Idea Development:

...still bouncing ideas around in our group, we decided that we don't necessarily need to focus on getting the drivers attention, but could use traffic lights in another way to trigger our sensor. When traffic lights are red, the 'walk' sign is displayed. We could us the light from this signal to trigger our sensor, and in turn project an image onto the zebra crossing. I like this idea as it has more potential with what we can achieve.

The beginnings of an idea...

As I have mentioned this module now requires us to make a project that uses an Arduino board as well as low tech actuators and senors to interact with people in the area. As we had already been focusing on light as a factor last term, this definitely seemed to be the right route to take the project.

We were aiming to use traffic lights as the trigger for the sensor, but as we heard many of the students in other groups were also planning to use them, so we came up with car headlights. If we could pinpoint a spot where car headlights hit every time they passed on their journey along a road, we could place our sensor there.

We then started bouncing more ideas around and came up with how we were going to interact with the drivers of the cars. If we used the sensor to turn on a projector once it was exposed to light, we could project an image on another wall to attract drivers attention as they pass by. The nice thing about this is that it would be triggered by the drivers lights, so it would only be on as long as they passed by. The fact that theres nothing, then suddenly an image appears, and once they pass by its gone again should be enough to get their attention.

As good as this sounded to us, we then realised as effective as it may be, may not be so wise to attempt to attract the drivers attention from the road on purpose...so we decided maybe a good idea to find a spot where the headlights hit while the car was stationary, this way the car driver or any of the surrounding would not be in danger. We also decided we were more likely to catch their attention as they wouldn't be so focused on the road, giving our projection more of a chance to be seen.

Another good example:

Now that I have been researching all the different uses the Arduino board and sensors has, my Youtube account has been flooded with suggested videos that are of a related subject. Below is video that was suggested and shows exactly the kind of hacking this module has been introducing us to.

With all the different possible hacks there is very little that cant be achieved. I also found this particular video useful as we as a group have decided to continue focusing on light as a varying factor. This video uses a light sensor to trigger a switch, which is exactly the kind of hack we want to use. The ideas we came up with will be posted soon.

Arduino Boards With Sensors:

Not only can Arduino deal with simple programming to control its outputs, but it can also have sensors attached and allow inputs to control how the board behaves. (briefly talked about in precious post)

For example, If a infra red sensor was attached to the board, and the board was programmed so that once the infra red detects an object in its path, the board could control something it is connected to to change.

A good demonstration of this example is an Arduino board hooked up to a remote control car, only the cars steering is controlled by the board and the board changes direction depending on the infra red sensor. So, if the infra red detects an object in the cars way, the arduino board changes direction, but if all is clear the car will continue to travel until the sensor detects otherwise.

Arduino Boards:

This module has now taken a leap into a new way of interacting with our audience in the Stonehouse area. By using low tech sensors and actuators connected to an Arduino board, there are many different ways we can develop a project that can interact with people by changes in the environment.

An Arduino board is a printed circuit board with a processor that works along side arduino programming to manipulate its analogue/digital outputs/inputs.

Arduino boards require simple scripting from Arduino software to be programmed to control the behaviour of its pins. The Arduino programming can also be used along side Processing to produce interesting projects.

To look up this example, check out physicalpixel.com

Below is a video that shows a few examples of some low tech sensors and actuators. A sensor picks up a change in its surroundings therefore reacts as a response. By combining all of these the potential for interaction with passers by is enormous. I have now used the Arduino board as well as currently learning processing in IDAT 102, with this and the research I have now done there are many ideas me and my group have to play with.

Low tech sensors and actuators:

Lowtech Sensors and Actuators from Adam Somlai-Fischer on Vimeo.

More Augmented Reality:

Other examples for this technology as I previously mentioned is in entertainment.

Below are a couple of videos that give good examples of where and how it can be used to enhance the enjoyment and visual quality of a game:

I really like the example above as not only does it work along side the game, but it also improves the game play. By showing the angles the shots must take, this will help teach the user and improve their skill once the augmented reality is taken away.

And this final example is my favourite. This is because it makes the game play much more real. By taking a real environment and placing graphic images into the scene with augmented reality also make the game play much more physical. The user must move which makes the game much more interactive. It also provides much more potential to turn the game into a game that can b more enjoyed as well improve the fitness of users.

Augmented Reality:

Augmented Reality (AR) is a real time mixed reality technology that uses computer generated imagery in live video streams to enhance the real world environment. This media has many applications that can effect the users in many different ways.

