switch(case)

Here’s an archive of all of the python scripts I’ve created to help out adding the extra properties for objects ins Maya. I haven’t really commented them but they should be self-explanatory.

Thanks to: Andreas Engstrom, Guy Wheeler, Owen Burgess;

maya_python_scripts

I literally just grabbed this from Andreas “BasicScene” setup from the AwayBuilder Lessons directory in the SVN. But I will Explain it in the comments. (Except for the IMPORTS… if I have to explain those you are reading the WAY wrong tutorial. Also make sure to read Part 1 of this tutorial first.

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In this tutorial I will show you how to setup a Maya scene for use within AwayBuilder. First off you’re going to need a copy of Maya. (http://www.autodesk.com/maya). Download the 30-Day trial. (If you want to send me a free copy that would be awesome… but I use the trial)

Along with that you’re going to need the Collada Exporter plug-in for Maya. I’ve included them in the source files for this demo. awaybuildertutorials. So Lets get going:

Step 1: Setting up Maya

Plane creation

1. Make sure “Interactive Creation” is turned off.
2. Create a Plane
3. Size it to the size you want it within your scene.

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For the past month or so I’ve been diving into Away3D. Recently Andreas Engstrom ( Awaybuilder framework) http://www.andreasengstrom.se/ put together a really nice addition to the Away3D Engine.

AWAYBUILDER

Awaybuilder lets you set up scenes in Maya, or Cinema4D export them as Collada files, then have the framework parse through the file and build the scene completely in Flash. YES, it’s like a front end GUI for Flash 3D, that doesn’t *suck* as bad as CS4. Well you’d be laying out scenes in some of the best 3D software available out there. Although I’m making it sound easy… well it is. I’ll be putting demo’s together this weekend to share with the community how easy it is to actually put it together.

Since the framework is still in the early states, theres a bit a creativity involved in putting scenes together. I’ve been using Maya, but since my 30-Day trial ran out, I’ll be diving into Cinema4D this weekend, unless you want to DONATE me a copy of Maya, or throw me money so I can buy one!

Anyways in Maya the entire concept revolves around setting up “Extra Properties” onto your objects, I’ve actually written a decent amount of Python scripts to ease the process, and there is a Panel in the works to make your (lazy) lives even easier. If you want the Python scripts get a hold of me, and I’ll definitely send em over (or I think they might be in the AwayBuilder SVN).

svn checkout http://away3d.googlecode.com/svn

Concepts to expect in my tutorials:

• Basic Polygon Creation (Planes, Cubes,Spheres)
• Setting Properties
• Choosing Materials and Geomety
• Setting up Cameras
• Setting up mouse interaction
• Setting up lights
• Light reactive materials
• Custom Geometry Classes
• and more…

They’re not gonna be in that order, but you get the idea. Hopefully i can get a new copy of Maya running, in which case I will do screen capture. Otherwise expect an encyclopedia of knowledge. If you have any major concerns that can’t wait, shoot me an email. Or leave me some comments, I’m here to help.

MultiScaleImage: Flex Deep Zoom Component

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Most people rarely ever care to look at what refesh rate their monitors are set to. Just tonite, I’d been working for a few hours, and I began to wonder why my eyes were hurting so much more to look at one monitor more than the other. I have a dual-monitors that are identical (one is a model year older than the other). at 1600×1200 one max’s out at 100HZ the other at 85HZ.

I plugged my laptop in not realizing Vista has a tendency of setting the monitor down to default frequency(60hz) just about everytime you plug in to an external monitor. *This applies only to the VGA connection and NOT DVI… I believe*

So i bumped my monitor back up, and now my eyes feel like they can handle a couple more hours of retina burning staring. Think I need some food first though.

Note to self: Food is important.

Dolled Up Mac N' Cheese

Simple recepie that adds a bit of luster to your Mac N’ Cheese, this serves 4. Remember the more greens on your plate the better.

• 1 Box White Cheddar Mac N’ Cheese
• 1-2 Boneless Chicken Breast
• 1-2 Italian Sausages
• 1/2 Green Bell Pepper
• 1/2 Orange Bell Pepper
• Small-Medium Onion
• The stuff on the Mac N’ Cheese Box (Water/Milk/Salt)

Start by prepping your vegetables, I chopped mine into fine squares. Grab your bell peppers and your onion and chop it up. Start boiling the water for the mac and cheese, generally about 6-cups of water, add a little more since you will also be adding the vegetables. Let that cook stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes.

Cut up your sausage or remove it from the casing, ground beef or ground turkey can work here as well. I cooked the meats in a frying pan adding salt and pepper to taste, and using a little bit of olive oil. Once the chicken is done, take it out and with two forks tear it apart. If your chicken is done it should shred fairly easily.

Drain your pasta, then add the remaining ingredients from your mac and cheese prep. This is probably about 1/4-cup of milk, 1/8th cup of butter, and the powder mix. While mixing, drop the meats into it as well. Serve on a bed of Spinach. (in the photo I put them next to each other to better show portion size, ALOT OF GREENS).

Serve with your favorite wine, a Cabernet or a Zinfandel are good wines to pair, if you don’t use any red meats pair it with a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc.

Enjoy 

30 Minute Meal

I came up with this earlier on a whim. I’ve been really enjoying cooking with red wine, and this is no exception. I like pairing a delicious wine with a nice cut of meat without breaking the bank. The hardest part about this whole thing is seasoning to taste.  This is for ONE (1) Person. If you want the recepie for more send me an e-mail and I’ll adjust it accordingly.

• 1/2 Cup of Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1/4lb – 1/2lb Filet Mignon
• 1 tbsp of Goya Adobo (Salt, Garlic, Oregano, Black Pepper, Tumeric)
• salt
• black pepper
• onion powder
• paprika
• 1 tbsp of Garlic Minced
• 1 tbsp of Parsley Finely Chopped
• 2 Baby Red Potatoes
• 2 cups of Baby Spinach
• Half of Green Bell Pepper Chopped
• Half of Red Bell Pepper Chopped
• 1/4th of Medium size Vidalia Onion Chopped
• 1/4th cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil EVOO)
• 1/4 cup of shredded Romano Cheese
• 1/4 cup of Parmesan Cheese
• 4 tbsp of Butter

Preheat oven to Broil.
Boil the potatoes for about 15 minutes or until soft. Remove potatoes and mash. Add salt and butter to taste.

Pour 1/4th cup of red wine into heated skillet and pan fry filet on each side for about 4 minutes on high heat. Mix a small amount of mash potatoes with cheese and add on top of filet for crust. Put filet on oven safe pan (metal or glass). Add more EVOO if needed, then broil for 10-25 minutes (15 minutes for Medium-Rare).

In the same frying pan as filet, insert bell peppers and onions add remaining EVOO and red wine, and let simmer for 10-15 minute, or until juices have soaked into the vegetables well. Serve vegetables on a bed of baby spinach.

Add  to plate remaining mash potatoes with Parsley and salt to taste, keep warm. Once done plate filet with mash potatoes and serve immediately, crust should be browning.

Serve with wine. ENjoy.