Wednesday 9 November 2011

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT: The Tutorial




Intermediate users of the sandbox 2 editor will make great sense of my tutorial. Beginners may encounter some problems such as how to import a sketch up model or how to create their own custom environments. This is why links have been left in the description encase a level of knowledge above that of a typical user is needed. 
  

Velocity & Movement


By analysing the velocity of a vehicle (data collection) it can also have an impact on a moving entity. My tutorial subject establishes a simple yet effective way of measuring velocity of a vehicle and displaying this information on screen. Once this information is understood, you can then use this data to affect entities in the same environment.   

In the tutorial my custom Flowgraph analyses a moving vehicle. This is done by recording the velocity of the vehicle in m/sec through a flowgraph. This information is then displayed as a HUD message on screen and can be used to determine various other aspects of the moving vehicle such as average top speed over a specific distance. The information is then passed on to make an entity move. The ramp entity in this case rises to a specific height when the vehicle reaches a speed over 10 m/sec and descends once the vehicle is below this velocity as it is only safe to hit the ramp at this speed in order to clear the concrete barrier behind it. Therefore if the vehicle does not reach a minimum speed of 10m/sec it will crash into the concrete barrier behind.

Before this tutorial, I had very little knowledge on how the flowgraph plugin system worked. I always knew how to do simple graphs like making entities move at the press of a key, or switching lights on and off with proximity triggers . I knew there was a gap of knowledge missing until I started to watch and try other tutorials such as Vinh Nguyen’s average velocity of the local player tutorial. I then began to experiment more with flow graph nodes establishing a strong basis on what each does. The math less node was one that I was particularly interested in as I could say if data was above the threshold, move to this position, however if it’s below do not. Also vec3 nodes as they concerted data into a length vector. They simplify data in order for other nodes to read.  Many things can relate to this concept of velocity and movement, in particular I was thinking of way architectural thinking could apply to this concept. For instance solar panels that follow the intensity of the sun or once a vehicle reaches sufficient speed building appear would never be seen when the vehicle was stopped. Perhaps a growing city even, that’s dependent data being constantly updated to see if its area and density increases.  
EXPERIMENT 2: The Analytics Engine 
Final Documentary 




THE LIFE RAFT 

Like a floating cosmos in the ocean Life Rafts could be situated anywhere in the worlds vast open waters. Imagine an oversized structure where boats and their stranded passengers can rest, recover, seek safety and shelter. They can simply park their boats, get out and can walk around. A helicopter landing pad is located on its roof as well as 30 rotating shutters which relate to light intensity data. Its slightly see-through multi-coloured façade also lights up in relation to this data like a diamond in the ocean attracting travellers like a lighthouse, only difference is when theres no land in sight for miles.




Light Intensity taken from a pachube feed is translated and analysed through this custom instillation. The data  allows a viewer to draw conclusions that would be difficult (or impossible) to reach by interrogating the data in its raw form. Dependant on light intensity data my instillation known as the 'Life Raft'  responds in two ways:

1. Shutter Rotation 
2. Façade Glow 

The instillation depicted, responds to light intensity data ranging from 0-1023. A high value currently represents low light intensity, and a low value represents high intensity. This data is then translated into a rotation angle of the roof shutters. For example when there is high light intensity (A low number) shutters remain closed or on a slightly angular rotation. This keeps the life raft shaded, on the other hand low light intensity, see the shutters open to allow maximum light dispersion. 

Data is also linked to the façade glow as the life raft heavily relies on its visibility to attract surrounding boats in the midst of darkness. Low light intensity triggers the façade to glow as this most likely occurs at night. Just like a lighthouse the life raft however is a safe house in the centre of vast open seas for safety and emergency purposes. Powered by solar, stranded passengers can call for help or arrange a helicopter pick-up.  

