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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 Délé // Apr 21, 2008, 3:50am
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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I'm excited to see what you come up with Paul. :D
Also remember that if you get stuck with any programming stuff (java, flash, php, etc), there is a growing group of us scriptors here that are always willing to help. You could even swing by the scriptors meetings if need be. ;)
Although you'll have to be careful. We might assimilate you into the collective. :p |
Post by splinters // Apr 21, 2008, 5:42am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Another update on the globe...without the book logos. I am going to work on the land mass later. The tube is from 'Limbo'...long story which I will write soon...:D |
Post by W!ZARD // Apr 21, 2008, 7:08pm
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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I am even considering doing this in realtime as a VE experience; maybe using truePlay too.
Did I mention I was excited?.......:jumpy:
At last you are beginning to see the full power of the dark side! (Corny I know but while my PC was down for repairs and upgrades I watched all 6 StarWars movies all over again! I can't get that theme tune out of my head!:o)
Wow Paul - it is so cool to see you so excited about this online BuddyWorld. As you'll remember I've always advocated for you self-publishing and doing it online seems like the ideal solution particularly as your artwork simply 'pops' so much better on screen than on paper.
I wish you every success and the best of luck with this venture - and don't forget to let me know if you need help spending that 20 million quid!!;):) |
Post by splinters // Apr 21, 2008, 11:12pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Ok guys, Buddyworld is most definitely go now...:D
I registered the site:
http://www.buddyworld.co.uk
And redirected it to the book section of my personal site until I get the new stuff converted over.
Go and have a look to get a very brief taste of what will be there later. A lot of work to do now but it should be fun and I can update the CD at the same time....:D |
Post by W!ZARD // Apr 22, 2008, 6:40pm
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Ok guys, Buddyworld is most definitely go now...:D
I registered the site:
http://www.buddyworld.co.uk
And redirected it to the book section of my personal site until I get the new stuff converted over.
Go and have a look to get a very brief taste of what will be there later. A lot of work to do now but it should be fun and I can update the CD at the same time....:D
A very impressive start Paul - your talents are inspirational. You deserve the best success possible with this project. |
Post by splinters // Apr 23, 2008, 1:10am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Cheers guys. While I dont intend to actually put everything on the globe you can see the sort of details I will be adding. Once I get it mapped out properly I will start adding roads as well but not too much detail...just fun. The sea need sorting too. |
Post by MadMouse // Apr 23, 2008, 1:15am
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MadMouse
Total Posts: 1069
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Looking good Paul.
Hard to say without knowing your exact plans for this, but my first impression is that maybe the names look a little small and lost against the world.
Just a thought
Steve |
Post by splinters // Apr 23, 2008, 2:04am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Aha, madmouse...not sure myself yet, I just threw this one together in Photoshop. I do want the book range (barn Buddies etc.) to enlarge as you move the mouse over them but I may also just have this globe on the greet page and you zoom in before choosing an area.
Either way, I am making the map detailed enough to zoom in...no point making two...:D |
Post by splinters // Apr 23, 2008, 4:17am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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I would like to ask you guys for advice if I may. Please approach your answer as an interested parent, guardian, teacher etc.
How best to make this a profitable business really. I have a few options really:
1. Charge a flat fee for access to the site. I can set up a sample version of the site that is time limited or feature restricted but there is a danger that users may be wary of paying for the whole thing without seeing it first. I kinda thought of £19.95 for full access (not sure if I should charge less but make it yearly).
2. I could allow free access to the various areas and charge a small amount to download or view each book although this might be harder to manage in terms of passwords, codes etc.
Other than that I am stumped. If I can convert the CD in good time you would have access to each area on the map I posted earlier. Each of these areas allows ou to visit the characters homes, learn more about them etc. There will then be at least one book to read. Most have two and Barn Buddies has 13!
There is a quiz and activity sheets to download but the main work is in the books. Of course I am developing content for each area as well as new book titles so it will grow. I just want to get it up and running for content really.
So, sell it per acre so to speak...or the whole plot of land...which could be quite good for users (getting free content and books as it grows) but could dent my own profits.
