ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Monday 23 December 2013

GOODWILL. (23/12/13)

_MG_2434

This is not what I was hoping to offer you all as a Christmas greeting. I did try and finish a 3D video but getting my Merry Christmas to rise from a UV mapped image of Derwentwater, then drip water that turns to icicles as Derwentwater slowly froze and get gently covered in falling snow was beyond my capabilities this year. I was at it till two this morning…..I even found time to have another go in Blender 3D….to forestall any uncharitable comments inappropriate to this season of goodwill to Adrians.

3D modelling is a wonderful way to pass a week or so away but there are too many variables for me to get my befuddled brain around. I suspected I was being over ambitious. I’ll start again in January. This time I’ll save each stage. There are some bits easier in CS6 and other bits easier in Blender. I must remember to save things with a proper file name. I pop them all in a special folder but when it gets to thirty odd saved files it’s harder than the cryptic crossword to find the right bit from my file names. If you have the time try it. Anything fluid can be given both viscosity and mass. It was interesting to see my snow explode in all directions. Took me ages to make it just drift down and now I can’t remember all the settings. Then there are boundary boxes, object surfaces and a couple of dozen other variables.

Enough pontification, procrastination and pleading excuses. There are no excuses, I bit off more than I could chew.

I just want to thank you all for your entertaining posts. They inspire me and educate me. It is almost impossible to name favourites without causing offence so thank you one and all for contributing to a most enjoyable year in Blogland.

Whatever takes your fancy, whether it be wine, women, men, song or wee Jesus then have a really good week.

38 comments:

  1. Hope you have a good Christmas, and I'm sure you'll have complete mastery of Blender for next year!

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    1. You too Mark.
      I defy anyone to master all aspects of 3D. I suspect the studios that do it are more akin to the old hand drawn cartoon workflow. I right a scenario and split it all up into what I guess are the various elements of it. In Blender I seem to be limited to 250 frames and that can take a good day to render. Then prior to rendering it can take an hour to bake any fluid simulations. It's a whole new world to explore. I'm a mile away at the moment.

      Did you get my e-mail regarding the Greseley 2-6-2 that they are starting in Darlington. They estimate eight years to build her. Put's my 3D problems into perspective!
      For a grand spread over a year you can get free access to her and Tornado. They are cutting her frames now or very shortly. They give you a free tie and a picture as well, if you ask nicely a box of chocolates or her indoors. After Tornado it does seem a pity to waste the skilled labour. They should build a traction engine or two to keep them in bread and butter money.

      This giant beauty should be named in sympathy with Tornado. I favour Typhoon. The Prince of Wales will turn up to name her whatever she is called....he may gybe at Republican but I'm sure they could get the chief engineers wife to crack the champagne.

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    2. Yeah, thanks for the details. I got lost reading through the website and forgot to e-mail back. I'll donate some money later, as while easy access and all the other goodies are really enticing I can think of a lot of other things I can spend a grand on -- ten decent model trains for a start! That and of course I don't actually have a spare grand laying around.

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  2. Happy Christmas to you too Adrian. Enjoy the festivities x

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    1. Carol, I don't like Christmas. It is forced upon me. You teach hard things like 3D. Can you help? Please.....I'll buy you a tin of toffee.

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    2. Based on your brief above ~ I will see what I can come up with over the next few days. I am home alone for Christmas ~ you know like that little kid in the movies :)

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  3. Now that scene has real atmosphere! Not sure I'd call it merry but it stays with me. Best wishes for a creative new year! Jean

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    1. Jean, it is far from Merry. Better than it could have been. I take pictures and try and post the same day. We are suffering storms created in the USA. This was a bit of it. It has now gone dark again at 1400h. The wind is away so will shortly swap from the SW to something near north. Happy days. I hope you have a good Christmas.

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  4. Adrian, your story of what you were trying to accomplish was a joy reading. Still I felt a little sorry for you. No worries. What you did accomplish is great! The picture looks like a lot of our early Christmas mornings around here. We almost never have snow. The greeting looks really good! The 2D image of the letters just sets it off.

