bgryderclock: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

Today I am 33

Today is my birthday. I am 33 years old. I have accomplished a few things this year.

Learned to use DDE and VBA to automate 100s of hours of manual data entry.
Learned how to query SQL records with javascript and export them to table and spreadsheets.
Finished recording a CD and held a 2 piece rock band together.
Maintained a great married with Penni.
Found some new good music: Dethklok, Amon Amarth, Lisa Germano.
Maintained a respectable vegetarian diet, even bought some vegan skate shoes.
Joined a LUG and went to the SouthEast Linuxfest.

I have failed as well.

Failed to get back to my scientific ideal weight.
Failed to increase drumming skill, basically hovering at the same technical level as last year.

Oh well, I will try harder in 2010

Saturday, November 28, 2009

giant salt water fish tank in the middle of the waiting room

Woke up early to go with my wife to her primary care physician. There is giant salt water fish tank in the middle of the waiting room with a handrail around it. It is probably there to stop little kids from head butting the fish tank.

The main belt that powers the power-steering broke on the band van. Scott with I were going to fix it yesterday but I had to work over four hours and it was too dark to work on it outside.

I had lunch with penni parents on thanksgiving day. They gave me a nice portable laptop desk with fold out legs for my birthday.

Practice had been going well and I am a little less worried about the out of state gigs next week.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Emily Dickinson with a 4 track

Rainy and windy, drinking lots of coffee. 7 days till my birthday. I'm too worried about my classes and out of states shows to enjoy it. I need to plan something fun for my days off. Hmm, what is fun? Crazy music? Coffee? Vicious Sarcasm? (crap! :/)

Listened to the Lisa Germano - In The Maybe World album while driving the van home from practice. The "into oblivion" song is epic, really sad and creepy. The whole album has that "crazy woman with a 4 track" feel. Good stuff.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Welcome to the Fall

This has been a very busy couple of weeks. The rush to finish up the Rita's Gift CD and finish my two online class, AND to organize the string of out-of-states shows has stacked up like bricks on my chest. Penni has been great through the whole ordeal. I am the luckiest guy in the world. I'm considering taking a break from classes and trying piano lessons. If I could rip out a mini piano jam during a drum break, it would be very impressive.

Work is going well. The web front-end that I built for the weekly ATB data has been well received. I am thinking about rebuilding another database into a web tool using a GPL'ed JS library called sortTable from LUG Radio's own Stewart Langridge.

I have been listening to the new deathklok album way too much. I have been looking for more good metal and stumbled on to some new Sepultura stuff. It is good not to have to worry about an Emo melodic nu-metal chorus popping up mess up a good metal song.

The vegetarian thing that I am trying is working out ok. I have lost zero pounds from it and feel the same. I will probably have to eat a little turkey for thanksgiving but that isn't that big of a deal.

Woo.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Blogging excitement!

Listening to the Melvins, Taking a walk...

Sunday, November 8, 2009

IMG00006-20091108-1447.jpg

At Fish Taco with Penni, sitting right under a 200 pound wooden painting.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Black(berry) Power

This is a connectivity test from the bb

Gameplan for conquering the BlenderNewbies.org DVD tutorials.

*-add note and finished dates.

UI Navigation - 4/18/2009

Zoom for laptops = MMB + Ctrl
Maximize split screen = Ctrl+Up/Bottom Arrow.

The Power of Blender Screens - 4/18/2009

ctrl left/right = jump to layouts model,Animation, Model etc.. this will be useful to create layout for front, top, side, and camera views.

Navigating the Buttons Window - 4/18/2009

Button Panels can be maximized with ctrl+up.

Button Panels tabs can be stacked by LMB dragging and dropping them on top of each other.

RMB Click on the button panels to allign them vertically or horizontally.

Super Time-Saving Tips (Part 1) - 4/18/2009

Ctrl+L = link vertices (like you have a two spheres joined, just select a point on one sphere and Ctrl+L to select all whole sphere.

W key obj mode = boolean
edit mode = specials menu (common commands)

MMB = hold the MMB to constrain function like move, scale and rotate to X,Y, and Z axis

Mesh Tool Panel Centre Button = in edit mode it centers the off origin obj to the center point.

select swap button = inversed selected point vertices on an object.

hide and reveal selected faces with hide and reveal buttoms on mesh tools1 panel. (or HKey and Alt+HKey

Use Mesh Tools1 panel Button: Edge Length, Edge Angles and Face Area to show dimensions of line, angles and Area, (autocad style :D)

ctrl 1,2,3,4 = quickly change the subsurf modifier (awesome!)

select > random (random vertices!)

