Mudbox teturirng

So here a few screen shots of my model in Mudbox. Really liking the program and i could spend so much more time on it. Aim for to day and tomorrow is to finish the models which is enough time i think. After lunch its just the the main tree trunk to finish then pull the maps from the models.

Maya 3D model almost done

So here is the final maya model of my tree installation, tomorrow I will be importing it into Mubbox to add a bit of detail and to hopeful UV map it.

Eyewriter

When I first seen this a couple of months ago I thought it would be too complex for myself to build but after looking through the eyewriter website I think I might give it a try, reckon I will only take a weekend. Only thing is am not too sure how I can use it to explore a 3D space.

Eyewriter website :  www.eyewriter.org

Abit of research of what Wii controller hacks are out there

This project my Johnny Lee looks like it could be the most useful as 1) its very cheap to create 2) it has elements of exploring a space (a 2D space but hopefully with a little work it can work with a 3D space) and 4) the source code is available on Lee web site.

Heres the link to Johnny Lee's site : http://johnnylee.net/projects/wii/

Also I found a blog called Hack A Day which is full of Wii controller hacks, just now am making my way though it researching for any other relative hacks
                        

Time to get the computer ready

So my computer been running like something form the stone-age, crashing every two mins and misbehaving plus there is no more disk space left. So the plan is to wipe it clean, divide the disk, install windows to run Maya, Perimere and Photoshop on one side. On the other install Linux so I can use the the Wii controller to interact with the installation.

Not sure how am going to get the Wii controller to explore a 3D virtual space. My frist aim is to get it working with Linux which shouldnt be too hard since there is a few online how-tos. The next step is use the controller to explore a 2D space then 3D.

Some rendered concept art

Few days ago I was pretty ill. Lucky for me my computer is at the bottom of my bed and my graphic tablet at the top, so I hit out a couple of renders of the possible colours which might be used. Am still not sure which colours I will use yet as I have not yet decided fully which direction I want to take the installation.

Research photography

Since I am currently modelling a tree as my digital artefact for my project I felt it was important to grab a few photos to use as ref images, These are all from Dudhope park beside Lochee road. If the light stay good am going to try and collect a few more photographs tomorrow.

Antony Gormley - The Iron Man on BBC Iplayer

Currently on the BBC Iplayer there is a documentary on the sculptor  Antony Gormley exploring the meaning of his works and how they have developed since the Angle of the North. I couldn't help but think of Gormley work as installations while watching this documentary even through his works are reguarded as sculpor since the location and surroundings are very important in his work. This made me to think of the difference between sculptor and installation, is it that sculptor repersends the human forum wether as installation repersends sociality as a whole?


Quick edit: here is the link; click here

Digital artefact : the tree

This is the full view of the Tree. the tree is a digital virtual environment of a tree which has been uprooted and is floating in an dark back space (almost like space but with nothing but the tree). As the user exports the tree thought movement of the Wii controller they see writing under the bark (bits of the bark have fallen off). the writing under the bark could possibility be of child hood menioses or the text from school books reminding them of the act of exploring their environment as a child. I choose a tree because my own menioses of child hood often involved climbing trees, bulding tree houses and dens (which where often under or around the base of tree trunks) and generally playing among the trees in my parents back garden.

 Close up view of the texture of the tree branches showing the written text under the bark. In this drawing the text was taking from random books and magazines.

Interactive installation concept

looking at possible layout for a project based installation using the wii contoller to explore a digital artifact.

idea for a sphere project screen (projectors inside base of sphere) this arrament allowers the user to navaigate round the installation in a natural flow.

 different shape project screens.

 This is my favourite layout as the project screen mirrors the shape of the tree which might be the digital artefact. This shape and the shapes in the sketches before most likely will cause distortion to the projected image, should the projected image be adjusted so that it is displayed correctly on the projection screen or should the projection screen be made to accommodate the project image.

 Just a quick idea to stop users running off with the Wii controller while still giving them the freedom to naturally interact with the installation. A bar or hop is surpened from the ceiling, attached to this is a rope which attaches to the controller. Another sketch will need to made exploring the different ways to connect these part together while giving the most amount of free movement to the user.

A completely different concept

Due to the possablite that I might be able to use the Wii controller as an input device i started to explore the idea of climbing and exploring tree in a digital manner. the sketches above are basic concept sketches of the tree, another possiable idea is to texture the tree with text which creates an story abit like Jeffery Shaws Legible City. Here a Video showing the Wii controller at work from abertay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9ujnzMPBoc