|
|
Buddy World is go?
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Buddy World is go? // Roundtable
Post by splinters // May 18, 2008, 12:52pm
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
That is a great idea. I may put a few characters onto that page; Planet Hoppers flying through space, doris near the spaceship (which needs updating-I pinched it from the library), Harold on his bike, pepe behind the gate. The list goes on.
Brilliant suggestion. I also changed the background colour on a few pages already...is black really that bad? I kinda like the yellow and red on black. Still, I think I will make 'watermark' logos for each range and pick a suitable background colour for each area. I will still leave a few black though, such as Creeoy Castle and the main map etc.
Cheers guys, best place I can think of to get fresh ideas; right here.:jumpy: |
Post by v3rd3 // May 18, 2008, 3:56pm
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
Black is not bad. I think I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that black does help highlight graphics.
Colour choice for your background depends on the mood you want to establish as well as how your background compliments your material.
Black backgrounds are often used in sites for photographers, painters, etc. as it is usually the best complement for their works. The point of texturing the pure black, or any web background, is to break up the colour to reduce eye fatigue and in so doing focus the eye on the content.
Black as a colour tends to communicate negative connotations, i.e. death, horror, etc so that choice of background colour for a web site selling children's books should be carefully considered.
Amazon, Indigo and other large retail distributors avoid black backgrounds. Generally speaking, corporate or sales web sites tend to use bright backgrounds. Dark coloured backgrounds are more often used in arts/photography or "darK themed" sites, e.g. gaming clans, mature games etc.
Given the outer space theme you are using dark colouring is pretty much inevitable. That said, the background texture for your main page might be better as an extremely dark blue. Dark enough to convey a space theme yet not really pure black.
Brain tired = dump completed or consciousness depleted. More later....
PS I love the focus treatment for the hole in the fence. |
Post by splinters // May 19, 2008, 8:03am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Cheers guys, I really need to get out of the 'portfolio' mentality behind the black backgrounds.
While I don't normally like tiled backgrounds I have added a subtle one to the first few pages and if you take the 'sneak peek' there is a starfield tile behind the main map. Little cloud is just blue for now but I will put a similar watermark in each range using that particular book or character logo.
Is this more eye catching and kid friendly? I am trying to strike a compromise between plain/dark and twee...:D
Cheers for all your input and I promise to make that intropage much better before it goes live...:D |
Post by v3rd3 // May 19, 2008, 8:39am
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
Using the gray as a frame for the intro page looks good.
I would suggest you have a look at using a smaller tile. The result might be that the user would see "Buddy World" if they look at it closely, but otherwise it would appear as a textured background. Just a thought to experiment with really.
The starfield on the main map page looks good as well. I would suggest you consider taking the tile sample from the bottom right corner of the map. The starfield colour will then be consistent with the colouring of the map.
Looking good Splinters, glad I can say I knew you when..... |
Post by splinters // May 19, 2008, 10:03am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Ok guys, we roll on.
Could you look at this page and let me know if it works (arrows go nowhere for now)?
http://www.buddyworldbooks.com/sample/cloud/page7.html
I have a problem with the page though, because I want the drop shadow I am using a .png format and each page is nearly 800k which is bigger than I want. I can't optimize a .png-24 as far as I can tell, so what are the options?
Or should I just drop the shadows (excuse pun!) and make it a good 'ol JPEG?
EDIT: I added a second page and the sound of a page turning but the sound effect happens too late and ruins the effect.... |
Post by jamesmc // May 19, 2008, 10:17am
|
jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
|
I'd just use jpeg and save on bandwidth.
Can always make a pattern background for the image the same as your page background. |
Post by v3rd3 // May 19, 2008, 11:44am
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
Just a quick question, but what resolution are you using for the images. If you are creating your work at more than 72 dpi you will not realize a significant gain in image quality but will certainly chew up the bandwidth.
The image properties for the file arrows_01-ImageMap_02_over.png show it at 1024x150. If you reduce dpi you can scale the image down and keep the shadows.
