PF 2011

and have a nice christmas all readers of this blog! :)

and more about the amazing Kinect system

why new technologies are so exciting, the answer is right here! :) (czech language)

http://pctuning.tyden.cz/component/content/article/1-aktualni-zpravy/19601-na-hacknuty-kinect-a-pocitace-miri-prvni-porno-hra-video

Blender/Houdini python API

I have just looked into Blender scripting API, which is all done in python, being curious... This is how Maya python API should look like, or similar. Just looking in the way how it`s all object oriented, easy getting information about the scene as we first get the scene object and then use scene object methods, and so on.. below is one simple example:

from Blender import Curve, Object, Scene
cu = Curve.New() # create new curve data
scn = Scene.GetCurrent() # get current scene
ob = scn.objects.new(cu) # make a new curve from the curve data

http://www.blender.org/documentation/249PythonDoc/

Then I thought I would look at Houdini as well, because it also uses python. And here is one example from it. Making a geometry object (not actual mesh) to create a poly cube and subdivide it:

>>> # Build a simple sop network.

>>> hou.hipFile.clear()

>>> geo = hou.node('/obj').createNode('geo')

>>> box = geo.createNode('box')

>>> subd = geo.createNode('subdivide')

>>> subd.parm('iterations').set(3)

>>> subd.setFirstInput(box)

http://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini9.5/hom/intro

Something for Autodesk to think about :) Especially because python is taking over and considerable time is spent by studios to build their script libraries for Maya. A proper implementation would help and make lot of code writing not needed. OpenSource codes like PyMel or MRV can help, but it`s only wrappers which add another layer (not supported by Autodesk) on top of main architecture made from MEL-to-python commands and SWIG binded C++ API. Also using this python Maya API in scripts doesn`t support undo.

After "first look" comparing, Blender and Houdini scripting API seems a lot better.

hacked Microsoft Kinect cam used for home UAV

What was Horton movie really about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp89dAtWxxo

So I realized today that the main message of the Horton movie, at least for me, was the freedom of speech and the right to think freely. The movie was about 2 of the basic human rights.

We see the first warnings from Kangaroo to discourage Horton to talk and think about the little people living in the Speck. Then hiring the "secret police" vulture going after him. Another interesting point - Kangaroo doesn`t want to get her hands dirty, but outsider vulture can do it. The conflict ends up in a witch-hunt with a public trial with crowd of easily manipulated Monkies who only care about the basic life - have kids and enough food.

Ironically, exactly the same problem is in the "Speck" world. The city council stands against any suggestions that there is a Voice warning them of apocalypse of their little world. This seems a little like 1950`s Communists - "The jungle" and McCarthyism in United States - "Whoville City" :)

In the end both worlds connect by the loud noise from the Speck and the dark spells of mind blankets are broken.

This was one of the most original story (yet adapted from Dr.Seuss' book) made by Blue Sky Studios. I`m glad someone was able to transform these ideas into the new 3d animation media that kids watch today.

Development Story of Doom 3 (in 3 parts)

who reads this blog for longer knows that I`m a fan of id software. I found this 3 part documentary on youtube (2007?) about their development of Doom III. Now there is rather critique given on this sequel, as talking about the change in new game R@GE but it`s true that this sci-fi horror atmosphere was amazing. And based on old-school shooting action with great looking levels and creatures.

part 1

part 2

part 3