    Hope you all the best for the coming week! I think one song says, "may your days be merry and bright."

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    1. David, I enjoy the challenge of Blender. It is brilliant. Autodesk is better but I doubt I could work that. Adobe I can live with but limited Blender is free so thank you for pointing me to it. I feel I ought to give something back to the Blender mob so whilst getting lost in projects I'm trying to learn Python.
      You have a good week. Bugsy should not be forgotten either.

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    2. I should have said 3D image on the letters. It's difficult to think 3D when you are looking at 2D but I guess that's a big part of why these software packages are tough. About Blender - I'm just glad I thought to mention it to you.

      No worries about Bugsy. I think about the story and his part in it everyday. Most days I write at least a little. Not nearly as much now as the kids are here.

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    3. David, I have got zooming round whilst editing off to a fine art. I just wish the grid in blender was easier to see.

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  5. I think you're pictures through the year have said more than any blended version.

    Enjoy the next few days, and keep safe. Blowing a bit outside here at the moment. I think my fence is trying to come inside with me.

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    1. Keith, the 3D is a job for wet days but I doubt I'll ever master it.

      The rain here is away this last hour. The wind has just died. If it doesn't kick in from the north in the next hour then the weather guessers have it wrong again. I'll pop on IPlayer and see which way the totty is waving her hands. Hardly scientific I know but it takes my mind off their ineptitude.

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  6. As you don't do Christmas Adrian I'll just wish you all the best and seasons greetings.

    I think you should give that 3D - Blender malarky, and your brain, a bit of a rest and just get down to relaxing and enjoying yourself for the next few days. Then come the new year you can start afresh with a clear head (?) Oooh!..can't wait?...looking forward to a super special, fully animated, whistles and bells toting 2014 Christmas card already!

    I've got plenty of wind here (and rain)...do you want some?

    Stay safe and have a good one...[;o)

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    1. Trevor I'm hoping to get outfor some pictures on Christmas day. The forecast is looking good.
      You look after yourselves.

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  7. Adrian wij wensen je hele fijne dagen. cobie en bas.

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  8. I hope you enjoy your week, i dont do xmas i just like the drinking part.....i hope you get good weather too.

    peter

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    1. Peter the weather is looking good when the wind dies down. I'll test the beer tonight.

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  9. Mine is very quiet ADRIAN, have dinner with my kids in Salamanca.
    Where you are, I wish you a good night :))
    A hug.

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  10. Have a wonderful Christmas, Andrian.

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    1. You too Hilary. I hope your internet is up and running soon.

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  11. So you did a masterful job of diverting our attention from your challenges with making snow for our entertainment.
    Your blog is very much appreciated and I really appreciate the fact that you reply to comments.
    A great holiday to you even though retired guys don't get holidays.

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    1. Thanks Red, I hope you get your feed sorted quickly.

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  12. ❊..(
    ❊.(,)
    ❊|::::|.☆¸.¤Âª“˜¨
    ❊|::::|)/¸.¤Âª“˜¨˜“¨
    ❊|::¸.¤Âª“˜¨¨˜“¨
    ❊%¤Âª“˜¨¨
    ❊#ª“˜¨
    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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    1. You are a lunatic Claudia, have a good Christmas yourself.

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  13. Enjoy whatever you are doing today Adrian. My Christmas day is now officially over. Just 363 days 23 hours and 58 mins until the next one.

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    1. Graham, it will be quiet. I see your day was a good one.

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  14. I think this one came out very nice with the yellow.

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    1. Maria, I was happy to get anything at all.

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  15. I realise I've missed Christmas (in more ways than one … was working as well) but want to take the opportunity to thank you for your input ( … as you mention it) from a handful of things I have got out of blogland in 2013 … maybe I need to hunt for more in 2014.

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  16. Jay, it can easily take a couple of hours a day.

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