What would get you digging into your wallets (hypothetically, if you had children)? Hell, maybe you would want to visit yourselves but it is quite 'childish'....:D |
Post by jamesmc // Apr 23, 2008, 4:30am
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jamesmc
Total Posts: 2566
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You can charge a Website viewing fee if you wish. The fee for online service and fee varies a great deal. For training CD's it's usually 4x to 6X the charge for a monthly viewing fee. Content CD's are usually somewhat less expensive and are an added incentive for the viewer to do both CD and Website subscription.
On the CD, you can make extra content available.
Printable "coloring" pages
Animations
Screen savers
How "it" was made explanations
Buddy world Label print out for standard size labels :D
Bonus stories
Alternative endings
Future Characters
etc. |
Post by Délé // Apr 23, 2008, 7:00am
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Well, I suck at business stuff (which is why I am always poor) so take what I say with a grain of salt. I think a yearly subscription is a good idea. I really think you need free stuff to draw people in first though (be it flash games, a few books, or both). Just something that gives them a taste of what Buddy World is about and gets the kids hooked. :)
Yeah, parents will pay the subscription but I am sure you know the best way to get into a parents wallet is through the kids. "Please mommy, please, please, please!". I think you have to have eye candy. Things moving around and things that kids can interact with immediately. They have to immediately be drawn into the site.
Then when you get them into the stories and characters, have a section that parents can go to read about and order subscriptions to the "really good stuff". I think a yearly subscription would work good. It's hard to say how much to charge. If you don't have much to offer yet, you might want to start relatively low. Maybe $10 to $20 a year. It really depends on how much you have and how much kids can/will get into it. You might even want to have a beta site for a while where you let a select few in for free to get feedback.
I said this before, but don't forget that on the web you are in a world economy. I suggest having prices listed in multiple currencies. You might end up having a bigger market here in the U.S. than you first anticipate. So make it friendly to at least many of the English speaking countries that may be interested in your books.
Again I really think that getting the kids psyched about the site right away is the key. I think flashy stuff and games would be the best route. Maybe one idea for a flash game would be a Pepe memory game. Like with those memory cards that you flip over. They could have pictures of Pepe in different costumes and you have to match them up. Educational and fun. With the vast amount of stories and characters you have, the possibilities for interactive stuff is huge. So don't get stuck in only using what you have. There is a LOT that you can do.
With regards to restricting access to certain areas, it's not too hard from what I've been able to figure so far. It takes a little PHP/database work, but once you have it set up, it's pretty much self automated. I'm working on a little login thing for a buddy of mine that is going to offer his album on the web. What I'm doing doesn't involve the exchange of money, but it should be similar I would think. It could take a little bit to figure out how to set something like that up, but it shouldn't be too terribly difficult.
I would maybe even go look at some other kids sites and see how they have structured things. Might give you some ideas. Anything one man can do, so can another. ;) |
Post by splinters // Apr 25, 2008, 2:10pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Thanks for the advice guys. I am just finishing up the main map but having real trouble rendering this out without bits going missing (like the trees on the top) so I have had to composite a LW layer-hence the castle shadow is wrong direction. I will persevere however and get it finished. Never had trouble with Dribble before. Takes absolutely ages to render yet mere seconds in LW.
Let me know what you think, I still want the logos to enlarge as you move over them and the map elements need laying out properly. |
Post by spacekdet // Apr 25, 2008, 2:22pm
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spacekdet
Total Posts: 1360
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'Nowhere' looks suspiciously like Spain.
While I've never been to Spain, I quite prefer to be in the middle of nowhere.
Have you considered lining up the 'O' on the word 'Limbo' with the end of the wormhole, sort of how you did the 'Harold's House' typeface? |
Post by splinters // Apr 25, 2008, 2:36pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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The O is the end of the wormhole in the actual logo but I wanted this tube like thing 'hoovering' up over the planet so it didn't fall into place so well.
Still, always happy to try suggestions out....:D |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 25, 2008, 2:46pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Looking good Splinters! This would make a great Edutainment CD title. As a software children's "game" I think you'd be able to get this distributed no probs. Once you got the game in store shelves, book sales would definitely follow. Might be worth teaming up with a silverlight programmer to integrate various activities into the different theme'd sections in adition to the book stories. |
Post by prodigy // Apr 25, 2008, 3:01pm
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prodigy
Total Posts: 3029
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Nice Paul!! i love the wormhole! it reminds me something from Tim Burton maybe Nightmare before christmass :p
I think you could add a light behind the earth, in some parts from the earth and the space it blend on black. (you understand what i mean?)
