Tuesday, May 29, 2012
To Zanarkand
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Ok recable time
Grados are now like definitely in need for recabling. Found this guide here.... do I want to DIY?
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Grados dying... again >.>
I own a pair of Grados SR80 headphones, since about about 2004,2005 thereabouts, and oh my god open cans are definitely my personal favourite.
A year or so ago though, the cabling on those SR80s died, and I had them replaced. Once again, they have failed >.>
The casing of the cabling probably doesn't deal to well with the UK's dry weather - the SR80s have travelled with me to the US and Oz with the bulk of its time in Singapore, only to fail here in the UK. Twice. Bleh.
Question is, do I want to get them re-cabled, or do I sell them off and get another pair of AKG 240 MKIIs?
Pro for AKG240 MKII: I will use them both at work and at home, and I can get "used" to the sonic signature of the AKGs. I am also somewhat weary of how over-detailed and fatiguing the SR80s are.
Pro for re-cabling SR80: Cheaper, and the SR80s are highly portable, unlike the AKGs that I will definitely have to leave in the office. SR80s also don't need an amp.
In either case, the SR80s are kind of working, so I'll decide when they give up the ghost.
A year or so ago though, the cabling on those SR80s died, and I had them replaced. Once again, they have failed >.>
The casing of the cabling probably doesn't deal to well with the UK's dry weather - the SR80s have travelled with me to the US and Oz with the bulk of its time in Singapore, only to fail here in the UK. Twice. Bleh.
Question is, do I want to get them re-cabled, or do I sell them off and get another pair of AKG 240 MKIIs?
Pro for AKG240 MKII: I will use them both at work and at home, and I can get "used" to the sonic signature of the AKGs. I am also somewhat weary of how over-detailed and fatiguing the SR80s are.
Pro for re-cabling SR80: Cheaper, and the SR80s are highly portable, unlike the AKGs that I will definitely have to leave in the office. SR80s also don't need an amp.
In either case, the SR80s are kind of working, so I'll decide when they give up the ghost.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Sucky weather this year
It's already the first week of May here in London, and the weather is utterly crappy this year. According to my weather applet, it's 7 degrees C out there, and I was hit by a slight drizzle on my way home. It's May, supposed to be all pretty blue skies and nice warm weather but what we have now is a pseudo winter weather.
Bleh, I say, Bleh!
I only hope it gets better; the last two years here were very beautiful during this period.
Bleh, I say, Bleh!
I only hope it gets better; the last two years here were very beautiful during this period.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Work your butt off
Came across this thread on the ConceptArt forums. Bottom line: Work your arse off if you have a dream.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saxophone Log, April 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Tolerance Maneuver @ The Mucky Pup
D300, 24mm/2.8D + 50/1.8D. Light was waay low, and I started out shooting at 1600, but took it to 3200 in the end. I'm still quite surprised at how good it is at iso 3200, the loss of dynamic range and contrast is keenly felt, but it's worth the shutter speed.
Its times like these I wish I owned a D700 + 24-70/2.8, would cover this situation perfectly. Apart from the fact I feel the D700 has a crappy AF layout.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Jamestown: Judgement Difficulty
Re-downloaded Jamestown to my mac before heading home for hols, and by a stroke of extreme luck I managed to complete all the difficulty levels to unlock Judgement difficulty. Whilst I manage to get through the previous difficulty level with... some difficulty, in Judgement, I used up all my continues and didn't even dent the boss! Getting old, I think :D
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Wiresolver Noodles
One of my esteemed colleagues sent me this delightful link today. First thought was "Holy frak! That's awesome" and the next thought was "how could this be done in Houdini?"
A quick setup later (one of the shots I'm working on deals with using the wiresolver to drive twigs and sticks, so...), tada!
Sadly it's only 35 frames long, cut the sim short as I have an appointment this evening. But in any case, it answers the question, yes, Houdini 12's wiresolver can definitely do something like that. If you watch the last few frames the fork's mesh is just arriving on-camera. Earlier tests indicate that the fork interacts with the wires - whether they can twirl like the Blender sim remains to be seen, but I can't see why not. The friction settings will definitely need to be tweaked for that to work but yeah.
Blender is really up and coming (sadly I can't get used to the interface, else I'd go for that vs Cheetah 3D), and I wonder how much stress it is giving to the big vfx software developers.