A commonly seen example of augmented reality is the lines that are visible on live television during sports to display where certain marks are on the pitch, in American football for example, or the lanes of a swimming pool.

Examples of these are shown below:

Other uses can be more interactive, for example education, gaming and entertainment can now be greatly improved through the use of augmented reality.

below is a video I found on Youtube that demonstrates how children can use this technology to further educate themselves in many subjects.

BMW Example:

Below is a video that shows another use of this technology. It no longer requires professionals to be able to carry out complex tasks in any field as each job can be programmed once, which will allow anyone to follow the instructions being shown.

The Finished Animation:

Finishing Touches:

I have now completed the modelling side of the skateboard and is now time to animate. As mentioned in my previous post I want the animation to begin with all the individual components separated to demonstrate that the model is in fact made up of all the necessary pieces and not just one object that is made to appear as if it is.

Above shows the beginning of the animation, showing all the pieces away from each other. I have also added a floor with a concrete material and obstacle with plywood images to give the animation more of a realistic feel, I also used the same graphic as NPNG Skateboards. The reason for this is that I skate in the team myself and links the animation to me.

I have also changed the animation slightly. I figured that with this powerful program I am able to achieve pretty much anything I wish to create, so why not make it better . Instead of simply rolling along and mimicing the motion of a 360 flip, why not use the wooden block I created and making the trick a little more technical. With the beginning of the animation still the same (all components separated and coming together), I will now animate it so that the completed set up will roll to the wooden block, nose manual along, then nollie tre flip off the end. This will make the clip more enjoyable to watch and make the animation a little more exciting. I got this idea of building a wooden block and animating a more complex trick from an old skateboarding video I know well, called Deca 2nd to none, as shown below:

Once I was happy with the animation, It was then time to add the camera to capture the squence. I also positioned a light on one side of the wooden box to give the effect that there was a generator on one side. Below is a screen shot of the camera being positioned:

And below is just a shot to show a close up of all the components together with there materials and graphics applied. (un-rendered)

So Far So Good:

Now that I have a clear focus of the direction I want this 3D object to take, it's now time to begin making it.

I started by building each of the individual components separately by following the photos I took of my own set up, shown below:

Close up of the wheel, bearing and nut:

Close up of the truck:

The con-caved tail/nose:

I then broke the skateboard down into 3 separate objects to make it easier for myself, the deck, trucks, wheels (inc. bearings) as an be seen in the three images above. Firstly I made a wheel, bearing and nut for the truck, each were scaled so that they could all fit together ready for the animation. I also only made one wheel, as after one was complete, it's just a case of copying the object and pasting it back onto the stage, Another reason for doing this aside from saving time is that the scale of each wheel will be exactly the same.

As shown below:

I then built the deck. This requires the least amount of work as it is simply a rectangle, with two circles on either end which I will bend to create the concave of a real skateboard, chamfering the edges for that rounded look.

Shown below: (without concave)

I then made the truck, this was easily the hardest component to build as it requires the most amount of individual parts and all must be angled co

rrectly for them all to fit together realistically.

Below is How the trucks look so far:

And here is how it looks together:

Don't forget it's still early days and far from finished! I still have to bend the ends for the concave look, apply realistic materials to all the components, place the graphic on the underside of the deck and then animate it as I intended in the previous post..but it's certainly a good start.

3D modelling:

For my latest assignment in this module, I have been set the task of producing a 3D object of my choice that represents me in some way. Naturally, I decided to build a skateboard. The programme Vlad has began to teach us to use is 3D Studio Max and in the few tutorials provided it has proven to be a very powerful tool.

Below is a short video as an example of what can be achieved with this programme:

Clearly this is something that has taken a fair amount of time to produce, but I hope to make something similar but by making a skateboard animation.

The animation I am hoping to create is a recreation of the iron giant clip shown below. I am going to have all the individual components of the skateboard separated to begin with, but one by one slowly come together. Once all pieces are in place and become one object, I want to make the skateboard do a 360 flip. The reason for this is because it happens to be my favourite trick and also gives the view a chance to see the underneath of the deck. I want the views to see the underside of the deck as I will have an image on it. The image is going to be either one of two things, either an image of myself which will further link me to the object, or of the NPNG logo. This is because it would also relate to me and mates from back home.

I will decide this at a later date.

Iron Giant clip: (From 10:00 - 11:00 min)

This will allow the viewer to see all the components that make up a skateboard and also show the level of detail in the making.

Finally, below is a 360 flip performed for real to demonstrate how I will be animating the skateboard once all the components are together:

If I can achieve all of these aims I will definitely be pleased with the final result.

