Hi Everyone...
Tomorrow I'll be conducting a presentation on FOSS - Free Open Source Software - for local area Teachers, Administrators and Technology Personnel at out PBS Station. Although this workshop is not open to the general public, you can still find out more about FOSS from my workshop web page:
http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/edwin.vega/education/workshops.html
I'm looking to conduct another FOSS workshop on campus as part of the Digital Media Workshop Series this semester that will be open to all students, faculty and staff. Details are forthcoming!
I hope this information is helpful to anyone who wishes to learn more about FOSS.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this.
-VegaDMS
Thursday, January 20, 2011
New Site...
Hi Everyone...
My new Faculty site is up and running!
Check it out and drop me some feedback.
http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/edwin.vega/
Thanks.
-VegaDMS
My new Faculty site is up and running!
Check it out and drop me some feedback.
http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/edwin.vega/
Thanks.
-VegaDMS
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Re-structuring and Re-organizing!!!
Hi Everyone,
A New Year and a New Outlook will bring all of this together. Let me explain: this blog is on Technology, and what I'm working on will bring together this blog and Facebook into the classroom as far as learning tools go.
On the list of re-vamps is my Faculty website at SUNY Plattsburgh, which is under a major overhaul. I'm working on bring in some new coding methods to the design and development of the site. Dubbed, "Project-9", this version of the site is the stepping stone for next version of the site which will include such technologies as HTML5 and CSS3 to name a few. Project-9 does have some CSS3 components as well as heavily coded CSS2 to allow for transparent backgrounds, built-in Google Calendar, JavaScript (for dimming the lights), and more. The site is also connected to social media.
Coupled with a Facebook site set to "officially" launch for the Spring 2011. We've already tested the site during the Fall 2011 semester with our first "Digital Media Workshop Series" for our Anime Club members and "Digital Media Design" for our Teacher Education students in both the Graduate and Undergraduate programs. The site seems to be gaining momentum. I have brought in SlideShare.net, slide-show presentations to the FB site along Animoto video capabilities. This is turn allows our students to create, design and share their work among their peers as well as keeping everything mobile. I would like to bring in Prezi and Scribd to FB.
To continue with the whole mobile movement, I'm currently experimenting with Twitter and LinkedIn. The purpose is to keep the active learners engaged an connected as well as expanding on the aspects of networking via social media.
The Facebook sites focus is also on Technology and Digital Media. It lists resources from the Open Source Communities as well as provides information and tutorials from a variety of other websites.
Another project I'm currently involved with is to design our very own "interactive whiteboard". Details to this will come soon, since the project is to be showcased just prior to January 21, 2011. No pressure.
So, these are some of the reasons why I've been away from this for too long. Now, I don't have any excuses - I'm working on a way to tie Blogger, WordPress and the FB site together.
That's it in a nutshell.
Til Next Time...
-VegaDMS
A New Year and a New Outlook will bring all of this together. Let me explain: this blog is on Technology, and what I'm working on will bring together this blog and Facebook into the classroom as far as learning tools go.
On the list of re-vamps is my Faculty website at SUNY Plattsburgh, which is under a major overhaul. I'm working on bring in some new coding methods to the design and development of the site. Dubbed, "Project-9", this version of the site is the stepping stone for next version of the site which will include such technologies as HTML5 and CSS3 to name a few. Project-9 does have some CSS3 components as well as heavily coded CSS2 to allow for transparent backgrounds, built-in Google Calendar, JavaScript (for dimming the lights), and more. The site is also connected to social media.
Coupled with a Facebook site set to "officially" launch for the Spring 2011. We've already tested the site during the Fall 2011 semester with our first "Digital Media Workshop Series" for our Anime Club members and "Digital Media Design" for our Teacher Education students in both the Graduate and Undergraduate programs. The site seems to be gaining momentum. I have brought in SlideShare.net, slide-show presentations to the FB site along Animoto video capabilities. This is turn allows our students to create, design and share their work among their peers as well as keeping everything mobile. I would like to bring in Prezi and Scribd to FB.
To continue with the whole mobile movement, I'm currently experimenting with Twitter and LinkedIn. The purpose is to keep the active learners engaged an connected as well as expanding on the aspects of networking via social media.
