blog

Recent Events

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 01:07:17 +0100

Not much has been happening as I have had to make some modification to my computer, emergencies popped up here and there that have effectively set me back in the construction of a self contained lab/work shop. Things like that tend to happen when you get comfortable in the idea that every thing is going smooth and right.
Beyond the recent events this month; that is now nearly over, Has seen the latest updates from Mars and the prospects are not Grim but they are far from ideal. My reports can be found here .
My personal 3D modeling has yet again been pushed to the now crowded back burner and in the foreground is the radio station yet again as I have taken a second time slot. Not I will be hosting a show on Tue. 0600-0800GMT and Wed. 0700-0900GMT. The Tuesday show will devoted to the sciences with regards to updates in current developments, experimentation, breakthroughs, and fall outs.
Until next time:
Be Well and Safe in all endeavors.
~Twigg~

Weekly update.

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 01:12:01 +0100

I was unfortunately ill this past week, as such I was unable to complete a number of projects that I had slated for this update.
Progress is slower than I would like and I simply can not help overloading my self. With any luck I will have new images up from my 3D works, Chainmale, and the first images to land under the Science projects that I have set aside.

Short sweet and simple. That has about every thing there is thus far, Be well and I will be back next week.

Social Media and Me!

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:26:54 +0100

Seriously, I joined Facebook with my DJ character from Star Trek Online, and I personally am on Twitter now as well. Some of you might know that I am no fan of "the box" or social media in mass. While these two are no exceptions I can see how the global infrastructure is leaning ever more to this new mindset. While I use those about as often as I post a new blog, i.e. once a month or when ever I remember to sit down and do so.

I have some sad news to report; My lab has been down graded in favor of maintaining my health. That should be read as I am not going to be able to upgrade or rebuild a independent lab as I do so enjoy having a roof over my head and food on the table. This does not currently effect my "work shop" for chainmaile as that can be done at a small desk setup and does not require any sort of fire/explosion protection. What this does effect is the promise that I would be bringing you some rudimentary science experiments as I do not have the ability to build, machine, or extrapolate singularities of any sort.

My 3D work continues for the most part. There are some issues with not having enough space on my computer to hold the now massive amounts of textures that I have collected to utilize, however that is also in the works for correction directly above the new lab and under (somewhere) the keeping of the house and or moving to a new house.

Yes my wife and I are looking into moving in the next three to four years if every things gets settled properly. If we move the Lab will be next on the list, then I will be diving back into my "deep sciences" and engineering. Lots of clock work is planed out, some Water clocks and some displacement experiments as well.

Programing has me pulling out my hair, I have decided to focus entirely on C++ and drop the Python. There are a couple of projects that I have lined up, they are a bit more than I can handle for quite some time. But one day I will get there, for now I am working some basic calculators, RNG's, and statistic predictors. These will be used in conjunction with my pen&paper games, and some of the science experiments that I will start working on when the Lab if completed.

Also I am thinking about dropping the Blog in favor of a Vlog with a text overview of the the content and any bits that I might have forgotten. This once a week thing simply does not work well for me as I have been writing this one entry for better than an hour. I generally have to get up and leave it sitting for far to long before I can get back to it and by then I have forgotten what topic I was on and where I was going.

In short; Things have changed in favor of unstable planes and the world si upside down compaired to the rest of my universe.

Big Bada Boom....