Also, you may want to consider separating the arrows into separate files (e.g. left_arrow, left_arrow_big...) to reduce the data transfer by the number of transparent bytes between... |
Post by splinters // May 19, 2008, 12:06pm
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Good point, although the arrows are in a separate image to the book pages and are pretty small.
I updated the intropage (with the gate) and I think it looks a lot better. I will finish it off later...:D |
Post by v3rd3 // May 19, 2008, 1:49pm
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
Pepe looks good there.....
As a thought, to give Pepe a depth cue would you consider putting some fencing behind him. You could show the top of the fence behind Pepe, or the shadow of the fence on the other side of the yard. |
Post by MadMouse // May 19, 2008, 9:54pm
|
MadMouse
Total Posts: 1069
|
All looks good Paul. I like the new POV for the gate page. Pepe works great behing the gate and the eye in the fence is fab. A nice touch would be if you could animate the eye so that it blinks and looks about a bit.
HTH
Steve |
Post by splinters // May 19, 2008, 9:54pm
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
I am seriously considering ditching the '2.5D' book idea for now and having it as a mark II/coming soon sort of feature. I need to balance this looking snazzy and clever against actually getting up and running at all. There will be about 500+ pages to convert and that does not include the fun/exploration/activity stuff. I have flat images ready to go and can put the site together in a few weeks/months that way...otherwise.....:(
I think if I carry on like this I will not be able to write any new stuff for quite a long time... |
Post by v3rd3 // May 19, 2008, 10:00pm
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
500 pages is a lot of work .... would you mind telling me how you are doing the 2.5d effect? Is this specific s/w that is doing this for you... a photoshop filter....????
Let me know and I will research a process to automate the conversion. |
Post by splinters // May 20, 2008, 4:09am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
They are rendered like that Bill. The book is a 3D model in tS with a plane UV mapped to each page; I simply paint over the new page but that is some 20+ images per book and there are 25 books. I then have to crop the background in PS, add a drop shadow and save as a PNG (which can be automated but is the easiest bit!).
I tried turning the DPi down too and the file size actually got bigger.
I think the answer is to render the book against the right colour background, export as an optimized JPEG then assign the same background colour to the page. That way it looks like it floats but will be around 150k rather than 800k...
Still a pain converting them all. Maybe I will do a flat 2D version then change one by one...;) |
Post by v3rd3 // May 20, 2008, 8:56am
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
Ok then... just wish I could be more help.
Take care and plug away. |
Post by splinters // May 20, 2008, 10:35am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Ok then... just wish I could be more help.
Take care and plug away.
You are more help then you could know Bill...:D
If it sounds like I do not appreciate all your advice then I apologise, I just don't like putting on people to help...very stubborn like that, must be an english (yorkshireman) trait. I really do listen and appreciate your input; that is why I ask...:p
I am just looking at ways to get it up and running then I can slowly update it.
If i stand back and look at the big picture I am likely to dump the whole thing due to the amount of work involved...and the lack of time I currently have...:o |
Post by v3rd3 // May 20, 2008, 10:58am
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
No apology is necessary. It's not that at all. I just wish there was more I could do to help you get the site up and running.
When you start feeling down remember the motivation that got you started. |
Post by splinters // May 20, 2008, 11:01am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Well, if you ever find yourself stranded in Yorkshire I will give you my hard drive and a sketchbook full of ideas and lock you in a dark room until my dream website is finished...;)
Failing that what do you charge per hour...:p |
Post by v3rd3 // May 20, 2008, 11:21am
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
It would depend on what you need. If there are things I can do to help that are ad hoc requests that take little time I wouldn't charge you anything. If I am taking on something that requires I push my learning curve, I would not charge any time for the time it takes me to learn.
If my time commitment becomes significant (my wife tells me when I spend too much time on anything) I would charge you $40.00/hr CDN plus any significant pre-approved expenses.
To give you some background, I spent 25 years in the Canadian financial industry, the last 15 years was in the technology side. Over that span of time I was a programmer, programmer/analyst, manager systems development, year 2000 project manager, manager business analysts, business continuity manager, special projects manager. I coded database applications in COBOL and SQL on iSeries,AS/400 and mainframes, PC applications in VB and just about any 4thGL you can imagine.