Back to the Drawing Board

Now that I have a website with basic HTML I feel its definitely about time I began to develop it and transform it into something I can be proud of. It currently only has small amounts of video and images and mainly consists of text which is exactly the opposite of what I want it to be. as shown in my research all the blogs and websites I have interest in are media based and would very much like to follow that style.

As the site was originally only produced for an assignment it only has a few links on it to different pages. However, this is definitely a site I w

ant to begin to grow. I liked the fact that the links were situated at the top of the page, but now I feel I will soon run out of space along the top as I build the pages and feel it would be much easier when adding links if they ran down the left hand side of the site.

Below is a site that I have recently come across as I have been looking into photography lately.

This is a screen shot of Harookz Photography. This site was actually sent to me by a mountain biking friend who is also very much into photography. The fact that there is not an awful lot going on I find helps focus the links to different areas on the site, as well as the page links being completely separated from the main content. Another reason I like this is it is the images take up the majority of the page. This is exactly the type of thing I'm after. I want my site to be very much a visual based site, rather than a textual one.

Example of a gallery:

Another thing this site has emphasised is that my current website does not have a photo gallery. I have simply placed a small portion of my skate photos onto the HTML page and separated them with page break tags. This is definitely something I must research in to build my own as I have over 3000 traveling photos that I'd very much like to share, as well as a separate skateboarding gallery!

The site also has its own blog hosted upon it. This is another aspect that I definitely would like to use. This would keep by blog linked to my website and keep it all together. I'd also like to make another blog, one for my university work which is the reason for this one, but an additional one for my personal blogging. As I enjoy photography, video making and skating myself, I'd definitely be able to update a personal blog with all sorts of different antics I manage to get myself in.

Example of blog on Harookz website:

All images taken from Harookz Photography website, check it out.

Web space identity:

When I made my website, I also designed a logo/image that I could be identified by. However there was nothing that linked my blog to my website/me. So I have now changed the header of my blog to the same image as my website. This will help identify both my website and blog as being produced by the same person. Not only that but I have also changed my Twitter background to the same image for the same reasons.

Website:

Blog:

Twitter:

It is now clear that these pages are now linked by the same logo and should now make it easier to identify that they all come from the same source.

Visual Complexity:

Visual complexity is a website that displays many galleries of art and images that show different kinds of data representations. One of the galleries I am particularly interested in is its social networks gallery. This gives many examples of the way we can interoperate social networking visually.

Check it out at: Visual Complexity.com

One of the social networks projects I found of interest was the twitter analysis carried out by Akshay Java, and made images based on the results obtained. The two images show the difference visually by people who follow people on Twitter that they do not know, against people who are actually mutual friends.

Below are the images:

This image shows the amount of people who follow each other, but are not mutual friends.

And this image shows the comparison when only looking at Twitter users who are friends. as this shows there are only very few people that actually know the various people they follow.

I find this interesting as being a Twitter user I can agree that there is only a small percentage of the people I am following that I do actually know. This goes to show how much people are interested in others thoughts and feelings even though we may not know them personally.

These images were taken from: http://visualcomplexity.com/vc/project_details.cfm?id=594&index=76&domain=Social%20Networks

GPS Navigation:

Now that I have researched into GPS and have a greater understanding of the possibilities that can be achieved, It was time to create my own. With the same group as last Term we set out with a GPS device and decided to map out a route. The route had a set rule which was to find the nearest security camera to the university, track this location, and then continue to walk until we found another camera, track that one and so on... This would allow us to then plot all the tracked location on Google maps and give us an indication of 'safe zones' within the city centre.

Below is the map with the GPS locations posted which shows the route we took.

This clearly shows where many of the cameras are in the city centre and now this information has been obtained I am able to create a similar map, but colour coded as safe zones in the area. This could be used by others for an indication of how to plan a route when travelling alone, giving the safest possible journey.

Below are the colour coded maps:

The green ovals show the exact locations of the cameras. The fact that the ovals are green represent safe zones in the area as cameras provide protection due to people less likely to committing crimes if they are being watched.

The yellow sphere in the centre is present to show a relatively safe zone, it is not in direct view of the cameras, but the entire yellow area is surrounded by them. This is at least an area that people are less likely to feel at risk.

Finally this last image shows the entire map as a coloured indication of how safe the areas are. The places in direct view of the cameras are in green, followed by fairly safe areas in yellow, then not so much in pink and not at all/unknown in red.