A quick setup later (one of the shots I'm working on deals with using the wiresolver to drive twigs and sticks, so...), tada!
Sadly it's only 35 frames long, cut the sim short as I have an appointment this evening. But in any case, it answers the question, yes, Houdini 12's wiresolver can definitely do something like that. If you watch the last few frames the fork's mesh is just arriving on-camera. Earlier tests indicate that the fork interacts with the wires - whether they can twirl like the Blender sim remains to be seen, but I can't see why not. The friction settings will definitely need to be tweaked for that to work but yeah.
Blender is really up and coming (sadly I can't get used to the interface, else I'd go for that vs Cheetah 3D), and I wonder how much stress it is giving to the big vfx software developers.
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Reflecting on life
Today might be the 1st of April, but this post isn't a joke. Already it is April, a third of the new year has passed.
Time... such a precious concept.
It was only yesterday I remember school, hating PT, dealing with studies, then bam.
Work. A new life. The winds of change.
I guess even though I'm halfway to my deathbed, I'm still discovering who I am.
Pensive, the day is, so the pseudo poet writes.
Go with the flow I guess.
Time... such a precious concept.
It was only yesterday I remember school, hating PT, dealing with studies, then bam.
Work. A new life. The winds of change.
I guess even though I'm halfway to my deathbed, I'm still discovering who I am.
Pensive, the day is, so the pseudo poet writes.
Go with the flow I guess.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
The Wind, The Stars
Thought I'd lay it in my main blog. This is my first original composition, very pleased with how it turned out.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
RANT
Very sick of people generalizing stuff. Seriously. Things do not "SUCK" because you have zero use for it.
Also, it does not make sense to put down things because they are not good.... BASED ON A REVIEW OR BLOG POST of some frakkin' website!!!!
I always roll my eyes in cases like these, especially if it's with things I've used for years! e.g.
NIKON SUCKS (Yeah totally. Check out that shitty non stablized 300/4 AF-S. That I happen to own. Yeah, utterly sucky. So sucky, it is more sucky than chewing gum in hair).
MAC SUCKS (Yeah, totally. Utter trash.)
HOUDINI SUCKS (Oh yeah, utter suck. Raydream Studio is much better.)
LINUX SUCKS (Uh yeah. It sucks, totally. So much I use it at home. Yeah, linux sucks sooo bad.)
(INSERT PRODUCT NAME) SUCKS (sigh)
Am I being a hypocrite? At times, I am very much a bloody hypocrite. But you know what? That's because I suck. I make mistakes, I learn from them. And I try to be better, and try my best to find out more about stuff and try not to put things down. Heck, do you know why I bought my first macbook? Because I was convinced that macs.... suck!
And you know what, after years of using them, I discovered a world of applications that simply do not exist on linux, or that their open source equivalents are just not up to it. Do you seriously think there would be an open source package that can rival Houdini? Naiad? Nuke? Get real!
And you know what. By championing only open source software and refusing to look into commercial products, one limits oneself to the availability of good things. Or even simply, things that simply do not exist in the open source side of things.
Even in terms of DOING things. I don't believe there are fixed ways of doing things, like to do X you must do Y. No. Is there a single way to draw a portrait? Is there a best way to paint? Are acrylics better than oils? If there was, EVERY SINGLE ARTIST will be using it. There is not. There is a best way, for you. For me.
Like Glen Vilppu says, "There are no rules, only tools."
Me, I try stuff. I know how I approach drawing and music is far different from people I speak with. Because I don't limit myself to "oh, this guy's way is the best". THERE IS NO BEST. Only the best tool/technique for that particular job.
I like to explore multiple ideas, different ways to create a hybrid that works best for me.
In addition, I do not have a need to become "An Artist" or "A Musician" because I DON'T WANT TO! Why are you obsessing about me! Me! I'm don't even know you in person! Don't ask me to me something I do not want to be.
I learn these things and more, because I am curious. I like learning. I am also single and have too much free time, and there is massive lack of wolves in my studio apartment. Hence, with no wolves to hug, what can one do? I learn, create and iterate. Is that not enough?
I don't want to draw the next Van Gough or whatever amazing art piece it is. It is a personal journey, a journey of exploration, learning and more. My "art" sucks. I know it very well. But it is not about the art. It is about breaking limits. I don't want to become "amazing artist X".
