Arch1392 Collaboration Studio - Urbans

Say a big thanks to my group mates and tutors

2009-06-11T01:17:00.001-07:00

Since I am going back to my home country on 12th June, and I am not able to show up for the final presentation day. However, I would like to say thankyou so much to my group mates and tutors, thanks for your understanding. And it was an awesome experience to work with you guys, thanks for Jeremy's hat. lol

Anyway all the best and good luck on the presentation

love
Pui Pui xoxo

Final assignment

2009-06-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

In Week 11 studio class, after the discussion with our tutors, me and my group mate Michael and Gordon decided a few things that we have to develop. I am assigned to fix the problems of the model in 3ds Max, and pass the individual 3ds files to Michael, so that he can export these elements into crysis earlier; Gordon is in charge with the environment development.

Here are some captures during modifying the model in 3ds Max.

Internal Stairs in progress:

Level 2 platfrom in progress

Railing for level 2 platfrom in progress

Level 2 Entrance in progress

External Wall edit in progress

Stairs at the base in progress

Pyramid stairs in progress

Internal Curve Wall in progress

Tunnel for entering the hall and stairs

Assignment 2 Contribution

2009-05-09T01:24:00.001-07:00

Rebuild the Cenotaph model in 3Ds Max
Apply material in 3Ds Max
Model the light Feature (SUN feature) in 3Ds Max
Import the model to Crysis Editor from 3Ds Max
Create and arrange the hedges on Centaph in Crysis
Create and apply material for Cenotaph in Crysis
Final Video Editing
Update the Team Blog

Final render of our project

2009-05-09T01:07:00.001-07:00

Challenges during the design process

2009-05-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

Challenges during the design process

We have faced many troubles and frustrations during the whole project development, including the technical problems and also the collaboration; yet they all have been solved and finally we get our model done quite well. It is necessary to record the challenges or faults, as they can remind us not to let the mistakes happened again, also keep a record of our design process.

1. Collaboration with ‘New’ team member
Collaborate with someone never work together before or even totally stranger, is always happens in the real world. Our team members in this studio were picked randomly by choosing number tickets from a ‘Hat’, which is a really good experience that I can work with someone that I never work together before, and learn how to communicate and expressing myself. I think our team are working a bit harder than the other group, as Gordon – one of our team members- is living in Perth, so we cannot meet up quite often and only rely on phone or e-mail. Yet Gordon is a really good partner to work with as he is responsible and smart, so the distance does not make our process too difficult. And the other group mates Joanne and Michael, they are also helpful and funny, I had so much fun to work with them. We assigned the work evenly according to our strengths, which let our design process smoother and efficiently.

2. Building the model
We have the most challenge on building the model as we do not have the accurate measurement or any detail about the Cenotaph. To get the nearest result, Joanne built the model in ArchiCAD by the following the scale of the imported section of Cenotaph picture; yet it seems not looking very good after we imported it into 3Ds Max, so I rebuilt the model again in 3Ds Max by using Joanne’s Model as a reference, and add more detail to it, then the model looks quite well and achieved the sense of elegant.

3. Import from 3Ds Max to Crysis
Micheal and I spent nearly two days for importing the model from 3Ds Max to Crysis and we were quite frustrated because somehow it did not work well.

The first challenge is the SDK plug in does not support 3Ds Max 2009 which I used to built the model; so I have to

export the model from .max to .3ds format in 3Ds Max 2009

- go file > export > choose .3ds format

Then import the .3ds file to 3Ds Max 2008

- go File > Import> choose the 3ds file > then completely replace the current sence

Use SDK plug in to save the model as .cgf format

- Firstly save the 3ds file as .max to
C:\Program files\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis\Game\Objects
- Group all objects and Name it the same name you just saved it as
- Select the whole object and go to Utilities on the left hand side tool bar, choose the cry engine exporter
- add selected
- Choose ‘Export to Geometry (*.cgf)”
- Then click ‘Export Nodes’ to
C:\Program files\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis\Game\Objects

Import to crysis by the following steps:

- Create a terrain
- Go to objects in your roll over menu (right hand side)
- Select Brush
- Your new object you just exported should be in the list
- drag it into your terrain

However, when we try to import the model to crysis, we found that the material I made in 3Ds Max does not work in crysis editor; and also some elements does not show in the editor correctly because of too many vertices. So I spit the model into parts according to their materials, and do the steps above again.

