Archive for October, 2008

ESPN-NASCAR Results Simulator

October 22, 2008

During the last months, our friends from Blitz have been busy with the ESPN-NASCAR Results Simulator, which turns out to be quite an amazing technical feat.

1. Click and drag the drivers to the positions where you think they’ll finish in next week’s race.

2. Give a “Led a Lap” flag to any driver you think will lead a lap and give a “Led Most Laps” flag to the driver you think will lead the most laps. These flags will help you see how your predicting skills measure up when you review your accuracy after each race.

3. When the Results Simulator has finished you will be taken to the Overall Standings page, where your personal results are displayed. From here you can print your simulation, send it to a friend, or save it. Saving will allow you to revisit past predictions and review your prediction history. Just create a login and click your name at the top right any time you want to see how you’re doing.

Posted in Gallery, Websites | 1 Comment »

Papervision QuadTree Support

October 14, 2008

That’s right!  Papervision3D now has integrated QuadTree support.  For those of you who aren’t sure what this means – it is a technique of subdividing the screen into smaller and smaller regions to resolve potential conflicts between triangles.  This is one solution to the common error found in the Painter’s algorithm that Papervision, (and all Flash3D engines) uses.

Papervision3D isn’t the first engine to incorporate QuadTrees into 3D Flash – and this is actually a port from Away3D.  Those guys did a phenomenal job at implementing QuadTrees into their engine – and after scouring the math and structure, very few changes were actually made to it – mostly just some big changes to get it working in Papervision, and a few extra features to help you out.  Be sure to give the Away team huge props for their work.

So to start using it, you will need to update your SVN, and check out the new QuadrantRenderEngine class.  For some demos and a walkthrough on how to use it, as well as some of the nuances of the QuadTree, check out my post, Using QuadTrees In Papervision3D.

In terms of what this means for the engine, it is a good step forward for Papervision3D.  Not only does it now give users 1 more option for handling z-fighting – it also setup the engine for some cool new features that will be coming out soon, including BSP and 2D clipping.  In addition, it got me going through the engine, and found some things that needed to be cleaned up.  All in all – it only means great things for the community.

Enjoy!

Posted in Demos, News | 29 Comments »

Adobe MAX 2008 Europe

October 9, 2008

Taking place in Milan on December 1st – 3rd, Adobe MAX 2008 Europe is shaping up quite nicely, particularly for those interested in realtime 3D engines for Flash.

My session titled Advanced Papervision3D will happen on Monday 1st at 16:30:

Dive deep into the third dimension with the creator of Papervision3D and discover the secrets behind the latest interactive 3D experiences. The session will focus on the techniques, workflow and planning necessary to overcome the creative and technical challenges of real time 3D in Flash, giving an inside view of the entire creation process, from concept and planning, to development and art production.

Look forward to see you there!

Posted in Presentations | 4 Comments »

PV3D Showcase: 9 Cool Experiments in 3D

October 8, 2008



Posted in Demos, Showcase, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

KARIMCZ

October 8, 2008

Philippe Roy is the very talented designer behind the portfolio of Karim Charlebois-Zariffa.

Philippe had his PV3D initiation last February in San Francisco, in the class of John Grden, and since then, he’s been working on the website.

A great and simple 3D navigation. Very slick altogether.

Posted in Gallery, Websites | Leave a Comment »

Flash Gear Solid VR

October 5, 2008

Inspired in Metal Gear Solid VR Missions for the original PlayStation, Flash Gear Solid VR is a little 3D puzzle/shooter game that’s quite challenging and fun to play. An absolute must for MGS fans.

Your mission is simple. Use your remote control Nikita missiles to destroy all of the targets in each level. Use a variety of techniques to get the fastest time and claim first place. Beat all of the levels to find out what is in the box! Be sure to use the First Person View to better explore your surroundings.

Uses Papervision for the rendering of the VR environment for both the Top Down View and First Person View. The game information panels and background are 2D overlayed over or beneath the PV3D viewport.

Created by Ray Wu, who works in the US healthcare industry but does some Flash game programming on the side for fun.

Posted in Gallery, Games | 12 Comments »