I managed developers and analysts working in Sun, IBM, HP etc server environments and implemented applications such as real-time trading, corporate intranet, corporate web site, firm accounting systems, foreign exchange trading and back office systems.
I left the financial industry owing to ill health, I managed development and analytical teams in two cities and the commuting was a drain on my system. I now focus on web design and graphics as I enjoy the work and it is something I can do working from home.
I am interested in your project because I like what I have seen of your books and would simply be glad to help you succeed. |
Post by prodigy // May 20, 2008, 12:18pm
|
prodigy
Total Posts: 3029
|
Hey Paul, don't you think to Fake your 2.5 book?
You can get a nice result...
I suggest take a shot form your 2.5 book without texture.. just plain white..So you will get something like a bumpmap.. and in post process add it over your images.. i guess that may improve your workflow..
Take care
12434 |
Post by splinters // May 20, 2008, 12:38pm
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Cheers Prodigy, but that is how the 2D books are done already...I really like the 2.5D version and I may do it as a Jpeg (including background).
The way you suggest is quicker of course...:D
For that reason I will publish like this then change them later. |
Post by splinters // May 21, 2008, 12:13am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Problem solved...:D
People are paying for this service so they deserve something special. I have rendered each image in 3D against a plain background to match the web page. It looks good but I cannot upload from work...no idea why.
So it will be live around 5-6pm tonight and you can view the little cloud book via the link posted earlier. As it is the full book I will not be leaving it up for very long and will move it to the member side leaving only a sample.
If this works then I will do each book the same way so I really value your feedback here.
Cheers...:D |
Post by splinters // May 21, 2008, 1:45am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Here is what the final product looks like. |
Post by Jack Edwards // May 21, 2008, 2:43am
|
Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
|
Looks good Paul, but you need to turn down the JPG compression some. |
Post by splinters // May 21, 2008, 3:57am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Not sure that is me Jack. I posted these images too large on the forum so I think they have been compressed and shrunk. The ones on line look fine...:D |
Post by Jack Edwards // May 21, 2008, 4:02am
|
Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
|
Ah you're probably right. I've noticed that too, if the image file size is over the forum limit, it'll change it to JPG or if it's already JPG recompress it at the higher level. |
Post by v3rd3 // May 21, 2008, 5:30am
|
v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
|
I like what I see. The book looks great and the colouring of the background compliments the images nicely.
Great stuff Paul.
PS. As a marketing suggestion, you might consider putting one book in its own distinct secure area with a password you intend on passing around. You might then set this up as a freebie for public schools in the UK. Let your colleagues know the password and pass it around to their students in class. It could generate a lot of interest. |
Post by splinters // May 21, 2008, 5:33am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
Uploading the files right now. I just spotted some of the pages are old and have some grammatical errors but I shall change them one by one tonight. The first page you reach should be a menu page but, well, you get the idea. |
Post by hemulin // May 21, 2008, 6:54am
|
hemulin
Total Posts: 1058
|
I have just noticed a little hiccup in the source code. On page1.html you have an extra break which means all of the images are one line lower than the rest of the pages. You need to delete " " from the source code. Or just download the attached page.
Really nice work on this. I will be free(ish) to help with this if you want, from the middle of June. |
Post by Jack Edwards // May 21, 2008, 7:05am
|
Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
|
Hmm... I think you need animated start pages for each of the books. Crazy kid stuff like all the characters from the story waving and pointing at the book sitting on a desk or something like that. |
Post by splinters // May 21, 2008, 7:50am
|
splinters
Total Posts: 4148
|
You are right Jack; I just need to get it up and running first...:o
If you look at the new Little Cloud main page, I have the boy floating in the sky and a balloon. I want the boy to 'float around' so I would like a moving .png file over the plain background. I could do the same with the baloon and maybe the boat. I can't see any way of using layers like this nor how to animate something moving in html.
I will pick your brains Hemulin...:D |
|