Hedges

2009-05-06T01:10:00.000-07:00

In the orginal design there are some hedges surrounding each level of Cenotaph. Firstly, I made the hedges in 3Ds Max, however it cannot be imported into Crysis because of too many vertices. So I used the tree in GeomEntities in Crysis Editor, clone and rotate each of them to make them fit the edge of the slabs. And I also double the layer for each hedge, in order to create a rich density for the hedges to match with the original design.

ps. The reason that I didn't use the trees in vegetation is, because the trees in vegetation category are only allow to place on the ground,which cannot fulfill our needs.

Hedges in 3Ds Max

The material of the hedges lost after imported to Crysis from 3Ds Max

In Crysis Editor, the Geom Entities Under thr roller bar

Snap shot of how I clone and rotate the hedges in Crysis

The top view of Cenotaph after applying the hedges

Light feature 3Ds max file

2009-05-03T01:41:00.000-07:00

http://files.filefront.com/Demo+2+lightmax/;13699731;/fileinfo.html

Process of applying material in Crysis

2009-05-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

Michael and I were quite struggling about the material part, because the material I made in 3Ds Max can not be imported into Crysis successfully, so we decided to make the material in Crysis Material Editor.

Selected materials:

(Sphere Exterior)

Option 1 : White Marble (Selected as Final)

Option 2: botticino grey marble

Option 3: MW Beige, marble

(Rafters)

Dark Wood

(Base of Cenotaph)

Option 1: Sandstone shape (Selected as Final)

Option 2: Sandstone Tiles

Option 3: sandstone scenery

Option 4: Sandstone shape

Steps for importing custom texture to crysis:

1. Create a folder named "textures" inside your project folder, inside of crysis

eg. C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis\Game\Levels\Cenotaph\Textures

Save the new texture as a material file (*.mtl)

2. Import custom textures

The material editor in Crysis only support .dds format picture, so we use 'paint.net' a image converter to convert our selected images from .jpg to .dds (figure 1)

Also the size of the images must be 128X128 pixels in order to import to crysis successfully. And place the .dds image to the folder just create in step 1 (figure 2)

(figure 1)

(Figure 2)

3. In Material Editor, there are some very useful settings which can create the most suitable material for our design. Including:

Diffuse - simply mean the appearance of the material. We apply the custom images on by clicking the right button next to the bar, and select the .dds image.

Under the 'Diffuse', there is a category called 'Rotator", which can make the texture rotate constantly. We used this function on the material of the light feature.

Bump - texture/ surface of the material. it also need to apply a image to in order to create a bumpy surface. lighter area of the image will be raised and darker area of the image will be appear as deeper. value range from 0-100

Here are some snap shot of the process of testing and creating the material in Crysis Material editor.

ps I found a quite useful sandbox editor manual on the web which help us a lot during the process of editing the material.

http://doc.crymod.com/SandboxManual/frames.html?frmname=topic&frmfile=index.html

File Front the completed folder of the model

2009-05-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

http://files.filefront.com/arch1392+assignment+2zip/;13698996;/fileinfo.html

Progress after week 7

2009-05-01T23:24:00.000-07:00

After the advice from Jeremy and Graham in week 7 studio, we realized that the weakness and insufficient of our model. As the previous model is an ArchiCAD model which created by Joanne, and we both reckon that it would take extra time if we go back and fix it in ArchiCAD, then export it again to 3Ds Max, then Crysis; so I suggested that I can re-build it in 3Ds Max straight forward instead of going back to ArchiCAD. It finally took me 6-7 hours to do it, but I think it really worth, as the model looks better and close to the original drawing; moreover, I add all the details (slabs, holes and plant) to the model and make it looks more elegant. Another benefit is I can edit the material easier, as each element of the model is independent and can be selected and apply material separately; instead of the model imported from ArchiCAD, all layers and elements are merged and cannot be edited individually.

Here are some pictures which I captured during the re-build progress.

