on how to do certain things to help improve our designs. My team and another lost a couple of hours of work because of restarting computers in the labs which was quite fustrating but in the end we got it done and was an interesting night.
Phil and I finally figured out how to make the underground train work by using the same technique we used for the elevators but to change the axis so the train would move horizontally instead of vertically. Eva and I ran into quite alot fo problems with importing the layer of interior walls, furnishings and textures. Some of it was imported but was missing alot of stuff. It was also quite hard to select the objects such as the furniture as they seemed to be locked but werent. Still havent figured out what happened there but I guess the share complexity of the projects is starting to fail on the computers. One note that I will also mention is that since copying the file and sending it from person to person to work on, I have found that each time I receive the file there are things missing, elements that have been moved and scripts that basically stopped moving such as elevators and sliding doors which is real annoying. Stephen did a great job with the AI and one thing that will aspire for further improvements for the Hydropolis if it gets chosen is more interactivy with A.I.
Phil and I finally figured out how to make the underground train work by using the same technique we used for the elevators but to change the axis so the train would move horizontally instead of vertically. Eva and I ran into quite alot fo problems with importing the layer of interior walls, furnishings and textures. Some of it was imported but was missing alot of stuff. It was also quite hard to select the objects such as the furniture as they seemed to be locked but werent. Still havent figured out what happened there but I guess the share complexity of the projects is starting to fail on the computers. One note that I will also mention is that since copying the file and sending it from person to person to work on, I have found that each time I receive the file there are things missing, elements that have been moved and scripts that basically stopped moving such as elevators and sliding doors which is real annoying. Stephen did a great job with the AI and one thing that will aspire for further improvements for the Hydropolis if it gets chosen is more interactivy with A.I.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Progress Check 05/05/09
11:00am - We had a group meeting today at uni to discuss the final work that needed to be done to finish our final fabrication. Eva had finished doing the interior of the rooms and we started importing that into the final copy. Our next step was working on interactive components such as working lifts and sliding doors that would make our design work. We ran into some trouble with getting these interactive elements working but found out later that crysis had to be restarted each time. Stephen worked on the lighting for Hydropolis and that has really started o look good and bring out the underwater environment in the darker areas of the sea bed. Phil created a nice looking water feature and I applied water area volumes to it to make it look real. A.I and entourage is the next step that we are going to work on before we apply some finishing touches.
Friday, May 1, 2009
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