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 02:53:24 +0100

    The last two weeks have been an overall nightmare; from supply mishaps and bad shipping, to a death in the family that has the entire crew turned on it's ear. Not to mention the various bits and bobs that go bad along the way.
My weekly show was canceled due to a malfunction in the hardware that I am unable to hunt down. Or it is something to do with my broadcasting software. Either way it is now a persistent issue as it occurred the week prior and needs to be sorted out before I pull the plug on the entire 'DJ-gig." Now that brings me to some rather serious topics, I desperately need the storage space that is being used by my music collection as my Textures and Models for my 3D work has exploded again... While this proposition is more than daunting and depressing I fear that it might just be the only way to attempt to regain some Honest sanity and less heart attacks.
     Oh yea that is right, I had my 3rd heart attack this past week from 9-05-12. So what ever date that would have been on a Tuesday. Then the headset issues with that show and that is what about set it in concrete.
    My 3D work is moving more slow than productive and my 'eye' is all but closed at this point. which brings me back to the chainmaile that is going well. My shipment of coil rods came in just the other day and I am waiting on the Calipers to show up tomorrow according to the tracking.So the next sale or two will be used for Wire and Cutters, the price for a decent pair of compound snips is higher than I ever remember. But that is what can be expected after so many years of not having a fully equipped work shop. I miss that old trailer.
    Getting back into my chianmaile is fine with the exception that I can not work as fast as I used to with out letting my hands rest for a while. But the production has never been an issue other than materials to produce from. The promotion is the difficult part, Storefronts are jacking up prices for displays and Circuit vendors want more stock than I have available or could produce with the current stock of Materials, So I am back around to the site and one other Donation to Subspace Radio that has yet to be picked up. IF it is not checked up on soon then I will be forced to retract the offer in favor of sending the pieces to local events where I know the odds of making even a single sale will prove more beneficial that holding on to dusty old shipping envelopes.
    Back to my remaining a DJ for Subspace Radio; I will be weighing these options as to what will holds the greatest payout in the end. However, right off the top One was for fun and became a job; the Other started off a goal and fun only to becomes a source of self doubt and belligerence.
    All I need is an extra 12 hours on the clock and one more me and I will have every thing set precisely as it needs to be.
    That about pulls it all together and lays it out. I have one 3D scene I am working on, but my computer really does not like the new Blender Cycles engine. So i am still working in the new Blender version, just in the old style of Blender Render engine. Once I manage to upgrade my computer, also on the list of stress producers, I will move over to the Blender Cycles engine and learn it's new physics aspects.
    Alright so that was not all of it, My pet project as also made a Major change to it's base function that was already planed on just not thought out entirely... So after putting a solid half months dedication to the process, I came to the realization that My original GDD was more accurate that I anticipated and holds twice as much work lined out through the entire setup and base build however if it is worked out the way it is set up the latter works and set ups will be much easier to utilize for the design team; should I ever get an actual helper... lol
    So that brings me to C++ and Python; C++ for the eventual creation of a game engine with all preconceptions corner-stoned so that the fleshing out will be that much easier. Should I laugh or cry or both?
"Dream Big and Reach for the Stars." That is what they told me growing up, instead I decide to take nothing and create my own stars and dream small. Give me the choice right now and I would take a place in the country with hardly the heat to survive the winters with out a proper fire.
    That covers it all. If not then I might have another heart attack before we move out of here.