And some render pictures of the model by using 3Ds Max

Entrance of the model

Record (revised)

2009-04-29T01:54:00.000-07:00

Why record?

Keep recording is important during the design process, not just record the correct result,
but also the mistakes; as it might help to get the develop process smoother and prevent the same mistake happen again.

According to Budd (1996), it is important to keep recording the procedure during the development process;
even though it might not be the final result, yet it may help to inspire the new or better ideas.
“Important to produce this (record) while the ideas are fresh, not in hindsight when many details will have been forgotten.” Said Budd (1996)

Record is not only being valuable during the design process,
as well as benefit for maintenance stage,
as Potts and Bruns mentioned,
“Without such a record a maintainer may repeat mistakes that were made by the original designer…” (p418,1987)

Reference

Budd T.A. 1996, p37, “Responsibility Driven Design”, Introduction To Object Oriented Programming, accessed 28.4.2009 from cs.kun.nl

Potts C and G Bruns, 1987, p418, “Recording the Reasons for Design Decisions”, accessed 28.4.2009 The ACM Digital Library

The meaning of Records within our course

- may refer to keep the evidence and progress of our work.
Some courses require us to write or draw on the journal; some may need us to show works to tutor regularly.
Collaboration Studio is a computer based course,
so we are required to update our individual blog and team blog in order to show the efforts we put in this course,
not only for tutors, but also colleague.

Moreover, we also share our knowledge on the class wiki,
which another way to record our contribution to this course.

Lighting feature of Cénotaphe de Newton

2009-04-15T00:16:00.000-07:00

In the Easter break,
I was assigned to model the lighting feature of Cénotaphe de Newton.
As we do not have the measurement of the actual model,
so it would be a challenge of redesign the scale by myself.

I built the lighting model in 3Ds Max,
and also apply the most approximate material on it.
Finally it looks quite good.

Here are some captures and video.

Video of the ring spin over the sphere(light)

The next stage, I am going to import this model in to crysis,
and also figure out how to use flow graphs to make the ring spin.

Method of importing CGF file into Crysis Editor

2009-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

1. Create a folder named "objects" under the directory
C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis\Game\

2. put the CGF file in the "objects" folder

3. Launch the editor

4. from the RollUp bar, choose brush

5. choose the imported CGF file in the browser

5. Drag the file to the map.

a. Synchronous Messaging; e.g. Skype, Team Speak, MSN

2009-04-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Synchronous messaging describes communications that takes place between two applications or systems, where the system places a message in a message queue (also called an Event Queue in enterprise messaging systems) and then waits for a message response before it continues processing.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/synchronous_messaging.html

Synchronous messaging is a huge benefit for collaborating with group mates, especially it has no distance, time and location limited once there is Internet access.

The contrast between synchronous messaging and asynchronous Messaging is the interactions between the userS, which allow more than 2 people to interact in the same time, people can either chat through messages, talk and video talk.

The Synchronous messaging example including Skype, Team Speak and MSN, another example including ICQ, Net Meeting etc.

Convert 3Ds Max file to CGF file

2009-04-01T08:34:00.001-07:00

In 3Ds Max,

1. choose Utiuties from the tool bar left hand side,

2. Choose "MORE" button

3. Select Cry Engine Exporter from the list.

ps. Need to download a program called "SDK" before converting the file

Here are some snap shots from 3Ds Max of our model

Tech test - Lighting within Crysis

2009-04-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Lighting is one of the main features of our selected unbuilt Architecture.

So I did a quick test for the lighting in crysis.

1. turn the Time of day to NIGHT.
simply choose Terrain > Time of Day, and upload a suitable default setting from library.

2. In the RollUp bar, under 'Objects' choose "entity",
find and expand the 'Light' folder from the browser.

Indirect light
- radius - 100

I chose red to be the diffuse color,
because it would be easy to reckon the result.

Here are some images of the result.

Light within the model

Light at outdoor - interior perspective within the sphere

Captured images of tutorials from InCrysis

2009-04-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

http://konakona.nbtxathcx.net/sb2/

Creating a new map

we edited the terrain by setting the slope angles and adding material.

