3D Fun!

Well, I've recently downloaded Blender and have been taking a stab at learning how to create 3D images (and possibly animations).  I have always had somewhat of a creative side; finding joy in drawing and painting quiet a bit in my younger days.  Due to time constraints and limitations in working space, breaking out the old paint set and easel isn't that feasible for me.  Plus the cleanup, nope.  Takes too long.  Ok, so I'm lazy.  Don't judge. :)

Anyways, I have been playing with digital painting in Gimp and have always been interested in what goes in 3D design and production.  Seeing as how I am a huge proponent of 'Open-Source' software, I figured I would try and learn in an open-source environment. 

The tools I use are: Blender 2.5 Alpha (has a nice new interface, and works pretty well too), The Gimp, and a program I stumbled on by accident: MakeHuman.  So far I have modeled some very basic things in Blender, but have been very proud of my accomplishment of adding fur to the pre-modeled monkey head that comes with Blender using a great tutorial site at: http://www.blendercookie.com/

I have yet to attempt modeling a human (they were always my weak spot in illustrating).  A long time ago I had tinkered with an old version of Poser; which did a great job creating and posing 3D models of people.  However, lacking $250 dollars to purchase a recent copy of Poser to help in my learning process, I found MakeHuman.

MakeHuman seems to do a lot of what Poser does.  It allows for quick and simple creation of human 3D models.  It allows pretty easy customization using sliders and toggles to configure the model the way you would like.  MakeHuman also allows exporting the models for use in other 3D packages such as Blender, 3D Studio Max, Wavefront, etc.  The setup reminds me a lot of character creation tools employed in video games.  But you seem to have quite a bit of control over the final outcome.  The models generated are pretty high-poly count models as well; so they should look pretty good when imported into your editor of choice.

The great things about MakeHuman: it does everything I need it to do at this time quickly, easily, and for free.  MakeHuman is Open-Source Software and has cross-platform support for Windows, Linux, and Mac.

There are other alternatives for people looking to break into 3D modeling and design.  If you're interested you should check out: Daz 3D Studio and Caligari TrueSpace (which are both free 3D software packages with great support).

Happy Surfing!

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E3 2010 Coverage: Microsoft

Several things have come out of the Microsoft tents at E3.  The most notable being 'Project Natal' now has a real name.  It will be called 'Kinect'.  And a new version of the Xbox 360 will be in stores later this week (in the US).  The new Xbox 360 is smaller than the original, referred to as 'whisper quiet', sports built-in Wifi, and a 250GB Hard drive.  It will be priced the same as the former Xbox 360 Elite models.

Checkout Pics of the new 360: http://www.joystiq.com/photos/xbox-360-slim-live-shots/#/0

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E3 2010 Coverage: Nintendo

Well, I just finished watching the coverage of Nintendo's E3 conference.  And I saw several things that I am definitely going to keep my eye on. 

The first, looks as though by the end of the year one of my favorite franchises will be returning.  'Donkey Kong Country Returns' will be making it's Wii debut.  I was an avid fan of all the previous DK Country titles. 

Other titles introduced was 'Kirby's Epic Yarn' starring the lovable Kirby and 'Goldeneye' coming to the Wii.  The verdict is still out on 'Goldeneye' in my opinion.  The first for the N64 was such a great game.  And Pierce Brosnon isn't reclaiming the Bond helm this time around.  Instead it will be Daniel Craig (who did a good job in the later Bond flicks, but he wasn't the original Goldeneye).

The other big news from Nintendo: the Nintendo 3DS.  Yep, rumors were buzzing around the web for some time now boasting Nintendo's plans to make a version of the DS that portrays 3D capabilites minus having to wear 3D Glasses the see the effect.  And apparently it has paid off.  I was originally apprehensive of a 3D Nintendo DS.  Why?  For me 3D in movies is a gimmick.  I have seen several 3D movies and now choose not to see any more.  Why?  They hit you for a couple extra dollars on top of an already over priced movie ticket for the glasses.  Then when you see the film you get a few minutes of a mediocre 3D effect. (meaning 'Clash of The Titans 3D'). 

*Disclaimer: I did not see Avatar in 3D, so please no flame wars.*

Anyways, 3D in gaming is starting to slowly evolve with support from Graphics Card manufacturers and game publishers.  3D Televisions are trying to invade homes (for a small fortune).  I just don't see the perks.  However, if the price point is right for the Nintendo 3DS, a handheld device that requires no extra peripherals for the 3D effect, juts might take off.  And for Nintendo's sake, I hope it does.  Nintendo is a great company with great ideas.

On to the other Nintendo 3DS goodies.  They have added a analogue control pad above the d-pad.  There are two camera lenses on the outside shell of the unit so you can now take pictures in 3D.  I love this idea.  There is also a couple new sensors built in to the device. 