Crysis Wars Mod Folder
(All Files to 'Play" test my Crysis Wars Environment)

  http://www.gamefront.com/files/20979256/z3376524_Exp2.zip


Instructions

Np_8 – activates the final xml flow graph when pressed. Once in game the player can walk around receive multiple data sets every time the key is pressed consecutively. 

Np_7 – activates the draft flow graph testing shutter rotation. 

Boats and the helicopter are interactive and allow the player to gain a wider knowledge from the concept, idea and data. Feel free to drive around and experience the Life raft as it should be. It is also best to view the instillation at night to see the full effect of the façade glow.


Final Sketchup Model with all Components


EXPERIMENT 2: The Analytics Engine 
Week 06- Second Draft of Analytics Engine & Review 



 Building the bridge between architecture and Urban Design is the ability to evaluate environmental data in addition to representing it. This is done through the crisis wars environment I have designed and created. 

A distinctive and significant way of analysing data in Sandbox 2 is through xml files. As xml files hold data and values that can be represented on screen , I have found that they can also very easily be linked to movements such as velocity, rotation, scale, glow and particles effects in game. The flowgaph shows my first attempt at reading an xml file and displaying its single piece of data on screen. This was later developed after looking at 's post on how to reed multiple xml files rather than just one.  


Data from a Pachube light sensor feed is transferred into the real-time engine allowing the player to engage with the instillation. The data is represented through 31 to be precise, rotating shutters on the roof of the life raft. From the Pachube feed an xml in my mods folder has multiple data sets. Data ranging from 0-1023 is then translated using flowgraph nodes and assigned entities to change to an angle between 0 and 90 degrees. The low the data the higher the light intensity is. This is why the shutters remain closed blocking out as much light as they can. A high number correlated to low light intensity which see the shutter angle open up and more light dispersion through the structure. 

For example data ranging from:

0 -255.75 correlates to the shutters staying closed   
255.5 – 511.5 correlates to the shutters opening on a 35 degree angle
511.5- 767.25 correlates to the shutters opening up to a 45 degree angle  
767.25- 1023 corrleated to the shutters opening to a 90 degree angle 

As a person engages with the instillation and environment they can see data being translated in real time to the rotation of these shutters. The façade glow is also linked as you can see in the flowgraph to when there is low light intensity from the data ranging from 0 – 255.75 allowing the instillation to become heavily illuminated.HUD messages have also been linked so that all changing data can be represented in relation to the changing angle. 

This is detailed in the following screen captures of my custom flow graph. 
 














Tuesday 11 October 2011

EXPERIMENT 2: The Analytics Engine 
Week 05- First draft of my Analytics Engine & Review



In this flowgraph I have successfully been able to link the rotation of the shutters to a key being pressed. As you can see when the np_7 key is pressed, three seconds later shutters move to 180 degrees which is 90 degrees from their original rotation position of 90 degrees. As the shutters only move on one axis I have realised if they have been rotated before being placed in the static position, this becomes their starting rotation angle. 

For example if the starting rotation angle is 90 degrees and the shutter is flat, then to make the shutter move vertically open, 180 degrees needs to be written in the x axis, even though its only moves 90 degrees. This has been aided by the help I have received from my tutor. I think this could definitely be developed. This has been aided by the help I have received from my tutor. I think this could definitely be developed into a more complex flow graph where different angles could directly correlate to xml data.  

As the shutters only move on one axis I have realised if they have been rotated before being placed in the static position, this becomes their starting rotation angle. For example if the starting rotation angle is 90 degrees and the shutter is flat, then to make the shutter move to be vertically open 180 degrees needs to be written in the x axis. HUD messages have also been linked so that all changing data can be represented in relation to the changing angle. This has been aided by the help I have received from my tutor. I think this could definitely be developed into a great way to analyse data. My analytics engine from this point is slowly progressing. 