Art is about conquering my fear of drawing. It is the sweet, sweet feeling when I improve, and I know in my heart that if I can conquer this drawing thing, which I have feared for years, then I know that there is nothing that can stop me from learning and conquering new things if I so wish.
Plus, learning is awesome. That, is what I feel is the best use for my free time. You like gaming? Go for it. Enjoy flame wars? Flame on. I do not want to spend my time in such ways. I want to learn, create, and do stuff. Not argue over which paper type is best for water colors. My god. If my results suck? I learn from experience, try again.
Ok I think this rant has gone long enough, I am going to head out to the gym and do some nice long lengths down the pool.
And for the people that do not understand sarcasm, here's a wiki page. A healthy bit of sarcasm is mixed in up there.
Also, it does not make sense to put down things because they are not good.... BASED ON A REVIEW OR BLOG POST of some frakkin' website!!!!
I always roll my eyes in cases like these, especially if it's with things I've used for years! e.g.
NIKON SUCKS (Yeah totally. Check out that shitty non stablized 300/4 AF-S. That I happen to own. Yeah, utterly sucky. So sucky, it is more sucky than chewing gum in hair).
MAC SUCKS (Yeah, totally. Utter trash.)
HOUDINI SUCKS (Oh yeah, utter suck. Raydream Studio is much better.)
LINUX SUCKS (Uh yeah. It sucks, totally. So much I use it at home. Yeah, linux sucks sooo bad.)
(INSERT PRODUCT NAME) SUCKS (sigh)
Am I being a hypocrite? At times, I am very much a bloody hypocrite. But you know what? That's because I suck. I make mistakes, I learn from them. And I try to be better, and try my best to find out more about stuff and try not to put things down. Heck, do you know why I bought my first macbook? Because I was convinced that macs.... suck!
And you know what, after years of using them, I discovered a world of applications that simply do not exist on linux, or that their open source equivalents are just not up to it. Do you seriously think there would be an open source package that can rival Houdini? Naiad? Nuke? Get real!
And you know what. By championing only open source software and refusing to look into commercial products, one limits oneself to the availability of good things. Or even simply, things that simply do not exist in the open source side of things.
Even in terms of DOING things. I don't believe there are fixed ways of doing things, like to do X you must do Y. No. Is there a single way to draw a portrait? Is there a best way to paint? Are acrylics better than oils? If there was, EVERY SINGLE ARTIST will be using it. There is not. There is a best way, for you. For me.
Like Glen Vilppu says, "There are no rules, only tools."
Me, I try stuff. I know how I approach drawing and music is far different from people I speak with. Because I don't limit myself to "oh, this guy's way is the best". THERE IS NO BEST. Only the best tool/technique for that particular job.
I like to explore multiple ideas, different ways to create a hybrid that works best for me.
In addition, I do not have a need to become "An Artist" or "A Musician" because I DON'T WANT TO! Why are you obsessing about me! Me! I'm don't even know you in person! Don't ask me to me something I do not want to be.
I learn these things and more, because I am curious. I like learning. I am also single and have too much free time, and there is massive lack of wolves in my studio apartment. Hence, with no wolves to hug, what can one do? I learn, create and iterate. Is that not enough?
I don't want to draw the next Van Gough or whatever amazing art piece it is. It is a personal journey, a journey of exploration, learning and more. My "art" sucks. I know it very well. But it is not about the art. It is about breaking limits. I don't want to become "amazing artist X".
Art is about conquering my fear of drawing. It is the sweet, sweet feeling when I improve, and I know in my heart that if I can conquer this drawing thing, which I have feared for years, then I know that there is nothing that can stop me from learning and conquering new things if I so wish.
Plus, learning is awesome. That, is what I feel is the best use for my free time. You like gaming? Go for it. Enjoy flame wars? Flame on. I do not want to spend my time in such ways. I want to learn, create, and do stuff. Not argue over which paper type is best for water colors. My god. If my results suck? I learn from experience, try again.
Ok I think this rant has gone long enough, I am going to head out to the gym and do some nice long lengths down the pool.
And for the people that do not understand sarcasm, here's a wiki page. A healthy bit of sarcasm is mixed in up there.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Cheetah 3D.... maybe?
Searching around for alternatives (I must add... *low cost* alternatives) that feature both hits up an OSX native application, Cheetah 3D.