Finally, the last big Nintendo 3DS is movies.  However, during the speech it was made clear that there are no firm confirmations of movie titles coming to the 3DS; it is a good possibility it will be on it's way.  There is a demo model in their E3 booth playing several movies from Disney, Dreamworks, and Warner Bros.  Movies playing in 3D on the 3DS include 'How to Train Your Dragon'.  Also, they are boasting a handful of 3D ready titles coming to the device at launch including the former 'Project Sora'; which has developed in a new 'Kid Icarus'.

Congrats Nintendo on setting me back about 20 years in time.  I love going back to the old games.  And I hope they can pull it off successfully.  Good luck!

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Windows 7 Aero Effects...How do I?

Everybody has no doubt seen those pretty funny Windows 7 commercials on TV. You know the ones; where the regular-everyday Joe says that he had an idea for Windows 7. The camera flashes to a way better looking 'stand in' actor and the show off a cool feature.

Well, I get asked quite a bit how to use those features. So I figured I'd list the keyboard shortcuts or methods to use these features. Here we go!

*Note: Aero Effects are available for Windows 7 Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate.

• The first feature is live taskbar thumbnails.  Yep, simply minimize a running program to the taskbar.  Then mouse down to that program on the taskbar and hover your mouse over it.  A nice little thumbnail will popup revealing what that running program has going on inside it.  Pretty cool!

•  Secondly, minimize other windows.  Simply click the window you want to keep, while holding the mouse button; give the mouse a little wiggle.  All other windows will minimize.

• The next cool feature (and my personal favorite) is Windows Flip 3D.  Bascially, it's a replacement for the Alt+Tab shortcut.  Pressing Alt+Tab on the keyboard brings up a little windows with every running application's icon sitting side by side.  It allows you to toggle through the running applications using only the keyboard.  Well Windows Flip 3D does pretty much the same thing, but in a cool 3D view.  To do this simply press: Windows key + Tab.  And you'll be able to show off some nice eye candy.

• Finally, the Snap feature.  Using Snap will let you line up two open windows side by side.  Simply click on the title bar of one program and slide to the left side of the screen.  It will snap into position taking up half the screen.  Do the same with the other window, but take it to the left.  There you go!
  
  
  Now you're an Aero geek like me.  Happy computing!
  

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It's That Time of Year Again...

Well, that's right. If you're a gamer, than you know what is just around the corner. That's right! E3!!!

E3 is a huge deal in the gamer world. That's when the whose-who of games shows up and shows out. What will E3 bring us this year? Goodness from Epic Games, Valve? Hopefully so, and much much more. Stay tuned, when E3 gets fired up I'll be watching the headlines to bring the news to all who want to read it. (Unfortunately, I'll not be attending or trying to attend). But come back the week of June 15th-17th for more info!

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Game Review: James Cameron's Avatar (Wii)

Before I started playing 'James Cameron's Avatar' on the Wii, I was hesistant.  I loved the movie.  And had high hopes that the game would deliver a pretty cool experience too.  I haven't played the game on the 360 or PS3, but the Wii version has left quite a bit to be desired.

The gameplay is diverse, with stealth sequences of sneaking through the high grass to avoid being detected by the humans.  Using your surrounds (like summoning control over Hellfire Wasps and buzzing around stinging humans); which was all pretty cool.  For me the game started to pick up after I acquired my bow.

Sneaking up behind or above a human and slapping them down didn't really sell me on the hand to hand combat.  There is almost a platformer trying to get out of the heart of this game.

The sound was pretty good, you could hear humans calling for help or mentioning that they think they have 'Made Contact'.  The controls are pretty standard Wii-adventure stuff.  Move with the nunchuck's joystick, aim with Wii remote, etc.  The story tries to branch off on it's own (apart from the movie) by linking to a disease that humans have brought to Pandora that is infecting and killing native life.  But don't fret, the struggle for unobtanium is there too.



The graphics and camera are my two complaints.  The graphics at times are pretty poor.  The colors are vivid, but the detail just isn't there.  The camera can be your worst enemy.  I had numerous times of trying to stealth through the grass to sneak up on an enemy when the camera shifts behind a rock.  Then next thing you know, I've alerted a whole squad of soldiers.  Eventually ending up with my death.  The good things, the game supports Wii-Motion Plus (but doesn't require it) and it supports the Wii Balance Board (also doesn't require it).

I would recommend this game as a rental or picking up used (and for cheap).  I don't forsee wanting to spend more days on Pandora through this means of controlling an Avatar.  However, for a few dollars to rent.  This game will offer several evenings worth of alien-adventure.

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Wii Game Review: Prince of Persia-The Forgotten Sands

I've recently started playing through 'Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands' for the Nintendo Wii. First note, I have had absolutely zero play time with the 360 or PS3 ports of the game. This review is solely for the Wii version.  Nor have I played any of the Prince of Persia games since pretty much the original (years ago).

