Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Weather clearing up - sunny spells in the afternoon

Last month I didn't have a clue exactly what was going to happen with regard to the project and work etc. As it happens I'm grateful things worked out as well as they did. My book is well under way and on schedule, new job starting shortly and thank goodness; not one but TWO replacement couches. If you didn't know I've been sitting in a hole padded with cushions for two years, a glamorous life but on the plus side visitors didn't want to stay long. However come the end of July I have some guests from Denmark coming over to show me how to build an AR table. Using a piece of target tracking software called "Bullseye" and Unity3D here's some footage of a music table in action courtesy of LEGO.


As it's going open source soon and I have a TON of painted Battletech figures and helicopters sitting in a box I'm hoping we can jam a prototype AR tabletop mech game in a week for not much expense. I haven't told him yet but it's too late for them to cancel the holiday. Sorry Lena :)

He's also quite keen to get some stick time on Combat-Helo so it's a good opportunity to get it fixed up for another public outing. Dave and I have been working on a rescue plan which I'm happy with. Currently I still only have a few hours during the week to work on the project, this will increase around mid-July.

Gunfighter6 just stepped and delivered a script full of stand-in speech files. So big thank you for that. What I did for the script was generate a cut-down version for the gunnery range and have just 3 parts, the range officer and two crewmen. The trick is to turn unfiltered speech into multiple parts by mixing radio noise, if that doesn't work then I'll have to batch process noise into the audio fragments using Audacity. It's now capable of running scripts.

Audacity 2.0  - great program.

The Leadwerks Community Project is picking up pace but some of the guys working on it have pulled out all the stops to put in some awesome work and I'm learning a thing or two from every update. Here's the third video blog of what's going on behind the scenes. Roll the tape Johhny....



I just watched Indie Game - The Movie  (www.indiegamethemovie.com/), a highly emotional experience and my heart goes out to all developers out there who feel the same level of frustration and conviction. In the darker moments when the pressure is on and you can only see the problems, that's when you want to give up. Some of those guys were working for 5 years, without support. As a movie it's beautifully shot and scored. If you want some insight into what it's like being the little guy trying to code your 'big idea' this is spot on...except for most it doesn't have the good bit at the end.

I'm thankful for Dave's patience and continued support from folks. Next update will be in about two weeks, until then have fun.

13 comments:

  1. Good luck on your`e new job, Flex! Hopefully that will help to pay the bills.
    Great to hear that CH is still in development.

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  2. Congrats, Flex! On a somewhat sadder note... I have to confirm that I've lost all the Mossie originals...

    I really punched my face hard.
    Stupid stupid me.

    HDD went "Click of death"...
    *Sigh* This will teach me.

    Now I'm seriously considering a next step forward...
    Should I RE-Do it all over again?

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    Replies
    1. Mossie, RIP. It's happened to all of us at some point so I'm kind of gutted for you in that respect. It was great work and I still want to use it in some form.

      I think we can salvage something from the samples you sent to me. While they are not of the highest resolution they probably just about good enough for use on in-game flags and patches. I'll have to look at how well the white matting can be removed and what it looks like in the engine after being filtered.

      I'll email you a link to join the google-drive art folder. Dave and I have just started sharing docs to flesh out some ideas.

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    2. Have you tried the hard drive in the freezer trick?
      http://superuser.com/questions/1078/harddrive-in-the-freezer-ever-work-for-you

      It doesn't always work, but it's worth a shot. I usually put in in a ziplock filled with minute-rice. The rice helps to keep the condensation out, after you remove it. You have to be quick.

      Delete
  3. Hi Flex, nice to hear a squeak from you. Glad things are looking up. BTW I am still waiting for some graphics from you for the inside cockpit of the AH64 that I can use on a mock up cockpit for your exhibition that will take place some day....

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    1. Singing "Some day out there..."

      You should watch that Indie Game - The Movie. When the Fez chappie is on the show floor rebooting his PC all I could think about was the sinking feeling of recompiling code on the floor at the Cosford show and the cockpit busted by the first guy to stomp on the pedals. That was a disaster :) but lesson learned, and good to do it at a smaller show.

      Having a cockpit bezel to tote around would certainly inspire. I'm guessing an orthographic projection of the in-game cockpit will do. I wonder if it's best for Dave to do a really high-res render in MAX or some large screen-capture.

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  4. Might already have that covered!! We have a cockpit design in the pipeline for an Apache that will allow for the MPD's and side panels etc!! Along with our Apache flight controls. It's going to be an interesting year!!

    Cheers

    Rich

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    1. To go with your Blade control system? Sounds interesting Rich. Shoot me some news about that sometime :)

      The sort of thing Cyc is talking about is a water cut plastic foam card surround. Should be inexpensive to produce a couple, lightweight and slip into a Corby trouser press.

      Ug, now I have memories of Alan Partridge taking one apart.

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  5. Email sent, but in a word yes!! We have plans for a full 2 place cockpit, but that might be a while off yet!!

    BR

    Rich

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  6. "Gunfighter6 just stepped and delivered a script full of stand-in speech files."
    As in "THE" Gunfighter 6? The Task Force Commander? Is he in on this project? Or is this just a coincidence?

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  7. @Jon I don't think so :)

    @Thomas no, but I'll explore the possibility.

    Sorry not had time to deal with much, working full time and under contract to complete this book in the evening doesn't leave much time for simply resting. But that will be over soon.

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  8. Richard, take your time man, these good sims take patience and time. When you do finally get to it, do remember there is a very good Blk ii Longbow manual out there waiting for you to read it.

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  9. Never mind, seems like you've already read it judging by the status of your videos.

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