Really Late

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:35:48 +0100

You know how life can explode, and not in that good fun way either. Yea, this has been a rather 'hectic' week or so. I have managed to change my sleep schedule to a 32-36hr. clock. That involves something like an hour or two of sleep ever 8-10hr. awake. While there has been some controversy over the subject among the Neurological Community as the the best sleep cycle for every one; I am of the mind that Sleep fall under the same category as Dietary intake. Each person should find what works best for them. But enough with the secondary studies.
    Lets move on to what was accomplished in this past week. First off, I have made my first sale of chainmaile heading Over Seas. Secondly there is the creations of new chianmaile pieces, and a New weave entirely, That was fun. New Images have been uploaded to the site, and the Chainmaile section has grown to require it's own set up.
    In the world of Blender, New projects are mulled over; kicked to the curb, recollected, cleaned up, studied, booted out the door again, and I still have not decided on a single Project to go through. I am thinking that it will not more than a single video however. Perhaps, "Bones and Rigging" or even something a little simpler such as "Bump maps and Normal maps." That one is still up for debate. Granted I only have one subscriber to my youtube page, however that is 100% improvement to not haveing a channel at all or no Subscribers there for a short time.
    Let there Be Science!!!! And so it is getting closer to being completed. That is the "Self Filling Flask" project that I started what,... almost a month ago now ? The Functioning aspects of the project are in working order now I am working on the Framework for it. Surprisingly a Single bottle of soda has a substantial weight. There is a equation that can be used to find the exact weight of water. The same equation is the one being tested in this Project. It follows the thought of mind;
        "If water has weight, and it can be focused in small amount space, the force of the static weight should cause the outflow of liquid to gain a height greater than that of the standing collection. Thus enabling it flow back into it's own reservoir."
    Once that is set up, flowing and videoed; I will be moving on the "Herons' Fountain." the first recorded evidence of Pneumatics being used in the 1st Century. honestly when we look at things like the Great Pyramids and every one is all up in arms about how they built things on that scale in those times... Why does no one ever remember that they DID have hydraulic pressure systems and, And a vastly advanced mathematics understanding to compliment a solid understanding of Physics and Clockwork?? More on that when the project actually gets underway.
    On the radio front, Every Wed. Morning at 0200-0500 Central / 0700-0900 GMT I host a radio show on Subspace radio "The Voice of Star Trek Online." The listeners are some of the best that I could hope for. Across the globe from Australia, Germany, Whales, England, Canada, India, and of course the US. They have been nothing but supportive, friendly, and helpful. Each and every one of them deserve a write up of their own, but it will have to remain as a blanketed gratitude for each and every one. If you have not tuned into SSR before, then I really have to wonder how you found your way to my blog. However if that is the case then you should tune in, not to just my show but we are gaining new DJ's all the time and each one has a show all their own.
    Finally, not really but I am going to stop here anyways. My Airbrush arts may make a surprisingly quick if not all together brief return. I might not have much in the way of supplies any longer, and I still have yet to acquire a new compressor, but I still have a couple of cans of air and the most aggravatingly cheep single action 'gun' on the market. But I need to get back at it and start cutting some friskets for some basic space-scape images.
   So that should about cover all the basics, More updates to follow when they happen. I really need to slowdown, but things just keep picking up speed.

Only a touch late.

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:24:37 +0100

Really I was wanting to have this done a couple of days ago, but alas I have lost to time and Blender. Blender Blunder-3 still seems to get away from me on either time or execution. Two new models have sprung from this however, My personal Bird of Prey, and a fully rigged and animated creature. More on those as they develop.
I have to take some time to say Thank you to every one that has and continued to support me. Now I would like you to direct you attention to a dear friend of mine who is in need of some support. http://www.gofundme.com/zfvmc
I know things are getting rather difficult for every one, so I am putting on a one time offer on my chainmail work.
~~For the next 2 days (8-9-12 & 1-10-12) all chainmail orders will be used to help him out. ~~

Look for New Weaves and complete pieces to be posted this week. Send all inquiries to Me.
See you latter.
~Twigg~

Well that was an exciting week.

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 01:13:04 +0100

It seems that in getting "ManyCam" up and working messed up my copy of "CamStudio." Alright, well that is not fun at all and has been driving me half mad for a couple days now.
So all subsequent Videos from here on in will be from "ManyCam." I hate the logo too, But I am not going to deny them the chance to make money while I am using the product for free.
Also it seems that The first Video; "Quick Into-1" was not working properly. That has been moved to Youtube as well and is back up. So if you thought that the Second vid was a bit confusing then this might Clear it up.
With that being said, I am still in the process of recording the 3rd installment of Blender Blunders. Hopefully soon(ish), I will have a fair amount of new 3D scenes to show off and perhaps some basic animations.
"... And then THE WORLD!" No, really. I will be starting with some basic planetary movements, orbits, etc. Really boring stuff.
So that seems to cover most of the 3D projects that are coming up. In other news; the Chainmaile is rather new to the site and up to date with only the most recent works. That is also the reason while all future Screencasts will have that blasted logo plastered over the lower right hand corner. :/
I have two pieces already in the works, another 'Necklace' and a set of 'Bracelets.' They will be able to be worn as separate items, but will be made as a Complete Set.
"Let there be Science!" And is was added to the Visual Media page already. At least the place holder has been. The first project will be a "Self Filling Flask." This is a 1st Century(if I am not mistaken) realization/invention that most of the world has forgotten about. Along with "The Heron's Fountain." Both are proof Positive of Perpetual Motion. However Neither is substantial enough to generate the kind of power output that the human race has come to be dependent upon.
And on the other side of reality, The Radio shows seem to be going well. The number of people that turn out for my parties is still fluctuating but growing. I started a series of Lessons in Klingon, opened my 'big mouth' and turned it into a contest... Now I spend my free in-game time scanning down crafting Materials and pass them out. With the latest updates in the game this is now an acceptable prize. Not the Grand prize mind you, but entry prizes all the same.
So that should about wrap Last week up. Now to cram as much as I can into the rest of this week and really make it count... yea right.
Talk to ya then.
~Twigg~