Alt+B to display only a part of the box selected object ( for quick screen fresh with complete objects.

Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V work for copying and pasting panel values (colors, text and numbers)

The Tab Key works in text and number entry fields

Ctrl+C works to copy attributes like size and rotation, select the obj to edit first, then the obj with the desired properties.

Pivot Power (Controlling the Scaling and Rotation Pivot) - 4/18/2009

the pivot button and "..." button can be used to rotate other object's center points around a selected object's center point. This would be useful in have objects "dance" in unison.

The 3D cursor location is set with the LMB Click.

The MKey in object mode displays the layers control. ( ie: Select a cube, press M, select layer 2.

O key = proportional select for laptop (???) research it

Moving, Rotating, and Scaling without Keystrokes - 4/18/2009

LMB draw straight line for MOVE
LMB draw a curve to ROTATE
LMB draw a sharp V to SCALE

It work on 2D Lines and curvers too.

Blender's Built-in HotKey and MouseAction Reference - 4/18/2009

under Help > HotKey and MouseAction Reference,
includes a search function.

Pimp your Blender - 4/18/2009

You can change the color of the dev lighting and change the color 3d space you model in.

Camera Panel, Scaling the Camera, Multiple Cameras - 4/19/2009

lens = zoom
clipping = where the camera view starts and end
name = toggles display of name of camera
passepartout = blacks out the area arround the camera view.
ctrl numpad zero = look through the selected camera (for laptop ???)

3D Ring Band - 4/19/2009

Ctrl N = used to flip normals, fixed smoothing/render errors.

Text in Blender Curves Editing Curves Oversampling (aka OSA or Anti-aliasing) - 4/19/09

you can split you screen and pipe the render result tto teh image editor screen with Screen panel > save buffer > image editor

use Render panel > Render tab > fields > Mitch for sharp renders

Cutting a Hole in Your Mesh - 4/20/09

Edit mode: Wkey subdivide mesh
delete a vertex: Xkey, select rim, shift+S for cursor to selection, Mesh Tools tab, ToSphere Button. extrude, then Control+R for ring select, Shift+E for Crease tool

Quick and Easy 360-degree Turntable Camera Setup - 4/20/09

Shift click layer control to enable layer

Parent camera to a rectangle, that is centered on the target. set the camera to track the object with Control+T.

Showcase your 3D Models with a Basic Studio-styled Setup

add plane obj under target to show shadows.

basic render settings:

Lamp button> Shadows and spots > Adaptive QMC
World button > Blend > blue and white gradient
World button > Amb Occ > approximate (better softer shadows) (missing in menu ???)

select plain > materials > Only shadow

Rendering Solid Wireframes (5/2/2009)

Shift key = fine moviements

Shift D for Dup,

Use zoffs value to offset visible wireframe material obj from solid material obj

Tweak the alpha setting of the wireframe obj to control the line thickness.

Materials: spec low, Hard low and Emit high for bright objects.

How to Animate a Cylinder along a Curve (5/17/2009)

Create a bezier curver and a bezier circle.

Rename the bezier circle to "cc" and then type in "cc" curve's BevObj field.

Enable the 3b button on the curve and surface panel to move the curve in 3d space.

DefResolU = high values for smoothness

select a endpoint and Alt+S to fatten a end of a tube.

Convert to mesh = Alt+C

user setsmooth and add a subsurf modifier for
faster objects

create a bezcurve and increase Bevel depth and BezResol

Using Your Mouse for 3D Animation (series) (5/17/2009)

Inthe IPO window, press Control+R key to record mouse movements.

Hold the ControlKey to do the actual recording.

Press the HomeKey to center the IPO curve.

you may use this technique on a camera object to emulate a shaky hand held camera.

Creating a Text Outline Effect in Blender (skip!)

Modeling the Blender 3D Logo (5/18/09)

load the background image with >>view menu >> background image>> browse to image

center with x and y offset, blend = alpha

add bez circle, press the Zkey to jump to wire frame mode,

Hold the shift key for finer translation movements

Select to points on the bez circle and press the Wkey subdivide the section. repeat sub division to make the weird blender logo spikes.

While selecting the verts press the V key to create sharp end points for straight lines

you may use the N key to inter values for point locations

add color

press the B Key press x2 for paint select mode and select inner circle,

press the Pkey to separate.

use the color sampling to add color to the inner and outer part of the logo.

curve tab > extrude to add thickness

curve tab > bevel depth to add bevel

curve tab > BevResol depth to add bevel

add text, type blender, browser to

Alt+C to convert font to curve.