The Facebook sites focus is also on Technology and Digital Media. It lists resources from the Open Source Communities as well as provides information and tutorials from a variety of other websites.
Another project I'm currently involved with is to design our very own "interactive whiteboard". Details to this will come soon, since the project is to be showcased just prior to January 21, 2011. No pressure.
So, these are some of the reasons why I've been away from this for too long. Now, I don't have any excuses - I'm working on a way to tie Blogger, WordPress and the FB site together.
That's it in a nutshell.
Til Next Time...
-VegaDMS
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Some more FREE goodies...
Hi Everyone,
It's been a while since my last posting.
Below are some goodies I hope you'll enjoy!
First up, BZoo, http://www.bzooworld.org/ a game engine suite for Blender and another free game development tool - Unity 3D.
Plus, if you want to learn to use Unity 3D, here's the link: http://unity3d.com/
Next up, more tools for Blender.
If you're using Blender 2.5 and would like to have the python scripts for creating lens flares, go to the BlenderTime site: http://www.blendertime.com/tag/lens-flares-library/
If you want to create a 3D graphic in Blender and want greater flexibility in painting and manipulating your work in Photoshop, check out this YouTube video - WARNING: It's in German and you'll need Photoshop CS3 Extended to do your work in - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxCLx1ljKgo
Need some inspiration, host your Blender videos or get some additional training, then take a look at Blender Videos: http://www.blendervideos.com/
If you're looking for more textures and freebies, here are some site to help you to build your library of resources:
3D Total's Free Textures - http://freetextures.3dtotal.com/
Media Militia - http://www.blendervideos.com/
WireCase - http://www.wirecase.com/Gallery-Free-3D-Models_s-2_v-20-1_f-fc-0-321_f-fpx-_f-fpn-_f-oid-.html
Need to build up your sound effects library? Try FlashKit - http://www.flashkit.com/
Yo will have the options to a) try the effect before you begin the download; b) decide on whether to download a WAV or MP3.
Some notes on FlashKit:
Don't let the name and nature of the site fool you. Once you download these files, you can use them over and over again in a multitude of media. Also, although MP3's are faster to download, these files are heavily compressed. Best practice in multimedia design is to use a WAV file, since it is full of harmonics and range (and it can be in stereo), then re-compress it when you render out your projects.
If you are interested in creating your own city, then this free downloadable script is for you.
The Suicidator City Generator is available from this site:
Here is what your city could look like:
This is how-to install the script and run it in Blender:
Video instructions on how-to work with the script - Note: NO AUDIO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzRWpkTR8gU&feature=channel
Well that's all I got for this round!
Til next time.
-VegaDMS
Blender Resources, part 2 (advanced)
Here are some resources where you can find additional tutorials, plug-ins and python scripts.
When you come across a python script, its file extension will look like this: .py
Copy this file and paste it in the SCRIPTS folder located under: .blender
Look for this:
C:\Program Files\Blender\.blender\scripts
LuxRender
LuxRender is a physically based and unbiased rendering engine. Based on state of the art algorithms, LuxRender simulates the flow of light according to physical equations, thus producing realistic images of photographic quality.
BlenderNation (Tutorials for various versions of Blender)
Alien HelpDesk (Scripts for 2.4x & 2.5x)
SWiK (More Scripts)
FYI: Scripts include an exporter to After Effects. (Looking forward to working with this one.)
Pret-A-3D (Tutorials)
GTA Garage (GTA Mod Database for Models)
FYI: GTA = Grand Theft Auto
Rozengain's Blog (Anyone designing games in Flash?)
FYI: This script allows you to export to ActionScript 3.0 from Blender!!!
Note: Papervision3D integrates into Flash to allow the creation of 3D.
Til next time...
-VegaDMS
-VegaDMS
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Blender Resources
Hi there,
Some Blender resources to share with everyone.
