As I was preparing a talk about Virtual Worlds search I was happy to see that Second Life now supports results on the web. There are few bugs -- but it is working. This has a lot of potential. I like it. (to get the url, go to the new search in-world, and copy the url from the lower part of the results).
Examples:
TDT3D is now offering an updated comparison table of 3D tools. I have looked at it few times and they guy is updating the list from time to time. (another good source is of course the compare table of the CG Society ): Here's what the author says:
If you ever wanted starting in 3D creation today, you probably need to know with which 3D applications package with you will feel better and which is the most suitable for you and business ?
Summary Table:Many new CG artists try many softwares before really starting their 3D business, that's of courses the best solution to try out and know if you feel coMfortable with one than other, so after you can't know all specs of all 3D softwares when starting in 3D...
Here is a comparison table with cons. and pro. for the most know today top industries 3D applications. This table isn't intended to be complete with all softwares features available but try to surround the common today 3D cg artist tasks.
| 3ds max | By far the most well know and used 3D dcc applications in the industries all around the world, so the prices for freelance is too much expenssive and old core based. The Bad since version 7 is the price vs poor new features, evolving ! | ||||||
| Maya | One of the most know by popularity in the Film and VFX industries. Maya downside's is on learning curve interface not intuitive and ! | ||||||
| Blender | A good all around application first for freelance. Blender downside's is on interface, who is not today "industries" common (no drag & drop, poor intuitive tools,...) and structured / centralised documentations, so it's the best free all arround solution. | ||||||
| Modo | Probably the most modern 3D software and it is being developed rapidly. Very affordable and has a super strong user community. Multi-threading and a super flexible user interface And 3D sculpting tools! | ||||||
| Cinema4D | Very good all around application suitable for freelance/designer best quality tools for the price ! Not enough popular yet ! | ||||||
| LightWave | An old but very powerful suitable first for VFX and VIZ market. LightWave downside's is on Rig tools, so Render engine and shaders are the best you can found ! | ||||||
| Softimage XSI | No doubt for the prices the Foundation is the best all around, so Imports/Exports is the dark side, but for 450 euro you can't get better (exlude Blender for free !) | ||||||
A set of intro movies in Hebrew thanks to Leonid and Leo:
סרטוני הדרכה:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQ4mXT-doE
פרק 2 - מאפיינים והגדרות (00:22)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WO1nMhykm4
פרק 3 - כניסה ראשונה (00:57)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjb5_7kC5LY
פרק 4 - תנועה וצילום (00:44)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uogzqxFAXzc
פרק 5 - פגישות וחברות (01:10)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAKxdT9X_Do
פרק 6 - בנייה בסיסית (01:32)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCLH53-_0LY
פרק 7 - קרדיט ליוצרים (00:32)
A full list of tips for google gmail. Love them.
http://g04.com/misc/GmailTipsComplete.html
This small web based tool allow you to save videos from you-tube like sites into several format. Simple use. If you have further experience with this please let me know in comments. I have used it once and it worked well.
http://www.savetube.com/
An older tool that stopped working could be found here:
http://vixy.net/
The latest site to cover MMOG subscription. In the site words: "current subscription information or wondering just how many people play a specific MMOG, you’ve come to the right place." This is a continuation of the work "the awesome www.mmogchart.com for information on the MMOG market which was created and maintained by SirBruce for many years, however since 2006 SirBruce has not updated the site."
Site new home is: http://mmogdata.voig.com/
I have been looking for a long time for a unified IM, PHONE, SMS etc tool.
I think Fring has a good start. I am using it on my Nokia e61. You load the program (go to their site http://www.fring.com and register, you get SMS, and then download the software).
Then you give Fring your Gtalk, Skype, and other user name and passwords. The software load your friends, and then allow you to chat with them AND TALK with them (cool).
Fring works on both WIFI and 3G - so you can be connected all the time. I had 100% good results in chat; and 80% good results with VOICE (from both WIFI and 3G).
A nice feature allow you to load your regular phone contacts and make Fring calls to them.
Thanks to Yossi Fatael for the link.
Still some work to be done on usability, But a VERY good start.
I like to see what people are putting on their walls. Few days ago in a friend at Afeka I found these 10 rules from the IDF. Due to their secrecy I will not translate them to English. It is amazing how right they right. Usefull in day-to-day small to large scale tasks.
If you want to translate or comment let me know.
Thanks to Zohar Dvir.
3D engines database is technical for development of worlds. This is a good source for various engines. Note Open source engines; as well as public ones. Reviews are not the best but a start. Some engines are very old and no longer under development.
Two Second Life windows at the same time on the computer.
The trick is to use the -multiple modifier.
Just write: ["C:\Program Files\SecondLife\SecondLife.exe" -multiple] in the
"target" windows of the short cut. (no need for the "[,]").
This video explore GMail. And.. yes GMail has changed my life.
GMail is not just another email program. It is different, better, smarter. Note that GMail does take some time to get used to it (especially if you are an old Outlook addict like myself). Cool features include being able to pull email from all my accounts, interactive folders (using search), and yes amazing spam manager. What I like espeically:
Btw, with Google Desktop search (yes Gmail is integrated with Google Desktop serach) one could even have minimal off-line capabilities.
For information -- and a mini workshop -- as to how to connect Second Life see this page
Using Remote resources in Second Life. (Was written by Alon Shalita in 2007 as part of our Tel Aviv University course).
One often need to cut parts of the screen to store them for Blogs, Demos, or any other use. There are several tools out there -- I use Gadwin that allow you to capture gifs to clipboard, printer, and file. More info www.gadwin.com. Download the specific software here.
I have been using the E61 Nokia mobile phone. and with Gmail client... I am a happy camper. There are bugs (i.e., does not read all files) but overall value is good.
I am still struggling with connecting my Google addresses, phone addresses, and outlook addresses. Still using calendar on good old outlook.
2 years ago I was looking for a bug and issue tracking software. Excel simply did not have enough cells. There were few options and we chose Jira (www.jira.com) Atlassian Software from -- something in their web site looked good. We installed the software, it looked good, paid the very low fee (I think it was around $2000 or s0) and started to work.
Well, my life as a manager were transformed. !!! I'm very happy. The software simply work and work and work. In 24 months we turn to Jira to manage all that we do. From mnagaging install for new computers, to manageing partners, clients, and our own internal team. There are endless options to modify the Jira to your needs.
You will need to invest 2-3 hrs learning the software -- but once you get it -- you will have a friend for life. I love it.
Good old packman as a google home page. Fast response almost like the real thing. Especailly good for borring conference calls. Have fun.