Back again

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:01:08 +0100

So I am just a tad bit late this time around, but I think I was early last week so it all balances out right? At any rate I have been fighting with my broadcasting software on top of my normal chaotic life. The 1 radio show turned into 2 shows this morning at the last minute. Technically there was one last night and one this Morning only about two hours apart but both before and after Midnight local time. There was a follow up to the video in the last segment, "Quick Intro-1" should have been titled "Blender Blunders-1." That just seems to be the way of things, Also I had to stop using the file share company that holds the first Video as they changed the free user storage limit and I have already nearly filled that with the one video. I am thinking now that I will retain the service for my Still Images and save the storage space I have here at the site host for other things. As it stands now all Videos will be hosted via YouTube and links can be found in the Visual Media tab there on the left.
While I intended to showcase Sculptris this week here in the blog, I bumbled about, lost a couple of files and textures, and was overall unsatisfied with the resulting Video. Every attempt to remake the video has met with 'Unfortunate' captures of me yelling at the cats for being unholy,cute, terrors. I will be reviewing Sculptris in a latter update and for now I will leave you with the Follow up to the "Quick Intro-1" video from last week.
Blender Blunder-2

Until Next week; May you all be well and fortunate in all endeavors.
~Twigg~

Secondary agendas

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:59:15 +0100

Alright, so I made it back in a week. Only just mind you but a week non the less. I have had a grand time playing with a number of video capture software, specifically aimed to capture my screen. After some poking, prodding, and finally getting my hammers out; I managed to to get a decent Blender intro worked up.
This is a very rough almost crash course in Blender3Dv2.63. Not to be taken as the work of a Professional.
I have made several attempts to do this over the week, and was faced with the problem of timing. It seems that several of them where far to long and simply would not save properly. This one however is not terrible so I am putting it up in the New Video Category of the Newly renamed Image Directory. Hereby to be know as Visual Media.
V.M. will be reworked with a nice little rug to sweep all those old images under.
So until Next week I hope that you enjoy this short Video {5:50} Quick Intro-1

I am serious this time! ...

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 18:29:19 +0100

I know it has been a very long time and that is no way to do anything of any remembrance.

For a quick catch up; Life went splodie again and I was once again with out my bumbershoot. I have managed to land on my heels and aim to keep my balance. Recently, as in the past few months, I have joined the family of Subspace-radio, where I host a weekly show in Star Trek Online. This is a major activity change for me in proverbial "Uncharted Skies."
It seems that the audience that I play for enjoy and appreciate my company as much as I do theirs.

As for the Site; There have been some noticeable and discrete changes. First is the change to a darker tone in general appearance, a few pages have been reworked and the forums are no longer included in any section. Also my email has changed and I believe that all the links here-in have been updated. But as it is now better than 21hr.s awake I will not make any promises. There also might be the possibility that I will start including video blogs from various modeling, SAI, Terragen2, or game play to some of these little updates.
Quick Edit :: video embedding failed, resorting to direct links.
CamStudio Test-1

But as it stands now, I am tired and have rambled on for far to long and far to little.
Until next week, take care.
~Twigg~