For starters, I was pretty impressed with this title.  Especially for a Wii game (which has taken some bad hits due to more mature audiences not finding many games to it's liking).  For me, I immediately found the game very immersing and fun.  The game starts off at a pretty fast pace, and throws you into the mix of combat and puzzle solving prettying quickly.



This game is not a movie-tie-in game.  Yes, the Prince resembles Jake Gyllenhall's portrayal of Prince Destin; however, the new version of the Prince also sports a pretty heavy duty gauntlet that kicks me back to the recent cell-shaded PoP game.  The story this time around hooks the Prince up with a genie (which looks like a pixie type creature that accompanies the Prince) that has agreed to give the Prince a kingdom and a princess.  The genie fails to mention that to get his wishes he has to follow through the sand and into a kingdom that time has long forgot.  The genie grants the Prince vision to see the Kingdom as it was, and from there you start to combat some plant like creatures and make your way through the mess and rumble and traps to rescue the Kingdom and the Princess.

Most of the puzzels (so far at least) pretty much involve you guiding the Prince to the exit of each room or area.  I like the ability to press the '-' key on the Wiimote to get a birds eye view on the room when you are trying to get to a particular goal.  It's nice to be able to just zoom out and see where to head next.

The controls are pretty similar to most action titles on the Wii.  Shaking the Wiimote and Nunchuck executes attacks, the Nunchuck is used for controlling the Prince and camera; meanwhile, the Wiimote is used to utilize your 'creation abilities' and enable magical hooks (hand holds for climbing) on power pads.  Other powers include making whirlwinds to shoot you up to the next hand hold (to name a few).  Controls at times can seem a little clunky; but fortunately, nothing that has hindered my gameplay.

The sound and music are great, the sound fits in with the setting having (like in the old Indiana Jones movies).  So far, I have completed the first boss fight (the temple Guardian) and that fight was pretty intense, and to my satisfaction took about 10 minutes and quite a bit of thinking to get past.  I like games that still make me think.

The graphics are pretty sweet.  For a Wii game I was pretty impressed.  I have become spoiled to playing games that 'look good'; but more often than not, those games don't offer the gameplay and satisfaction that other games afford.  This game, offers both. 

Overall, 'Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands' is a great game.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of adventure games.  If you own a Wii, be sure not to miss this one.

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New Live Action Mortal Kombat footage!

Ok everybody, hold onto your hats.  The following footage is a teaser which was posted on Youtube today.  It appears to be a reimagining  of the Mortal Kombat film mythos.  Who knows at this point (besides the poster) what this actually is.  Apparently earlier in the year Warner Bros. had been rumored to have interest in creating a new movie featuring the Mortal Kombat license. 

Personally after watching the 7 minute and 49 second video, I immediately loved it.  I'm a fan of Michael Jai White and of Mortal Kombat in general.  It's one of those games that stand out for me from my preteen/teenage years.  If this is infact a new movie (which nothing has been confirmed as of yet); than I will most definitely see it.  This footage includes Jax, Sonya Blade, Johny Blaze, Reptile, Scorpion, Shang Tsung (in a photo), a quick flash of Sub-Zero, and Baraka (Baraka looks a little stange, but I can go with it).

See what you think, feel free to leave a comment!




Enjoy!

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Lord of The Rings Online Goes Free-2-Play In The Fall!

One of the biggest developments in the MMO world this week happened today.  It looks as though Turbine is extending the same type of Free-2-Play Business Model that has made it's popular 'Dungeons & Dragons Online: Ebberon Unlimited' such a success.

This fall, Turbine will be applying a very similar concept to LOTRO.  It will include the LOTRO Store as well.  If you are a current subscriber, don't worry.  Turbine has included a handful of perks for you folks as well.  I have to be honest, I've heard pretty good things about LOTRO and I am pretty excited to see Turbine head in this direction.  The game will be free to download and play.  The players can then purchase character classes and character slots, expansions, etc. from the Turbine Store.

As a fan of MMO's, I love trying out games I haven't yet explored.  However, with most of the commercial games, you have to purchase the game and the subscribe to it monthly (or similar billing choices).  And more often than not, there are more games out that pick my interest than my monthly budget can support.  Not to mention the whole time issue.  I hate paying monthly for a game that I feel I can't get my monies worth of playtime.

Worry no longer, once F2P LOTRO hits, look for my review to follow pretty quickly.  You can sign up for the F2P Beta which will start soon as well.  http://www.lotro.com/betasignup/
Also for more info on the switch in business model, check out: 
http://www.lotro.com/news/709-announcing-the-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-move-to-free-to-play-

See you in the Fall in Middle Earth!

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