Tuesday 4 October 2011

EXPERIMENT 2: The Analytics Engine 
Week 03- Final Brief for Analytics Engine (Change of Concept from previous) 

The Brief

Like a floating cosmos in the ocean Life Rafts could be situated anywhere in the worlds vast open waters. Imagine an oversized structure where boats and their stranded passengers can rest, recover, seek safety and shelter. They can simply park their boats, get out and can walk around. A helicopter landing pad is located on its roof as well as 30 rotating shutters which relate to light intensity data. Its slightly see-through multi-coloured façade also lights up in relation to this data like a diamond in the ocean attracting travellers like a lighthouse, only difference is when theres no land in sight for miles.      




EXPERIMENT 2: The Analytics Engine 
Week 03- Demonstration
EXPERIMENT 2: The Analytics Engine 
Week 03- Tasks 

Draft Brief

After consulting my tutor Vinh Nguyen I have developed these two main ideas for my EXP2 Analytics Engine.My Analytics Engine for EXP 2 is looking at Light Intensity and its impact on a space (entity). I wish to represent this information from my given Pachube feed. This will be done through an instillation that is submerged below ground level completely controlled by rotating shutters on the roof façade. 

In order to convey this concept i will need to link/embed flowgraphs in objects, spaces, vehicles and players. My main instillation wil be custom designed and built in SketchUp.
Overall I am mainly veering towards proposition 2 as it is a more challenging concept that showing my skills and knowledge in the Crysis Sandbox Editor. It also has a strong link to my chosen Pachube feed analysing its data in a unique way.   

Proposition 1

Rather than a front façade the entire subfloor is dependent on the angle of the roof shutters. The higher the value from the XML the lower the light levels.  When light levels are low, shutters are open so that the little light in the environment can enter the space. On the other hand when the light intensity is high shutters are closed, or at 45 degrees. Overall Light intensity will need to be representation in the following rotation spectrum.  0 (Closed Morning) 45 (East face open) 90 ( straight up) 135 ( West face open) 180 (closed Night). 

Proposition 2
 
This is one idea that might slightly change. I could also link light intensity to the height of the spaces below for example a high light intensity will bring sub floor structures closer to the surface maximising light that they can absorb. Low light intensity on the other hand will spaces height decrease as they don’t need to be subject to as much light. The shutters can then be rotated due to the time of day and position of the sun, where various lights and shadows are casted on the spaces below.

My Analytics Engine




How my Analytics Engine will allow a viewer to draw conclusions that would be difficult (or impossible) to reach by interrogating the data in raw form.

As a person engages with the instillation and environment they can see data being translated in real time to the positioning/growth of certain entities. Overtime (One day) they can see a 3D model change subject to light intensity.Conclusions are then able to be made as this rare form of data representation (through an active 3D Model) is expressed. This data alone however would be impossible to understand in its raw form (without the 3D model)

EXPERIMENT 2: The Analytics Engine 
Week 03- INDEPENDENT STUDY  
Infographics 
1. Map of the Internet



This inforgraph is a layout of all the networks that are interconnected to form the internet. Some are run by small and large ISPs, university networks, and customer networks - such as Facebook and Google. It’s visual representation of all those networks interconnecting with one another, forming the internet as we know it. Based on the size of the nodes and the thickness of the lines, it speaks to the size of those particular providers and the connections. 


 2. Visualizing Daily Activities With Media Wheel


This inforgraph illustrates how people in a particular segment engage with different media.The wheel visualizes how people consumer different types of media over the course of a day. For example, DVD/Video is mostly consumed in the evening and Newspaper is mostly consumed in the morning. each slice is a different type of media, and the consumption levels are shown by how bright the colors are at that time of day.

3. The Ride of Your Life 


The Ride of Your Life is a very cool, interesting infographic using the subway map design style to show the potential dark side of capitalism. As a reader, you really need to look closely, and appreciate the level of detail and connections included in this design. The creator intrigued by the fact that people in liberal capitalist societies tend to feel less happy than in many others with significantly less wealth. This made him think of the role of persuasion industries. The overall message is that the dark side of Capitalism “can” lead to Misery, and the branches explore different aspects of business and personal life influences.