Ruarri

As my Specialist project was completed last year I am focusing this year on learning UDK/Unity and trying to understand the various ways that 3D environments are created for game Mods these days. I was an avid level builder when Duke 3D released its Build Engine and I hope to learn enough to pick up where I left off in these new Engines.
I am also trying to further my exploration into Augmented Reality by learning how to set up a QR to Smart Phone database for displaying 3D image models, so that LET can use Harold3D to promote their activities via the stickers they hand out at events. Once I grasp this I can create an e-learning tool to teach the process for my e-learning competency. (assuming the Hospital gives me enough days to study at home!)
I will have to search for a second topic for e-learning as everyone discussing Flash (my original idea base) has been scathing. It is just too outdated now.

The games' 3rd itteration is complete and seems to play fairly, although totally and deliberately unbalanced. Hopefully the players will be unbalanced after playing it - just like real life.

Level editing continues as the logistics of Real People Sizes take time to determine. Small offices are larger than they look...

PS:
Drekart 33 numbnuts!

Yay! The Gallery is now in the right menu! The uploader throws a few wobblies for some reason but it works as desired.

Assignment 5 is done, 4 is still being finalised, and 6 is underway. Gotta find time to actually study the program (UDK) but Hospital work keeps cropping uThe boardgame is looking good now.

As I have already completed a Major Project this is not so relevant, but these are what I hope to gain from creating a game scene/walkthru:
- Knowledge of UDK and how to build in it.
- Knowledge of Kismet action triggers and trees.
- Special effect creation for maps (earthquakes, fire/water, collapsing walls, etc.)
- Modding knowhow.
- Character redesign.
- basics of game creation in an engine. (not just Unreal Tourney maps).

Beyond this I have little idea what to expect.

AArgh! Again the brick walls of Murphy descend before me to hinder my progress!
Computer trouble dogs my days in 2012 it seems. Having got my new computer and Flashed the BIOS to F7, I cannot find my MSOffice disks, so while I have all the graphical tools I need, I still need to use my brother's computer for any word processing. Beyond that the Brand New power box I bought to get my old computer back in action EXPOLDED dramatically the moment it was turned on - so I still have no access to my old files, short of dismanthling the case.
Installing stuff on the new computer has taken 2 days from the long weekend and I am still behind on all things. >|O

In other news the play I am in, "Sherlock Holmes", has seen me promoted from playing 'Lestrade' to 'Watson'. It seems I am English enough to do the part believably. If I can remember it all....

Having failed to garner enough time to compile my assessments for 2011 I am back studying in 2012. This year has been a disaster from the start as nothing fits into the desired time, and the Gremlins have gone ballistic at every opportunity.
Thus far I have had to perform major upgrades to my system to do my work, the uprades requred further upgrades, then joomla would not behave and Artisteer would not design to specifiation, Then, just as things esttled down, the power pack in my computer packed it in, the new computer I ordered got put on Backorder in it entirety, and the Web disconnected from my emergency machine. Finally, having got my new machine a month late, the BIOS for the motherboard (made for the processor I ordered) was out of date - Processor BIOS=F6, MB BIOS=F2! So I am delayed further trying to find and F2 chip to Flash the BIOS up to where it will recognise the chip I have. >P
My website, due in mid Jan, is now unfinished mid March, and I am despairing of getting it, or anything else, done. My computer time gets eaten by employment time, and Murphy still intrudes in all plans.
Thankfully I have passed my Core units and the 3D section of the other units.
On to the rest...

I hope the readers of this have a better 2012 than I.

Well...The reading of the new play 'Sherlock Holmes' went well and the plot looks good. The adaptions amused many and non-purists will love it, I think.
Our Moriarty and Grace have very appropriate voices and Ruth's multipart 'game' was funny. All in all I have high hopes for this one. We just need to source enough Period furnishings and clothes.

Well...That was 2011, that was.
It seems I still have a position at the Hospital next year, which is good,although I also still have a $#*!load of work to do to complete my assessment.
Harold 3D was finally handed over on the 23rd of November and I am using the Handover as my basis for Presentation 3, as the Melbourne presentation has been deferred to late February. Unfortunately the Secretary collapsed after the meeting and she was the one extracting the film of the Presentation from the LC camera (se's o.k.). This will delay completing the assessment until December sometime. The Handover and sign-off went well and Ann from LEV was very enthused by the possibilities of the project. Unfortunately no other LEA reps were able to attend, which makes for a rather small review pool...
Still, That is now outr of the way and I can at last finish the Manage Projects Workbook...and the e-learning module...and this blog plan...and... ...
(*sigh*)

It has happened again! Somewhere a glitch has occurred without warning and the bones in Harold have detached from each other.
All bones now work from a central pivot point rather than a terminal one, even though the terminus is defined as the point in the heirarchy.
This is prevalent in the backup files too...the whole rigging project just forced a re-start. >^<

This is pissing me off more than a little. 4 weeks to signoff and only a set and a model to show for it.

Rigging characters is definitely a Masters or PhD task.

Massive rethink needed....

what the F*@#??

Well, assessments begun and Harold is fighting me.
The biped failed because of a skin/geometry error that could not be fixed, so I have re-boned Harold from scratch using free-bones only.

This has added the problem that Harold's limbs have no limits so he is double jointed
and that I must link the bones into sub-control sets to make animation easier. I haver no idea how to do this...
Time is against me at all points and work is multiplying rather than reducing.
The model now works but cannot be transferred to the Set. Thankfully the Set is complete and successful.

The Harold AR project goes well, LET having accepted it and rated my presentation.
Presentations for Harold AR, Harold 3D, and iBoards are mooted for November in Melbourne.