Our department decided to create a digest for tech talk and tracking. If you have new technology to share with the group, add a post here. Maybe you figured out a short cut on production, or discovered some tech trick. If you think it’s techrific please share. Don't forget to use labels it's much easier for sorting. Labels in Blogger=categories. If you need help getting started with Blogger let me know.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Cartography with Photoshop
While looking for mapmaking resources for the iPhone game I'm working on, I stumbled upon a nice series of Photoshop tutorials called Fantasy Cartography with Adobe Photoshop (link goes to the first episode). Basically, it's a video series showing a lot of cartography tips and tricks for fantasy RPG games, but the tips and tricks are applicable to many other pursuits with Photoshop, as well.
In particular, I learned a lot about adjustment layers and working with Photoshop to achieve maximal flexibility without relying on the undo history. The adjustment layer and masking tools were introduced after I first began using Photoshop, and I hadn't taken the time to delve into them. These tutorials really drove home how to integrate them easily into your Photoshop work and how flexible they make your Photoshop documents down the road.
In particular, I learned a lot about adjustment layers and working with Photoshop to achieve maximal flexibility without relying on the undo history. The adjustment layer and masking tools were introduced after I first began using Photoshop, and I hadn't taken the time to delve into them. These tutorials really drove home how to integrate them easily into your Photoshop work and how flexible they make your Photoshop documents down the road.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
11 Free And Useful Open-Source Alternatives For Designers - Opensource, Free and Useful Online Resources for Designers and Developers
11 Free And Useful Open-Source Alternatives For Designers - Opensource, Free and Useful Online Resources for Designers and Developers: "11 Free And Useful Open-Source Alternatives For Designers in which most of them are cross-platform."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Cameron Moll on Conference Speaking
Cameron Moll just blogged 20 tips for better conference speaking.
'80s Flashback With 'Retro Game Challenge
Retro Game Challenge' for the Nintendo DS, a collection of new games designed to mimic and parody those of the 1980s
http://www.wired.com/video/latest-videos/latest/1815816633/80s-flashback-with-retro-game-challenge/13389089001
Friday, February 13, 2009
Creating a Necromancer for Castle Crashers
Dan Paladin of The Behemoth continues his Flash videos, this time showing how he created the Necromancer level and boss. Be sure to check out his other video for creating the Frost King!
http://www.vimeo.com/3170624
TED: David Merrill: Siftables, the toy blocks that think
MIT grad student David Merrill demos Siftables -- cookie-sized, computerized tiles you can stack and shuffle in your hands. These future-toys can do math, play music, and talk to their friends, too. Is this the next thing in hands-on learning?
Pretty Cool
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_merrill_demos_siftables_the_smart_blocks.html
Pretty Cool
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_merrill_demos_siftables_the_smart_blocks.html
Thursday, February 12, 2009
How Not To Sort By Average Rating
How Not To Sort By Average Rating is a discussion on how to take ratings and make them meaningful for any number of reviews. I've actually been wondering about this for a while, especially since we sometimes talk about "a web site where kids or parents can rate games". It's nice to know that the problem is solved when we go to implement...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
YourFonts
YourFonts - Generate Your Own Fonts Online
With YourFonts you can make a TrueType font from your own handwriting for free. The process is simple, quick and basically idiot-proof. Print out a template from the site, write in your letters, scan, upload and -- voila -- there you have it.
I thought this might be cool for the ATV project...
With YourFonts you can make a TrueType font from your own handwriting for free. The process is simple, quick and basically idiot-proof. Print out a template from the site, write in your letters, scan, upload and -- voila -- there you have it.
I thought this might be cool for the ATV project...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Oregon Trail
http://www.offworld.com/2009/02/apple-classic-oregon-trail-com.html
A remake of the oregon trail is coming to the iPhone and iPod Touch, with updated graphics! I just hope they are tasteful in their depiction of dysentary.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Presentation Zen: Lessons from the art of storyboarding
Cool Google video about Lessons from the art of storyboarding.
WhatTheFont
WhatTheFont!!
Great tool. A friend just yesterday asked me what font was on a logo a client had given him. The client did not have any of the original artwork and needed it recreated... enter WhatTheFont. It worked like a charm. Just uploaded an image(they list specifications but I just uploaded the logo with no tweaking) It still worked and gave me the right font.
Great tool. A friend just yesterday asked me what font was on a logo a client had given him. The client did not have any of the original artwork and needed it recreated... enter WhatTheFont. It worked like a charm. Just uploaded an image(they list specifications but I just uploaded the logo with no tweaking) It still worked and gave me the right font.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Creating an Undead Cyclops
Dan Paladin, an animator for The Behemoth (makers of Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers) has a time-lapse video up showing how he created and animated his undead cyclops boss using Flash.
http://coldhardflash.com/2009/02/harness-and-hanson-rock-ghost-town.html
LeapFrog announces educational, interactive Zippity - Engadget
Zippity - Engadget
I want the adult version of this thing. I like the organic look and the color.
I want the adult version of this thing. I like the organic look and the color.
Amazon moves into casual gaming
Amazon moves into casual gaming
Maybe temper the enthusiasm... I went to download one of the free sample games and they are Windows only. Oh well.
Maybe temper the enthusiasm... I went to download one of the free sample games and they are Windows only. Oh well.