Uniform Distribution of Objects along a Path (5/25/09)

"example trees on a path"

in object mode, select tree and then shift select the path, click Control+P. select the Path, in the curves and surfaces tab we disable the Follow Curve button,

in obj mode, select the object button and in the anim tab select DupliFrame, that creates 1 copy per "edit button > curves and surfaces > pathlength

set anim > dup end to the max number of objects so the extras don't stack up at the end of the curve.

make the duplicate of the path real by selecting: object menu > Clear/Apply > make duplicates real

The Lattice Modifier Lattice Animation The Mesh Deform Modifier, Using a Lattice to Redesign your 3D Model (5/27/09)

1) insert a lattice arround you obj.

2) select the obj and lattice then use Control+P and select Deform Lattace.

3) subdivide the lattice with Edit Button > lattice tab > U:3, V:3 and W:3.

4) Tab into Edit Mode and grab/move the vects to warp the object.

Video Titling Techniques #1 (The Basics) 06/13/09

part 1: create workspace

add camera on the Y axis
edit button > camera tab > Othrographic = on and passepartout = half dark

add plane in camera view and resize it to viewing area of the camera, the plain is used at a title story board. extrude a corner as a handle

name the storie board in the "links and Materials" tab, named it "titling board"

sent the material for the board to invisible by setting material tab > Env = off.

verify that the lamp is on the correct side of the plane

set world background to black

Rename the screen from SR:2-Model to SR-VidSeq1

set it up like this:

--------------------------------------------
Vid Seq Editor. |. . . . . . . . |
--------------------------| 3D view |
TimeLine . . . . |. . . . . . . |
--------------------------------------------
buttons Window. . . . . . . . |
-------------------------------------------

and set another called SR-VidSeq2

---------------------------------------------------------
Vid Seq Editor |VidSeq>ImgPview |
------------------------| ----------------------------- |
. . . . TimeLine | . . . . . . . . 3D view |
---------------------------------------------------------
buttons Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
---------------------------------------------------------

Use controlKey + LeftArrow or RightArrow to switch between these views.

add video clip with vidSeq > Add > Movie. select an .avi file

add the scene vidSeq > Add > Scene. click in the window to 'root' the scene there.

See bgryderclock blendernation forum post for details

spacebar > add > text

switch to edit mode to edit the text
name the text material white and enable Ztransp to made the text transparent-able.
enable Shadeless

On the shader Tab:
set hardness and spec to 0
set Emit to max

make sure the text is between the screen and camers (duh!)

use control+P to parent the text to the board

Select all the materials and use Cntrl+L to link materials

select the movie clips then the scene (together) and select > Add > Effect > Alpha Over to make generate combined track.

In the render menu enable "Do Sequence" to preview the combined track

Part 2: Animate the titles

open an IPO curve window.

select the board, set a loc keyframe on the first frame

move the board up and set new loc keys to animate the move.

select the curve and then select curve > interpolate > linear to make the changes "fast" / linear

use the K key (Key Mode) in the IPO window hi-light the verticle keyframe marker and slide them.

animate the material alpha

go to another window and switch to the "IPO-Material" view to animate the material alpha.

Select the push-pin icon on the IPO window to keep the window static

go to the first frame change the alpha value of the text and press the "i" key to insert a Alpha key.

go to insert another frame, change the transparency and insert key with the "i" key... and repeat!

How to Create Glint Effects in Blender (06/16/09)

Create a plain and delete all point but one.

move to center by key N
Apply white material
set Hard = half
set Add = low
shader hardness = max
enable Lines or Star
Enable Halo button
Set Halo = 3

Using the node editor for compositing / layering

have your objects on different layer.
to move an object to a layer select it then press the M key, select a layer then click OK.

Set up multiple mats for different glint "angles"

set up render layers by

scene render layers tab > name and then select a layer
"cymbal" and "glint"

the lights have to be of the enable of a different layer or on the same layer as you objects.

switch to Nodes screen. select the composite nodes button and then select use Nodes

use Shift+D to create a duplicate of the render layer

use the spacebar to insert: Add > color > alpha over

connect the layer to the compositor in the order of bottom layer first, top layer last.

select do compositing to show you changes.

go to the sequencer window

add your scene and then add a effect layer of glow to tweak glint.

Christmas Gift Boxes and Bow (06/19/09)

use cubes with rounded edged. cut them with loop selections and scale them into boxes and box tops.

create and crop a ban in to a ribbon loops and copy them in to a bow. add a inner sphere to make it look solid.

Gen3 Tree-Making Tool (06/20/09)

source file = http://www.geocities.com/bgen3/

the zip files include gen3.py and gt folder...
1. Open your blender directory --->.blender--->scripts
- copy the gen3.py script inside the script directory
- gt folder goes to bpymodules folder inside the script directory
then update your scripts...

the script appears under script > misc > Gen3

just use the presets for good looking trees!