Blender Guru - http://www.blenderguru.com/category/tutorials/
Blender Art Magazine (Downloadable e-Magazine) - http://blenderart.org/issues/
Blender Artist's - http://blenderartists.org/cms/content/view/17/53/
Blender Newbies - http://blendernewbies.blogspot.com/
Blender Online Manual - http://www.blender.org/download/documentation/
Blender Model Repository - http://e2-productions.com/repository/index.php
Blender for Architects - http://blender-archi.tuxfamily.org/Tutorials
51 Blender Tutorials - http://cg.tutsplus.com/articles/web-roundups/51-bangin-blender-tutorials/
555 Blender Tutorials - http://filmmakeriq.com/general/featured/555-blender-tutorials.html
Create an animated 3D text with Blender - http://www.pixel2life.com/viewtutorial/75618/creating_a_text_logo_in_blender/
Introduction to Smoke Simulation - http://www.blenderguru.com/introduction-to-smoke-simulation/
Blender Forums - http://www.blender.org/education-help/support-forums/
CG Society - http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=91
Tutorialized: Blender 3D - http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/Blender-3d/1
Need to find FREE 3D Models to use in your production?
Check out this list of "60 Excellent Free 3D Model Websites"
Link: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/60-excellent-free-3d-model-websites/
FYI: 3D Models may be created for other 3D programs, but may still work with Blender.
Need some add-ons for Blender? Try these on:
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=85722
http://brendonmurphy1.googlepages.com/materiallibrary's
http://www.swineworld.org/blender/gears/
http://www.harkyman.com/bp.html
http://www.blinken.com/blender-plugins.php
http://www.luxrender.net/
http://www.yafaray.org/
According to one of the sites, adding libraries to Blender:
- Adding the Presets.
- Download & extract the blend file to a safe place -.blender/materials works for me.
- Open Blender (not the material preset file yet) go: File/Append & browse to the materials preset file.
- Select Scene "Materials" (the only scene) you will now have a new scene called "Materials"
go back to your default/normal start up scene.
- Press ctrl/u (windows) to save user defaults.
- Now each time you open Blender you have instant access.
Til next time...
-VegaDMS
Some Blender resources to share with everyone.
Blender Guru - http://www.blenderguru.com/category/tutorials/
Blender Art Magazine (Downloadable e-Magazine) - http://blenderart.org/issues/
Blender Artist's - http://blenderartists.org/cms/content/view/17/53/
Blender Newbies - http://blendernewbies.blogspot.com/
Blender Online Manual - http://www.blender.org/download/documentation/
Blender Model Repository - http://e2-productions.com/repository/index.php
Blender for Architects - http://blender-archi.tuxfamily.org/Tutorials
51 Blender Tutorials - http://cg.tutsplus.com/articles/web-roundups/51-bangin-blender-tutorials/
555 Blender Tutorials - http://filmmakeriq.com/general/featured/555-blender-tutorials.html
Create an animated 3D text with Blender - http://www.pixel2life.com/viewtutorial/75618/creating_a_text_logo_in_blender/
Introduction to Smoke Simulation - http://www.blenderguru.com/introduction-to-smoke-simulation/
Blender Forums - http://www.blender.org/education-help/support-forums/
CG Society - http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=91
Tutorialized: Blender 3D - http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/Blender-3d/1
Need to find FREE 3D Models to use in your production?
Check out this list of "60 Excellent Free 3D Model Websites"
Link: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/60-excellent-free-3d-model-websites/
FYI: 3D Models may be created for other 3D programs, but may still work with Blender.
Need some add-ons for Blender? Try these on:
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=85722
http://brendonmurphy1.googlepages.com/materiallibrary's
http://www.swineworld.org/blender/gears/
http://www.harkyman.com/bp.html
http://www.blinken.com/blender-plugins.php
http://www.luxrender.net/
http://www.yafaray.org/
According to one of the sites, adding libraries to Blender:
- Adding the Presets.
- Download & extract the blend file to a safe place -.blender/materials works for me.
- Open Blender (not the material preset file yet) go: File/Append & browse to the materials preset file.
- Select Scene "Materials" (the only scene) you will now have a new scene called "Materials"
go back to your default/normal start up scene.
- Press ctrl/u (windows) to save user defaults.
- Now each time you open Blender you have instant access.
Til next time...
-VegaDMS
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