Vegetation

Adding the palm trees from the vegetation library to make the map more interesting.

Modifying Terrain

Using the 'paint' function in 'edit terrain' to flatten the land,

which can provide more space for creating objects in game.

Placing Objects

There are many awesome default models in the entity library,

which can easily import to the map.

Prefabs

Adding the objects from the library which can be punch around.

Voxels

This is a excellent function to edit terrain and make the map being specific and interesting.

an easy but powerful tools to make the differences.

Time of Day

The lightness of sky can be edited in crysis by importing the default time of day file.

In this tutorial, the environment is brighter than the previous images,

which can create the suitable scene for different purposes.

Solids

Use vertex, edge, face and polygon to edit the shape of solids

Roads

using the Misc funtion to draw the path of the road,

and it will curve automatically

Adding AI

Adding the default AI can make more fun of the map,

which the AI would attack the player ingame.

Flow Graphs

Using the flow Graphs to make the interaction within the game,

these reactions can be set by using trigger and other nodes.

AI walk from the triggle to the tag point

Example to make the AI get on the vehicle.

New blog

2009-04-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

We changed our team blog and my individual blog from tumblr to blogspot, as we found that blogspot is more user friendly and clearer interface (we can put the links on the side of our blog which more convenience for us to work with.)
During our group meeting, we compared the strength and weakness of these two blogs , finally we decided to move all our stuff from the original tumblr to the blogspot.

context

2009-03-31T01:36:00.003-07:00

con·text

1. The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

2. The circumstances in which an event occurs; a setting.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/CONTEXT

The context in our project may refer to all elements within the model, including the existing element for example landscape, building itself, interior, lighting etc; also including the hiding elements such as concept, used computer programs, team members etc. Each of them can determines or affect the final result of the project.

Records

2009-03-31T01:36:00.001-07:00

re·cord

v. re·cord·ed, re·cord·ing, re·cords

v.tr.

1. To set down for preservation in writing or other permanent form.

2. To register or indicate: The clerk recorded the votes.

a. To register (sound or images) in permanent form by mechanical or electrical means for reproduction.

b. To register the words, sound, appearance, or performance of by such means: recorded the oldest townspeople on tape; recorded the violin concerto.

v.intr.

To record something.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/records

The meaning of Records within our course may refer to keep the evidence and progress of our work. Some courses require us to write or draw on the journal; some may need us to show works to tutor regularly. Collaboration Studio is a computer based course, so we are required to update our individual blog and team blog in order to show the efforts we put in this course, not only for tutors, but also colleague.

Moreover, we also share our knowledge on the class wiki, which another way to record our contribution to this course.

Unbuilt Architecture Example

2009-03-31T01:35:00.001-07:00

Example 1 Tatlin’s tower

http://www.tatlinstowerandtheworld.net/

Tatlin’s Tower or The Monument to the Third International was a grand monumental building envisioned by the Russian artist and architect Vladimir Tatlin, but never built. It was planned to be erected in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, as the headquarters and monument of the Comintern (the third international).

Tatlin’s Constructivist tower was to be built from industrial materials: iron, glass and steel. In materials, shape, and function, it was envisioned as a towering symbol of modernity. It would have dwarfed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The tower’s main form was a twin helix which spiraled up to 400 m in height, which visitors would be transported around with the aid of various mechanical devices. The main framework would contain four large suspended geometric structures. These structures would rotate at different rates of speed. At the base of the structure was a cube which was designed as a venue for lectures, conferences and legislative meetings, and this would complete a rotation in the span of one year. Above the cube would be a smaller pyramid housing executive activities and completing a rotation once a month. Further up would be a cylinder, which was to house an information centre, issuing news bulletins and manifestos via telegraph, radio and loudspeaker, and would complete a rotation once a day. At the top, there would be a hemisphere for radio equipment. There were also plans to install a gigantic open-air screen on the cylinder, and a further projector which would be able to cast messages across the clouds on any overcast day.

There is a model of Tatlin’s Tower at the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, Sweden.

Example 2 UN Studio competition winning design for addition to te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New Zealand

http://www.reasonate.co.nz/project/Te_Papa_Museum_Extension