Oven-Baked Pretzels series

Part 1 - create a draft enviorment

use a picture of the prentzel as a background / reference image for colors, lighting, and textures

build a box and a ramp in right side view. if you use the B key for box selection both point of the line will be selected

Tip: go to camera mode, select the camera border, press G Key, then Z key twice, and move the mouse to zoom the "dolly" in and out.

Tip: use the the group of buttons on the 3D panel (with the pointing hand) to enable a 3D scale, move, rotate tool

Part 2 - basic 3D pretzel mesh

add a bezier curve of layer 2vand a bezier circle on layer 2

rename the circle to "cc"

in the object props for the curve, enable the 3D button and type "cc" bev obj field, now the line is a tube.

IMPORTANT: make sure you have 3D button enabled, else there will me issues editing the "pretzel twist" verts.

extrude the tube with the e key, select all verts and press Shift+H to automatically rotate vert to smooth out the tube,repeat to create the pretzel shape.

select a vert and use Alt+S to fatten parts of the pretzel.

in object mode use Alt+C to convert the fancy curve to a mesh.

use set smooth to smooth the faces.

Part 3 - sculpt and details.

from object mode select Sculpt mode

press the N key to show the properties mode

use Ctrl+tab to select the sculptig brush type,
and use Shift+F to adjust the tool strength.
and just the F key to adjust the tool size

Set all the brush buttons in the Sculpt properties to "Airbrush"

Use Ctrl+tab to switch from grap and smooth mode to change the mesh shape.

Use shift+(the tool) to reverse the tool's effect.

hint: To move the camera around in the camera view select the camera border and press the G-key and drag the camera around.

apply a rough material color

Part 4

press ctrl+NUMPAD7 for bottom view

switch to edit mode to see the mesh verts

Flatten the bottom of the pretzel, use the paint select (B-key twice)

Tip: use the proportional editing to tweak shapes.

Time For Textures!

select the texture button

Add new > named "base bread bump" > texture type "stucci" > set noise and turbulance to a "concrete block" setting.

under the materials button, on the "Map input" tab set the sizeX and sizeY = 2

Map to: enable only the "Nor" button,

Hint: set up a small corner window with just the Preview sphere view.

under the world buttons, Amb Ccc tab, enable Ambient Occlusion. (this slows the test render)

Create a new texture called "mild cracking" > texture type: Musgrave > Noise Bias = V Crackle" > tweak the setting to "cracked dried Mud"

Create a create texture called "bubbling" > texture type = clouds > tweak the setting to "sponge mold"

under the materials button, on the "Map input" tab set the sizeX and sizeY = 3

preview and tweak

Time For Vertex Painting!

go to a top view and switch to Vertex painting mode. then go to the editing button > paint Tab. set the color to the lightest dough color. repeat with darker colors

select the obj and go to the Materials tab and enable the
"Vcol Pain" to show painting in render

under the scene button go to the render tab and set anialating to "mitch".

Time to texture the conveyor!

move the test pretzels to layer 11

Modeling Timelapse of a Bowden Bicycle Frame
Old Country Pathway series (unfinished - project is still open)

Dream Drum Set Project

Project Desc:

Building the perfect large shell nested drum set.

To Do List:

Test bass drum case sizes with car door opening sizes to Verify 26" shells will work, ( used a cut up hula hoop to check car door sized, a 26 will work, but a 26 is tool similar to my old 24, so we will make a 28x24!

Compile parts list and prices.

Finalize shell Colors ( probably chome)

Email vendor to finalize quotes.

Distribute lists to family as gift ideas.

Check Parts.

Ask off to lacquer shell/ paint parts

Items/Prices:

$68.00 - 1 28 x 6 soft drum bag. - http://www.finecases.com/browse/gigbags/percussion/tom-tom-bags.html?powerSort=6%20x%2028%20Tom%20Bags

$96.00 - 28x16 bag -
http://www.finecases.com/browse/tuxedo/tuxedo-4464.html

$191.00 - Bass shell - 28 x 24" 10ply - from Precisiondrums.com

$52.00 - - bass bearing edges

$200.00 splitting labor -

Bass drum lugs 4 x 20 80.00

Here are prices from precision drum:
24x28 10 ply shell - $191
Bearing edges - $52
Cut and split/latch feature installed - $175
Chrome wrap installed - $310 or DIY $170
Estimated s&h - $115
Total - $843 or 703 DIY or just $533 sans wrap

bgryderclock