Initial tests seem to indicate this may be a really good low cost tool to combine with Unity; there are options for prebaking textures, a render engine, as well as the rigging and fbx export options I require. Note that I couldn't try export to Unity as I was using the trial version.
Controls wise, there are options for Maya or Mirai style controls, so no issues there. Interface is going to take a little while to get used to, but hey it's a new package.
Some may be curious why I'm not using Houdini, since Houdini supports all of what I need. The reason is cost. Houdini Escape is far beyond what I'd want to spend on for a fun side project. Requirements wise, what I need are modelling, hard surface rigging tools and fbx export. Using houdini for tasks like this is like purchasing a Ferrari for a trip down to the supermarket.
I think the procedural capabilities of SOPs will be really handy for generating procedural terrain, buildings, structures and stuff. Maybe one day, when I get serious.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Step Up DC Converter
Got a small package arrive today, a step up voltage converter.
As mentioned in an earlier post, I need 10V DC to power my MPXM2010GS (power it? I've no idea how to solder the damn thing, it's a SMT design....), so stepping up the Arduino's 5V out to 10 should do the trick.
Missed the part in the link above where it could also be used with miniature wind turbines to recharge batteries. Nice!
Bloody tired today, gonna rest.
As mentioned in an earlier post, I need 10V DC to power my MPXM2010GS (power it? I've no idea how to solder the damn thing, it's a SMT design....), so stepping up the Arduino's 5V out to 10 should do the trick.
Missed the part in the link above where it could also be used with miniature wind turbines to recharge batteries. Nice!
Bloody tired today, gonna rest.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Gimbal Lock Song
Gimble lock, gimble lock
Euler's having his day
Quaternions will save us all
They're just not very sane. Hey!
(Sung to the tune of jingle bells)
Euler's having his day
Quaternions will save us all
They're just not very sane. Hey!
(Sung to the tune of jingle bells)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ram Parallels
Just thinking, with 64bit computing, we get over the 4gb ram limit (or is it 3gb).
Back in the day was the same wasn't it? 640k conventional, 384k extended. Don't know what came earlier, as my first machine was an 8086 already.
Then came dos extenders, DOS4G/W, and away we went.
Don't think I'll see more barriers broken in my lifetime, but hey who knows, 10 years from now, we'll see implanted mobile communication devices with 1 terabyte of data storage on carbon nano cubes or something.
Back in the day was the same wasn't it? 640k conventional, 384k extended. Don't know what came earlier, as my first machine was an 8086 already.
Then came dos extenders, DOS4G/W, and away we went.
Don't think I'll see more barriers broken in my lifetime, but hey who knows, 10 years from now, we'll see implanted mobile communication devices with 1 terabyte of data storage on carbon nano cubes or something.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Need a modeling package for Unity?
As mentioned in an earlier post, Unity3D released their IOS/Android modules for free this month, so after picking them up and playing with Unity, thought I'd get a modeling package to go along with it. As googling would have it, Daz3D is having an unbelievable offer, Bryce 3D, Daz 4 Pro (supposedly a Poser type package) and Hexagon 2.5 (Woo!) for free.... unbelievable.
Only installed Hexagon 2.5 since I really want a modeling package, and out of the box, the interface was very intuitive. To be fair, all I required were tools to extrude faces, move points and do subdivisions. Not explored to UV toolset yet, but for free software I can't complain.
In other news, I spent to entire afternoon (and morning) going through the official unity tutorials. The main coding language seems to be a choice of Javascript, C# or Boo (uh.....)
Wee! Whilst I can understand what the code is doing, the syntax side of things leaves me pondering if I really want to pick up (or re-pick up) another programming language.
Oh well, time for more tea and some music.
Only installed Hexagon 2.5 since I really want a modeling package, and out of the box, the interface was very intuitive. To be fair, all I required were tools to extrude faces, move points and do subdivisions. Not explored to UV toolset yet, but for free software I can't complain.
In other news, I spent to entire afternoon (and morning) going through the official unity tutorials. The main coding language seems to be a choice of Javascript, C# or Boo (uh.....)
Wee! Whilst I can understand what the code is doing, the syntax side of things leaves me pondering if I really want to pick up (or re-pick up) another programming language.
Oh well, time for more tea and some music.
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