Looking good, i like the lighting, overall an excelent work as usual! :) |
Post by splinters // Apr 26, 2008, 12:58am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Done....for now!
I have left a few spaces for additional ranges later but this will do for now. Pretty sure no one is going to take a microscope to this in a web browser anyway. Overall I am happy with it and it is much improved over the old version I was using.
A few secret locations still remain...what is that rocket for?
Now to build the site.
EDIT: NOW I get a request from a client for last minute changes...:o
Still, her site looks to be very impressive (I will tell you all about it once I can) AND she wants to distribute the Buddyworld books and/or link to my site...:banana:
P.S Prodigy, that is my favourite movie of all time and I never even realised until you mentioned it...the subconscious eh? |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 26, 2008, 1:44am
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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This one looks brighter and more inviting. Great work! :banana: |
Post by splinters // Apr 26, 2008, 1:59am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Cheers Jack, the buddyworld.co.uk link is now active. It links to this image (or will in an hour or so) and lets you view samples of the books. I am simply piggy-backing on my existing webspace until I get the site up and running.
I am also making a 'workspace' version and investigating VE/tP possibilities...:D
Can I ask for some help:
1. How do I access the quality settings for workspace? I need to have shadows, higher res textures etc.
2. Does anyone know how to get a graphic enlarged in a web page (grows as mouse passes over it)? OR can you make a graphic invisible until you pass over it? That way I simply place a larger version over the smaller one and make it invisible....a drop shadow would help too...:o
My web skills are a bit rusty, and I don't/can't code...;) |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 26, 2008, 2:22am
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Ack. You caught me getting ready to get some sleep, so I'll have to just point you in the right direction.
For some odd reason texture resolution for Workspace is set in the TS6Files->Display Options panel in model side.
For a D3D shadow casting "infinite" type light, use the "directional" light type and size it to light your whole scene. You'll need to go LE diving to set the shadow map parameters. Same for your spot lights and other lights.
Hopefully that'll be enough to get you started. :) |
Post by W!ZARD // Apr 26, 2008, 4:12am
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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1. How do I access the quality settings for workspace? I need to have shadows, higher res textures etc.
;)
Left Click in the real-time window you want to render from to select it. In the Stack View select the settings tab to show the settings for yur selected window - at the top of the stack is your AA settings - I always bump that up to the maximum for final renders from WorkSpace. How much AA you can apply will depend on your GPU - my last graphics card supplied 3 layers of AA, my new card supplies 8 layers of AA.
Next, mosey on down the stack and activate both Bloom and Supersampling - play with the sliders till you get a result that is pleasing to your eye and then make your Render To File. It will render so fast that I often render out at 2x the final resolution I'm after then downsample in a paint prog for additional Anti Aliasing.
If your graphics card can handle it you can use these settings for FPN around your scene for that really sharp immersive experience.
Re getting the good stuff with the shadows - hard to recommend a specific formula because so much depends on scene scale, the type of lighting and the abilities of your GPU. I go by the tweak, tweak and tweak again approach and the manual describes a good sequence in which to do your tweaking.
Hope that helps |
Post by butterpaw // Apr 26, 2008, 4:17am
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butterpaw
Total Posts: 831
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Please make sure to include Paypal as a payment vehicle (safe and easy for so many customers) and I'm on! .. hey.. I'm a Grandma!!! ^_^
:jumpy:
I am soooo glad you are doing this!! I wish you great success!! ^_^ |
Post by spacekdet // Apr 26, 2008, 5:48am
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spacekdet
Total Posts: 1360
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2. Does anyone know how to get a graphic enlarged in a web page (grows as mouse passes over it)? OR can you make a graphic invisible until you pass over it? That way I simply place a larger version over the smaller one and make it invisible....a drop shadow would help too...:o
My web skills are a bit rusty, and I don't/can't code...;)
Check here (http://www.idocs.com/tags/images/images_famsupp_59.html) for a simple javascript method of handling image rollovers.
(lots of other html code pointers there also.) |
Post by splinters // Apr 26, 2008, 8:31am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Thanks for the help guys. I finally got the thing linked correctly so that
http://www.buddyworld.co.uk
now has the relevant links to the various book ranges. Obviously there are no full books or locations to explore for now as that would make a subscription pointless but there is a taster there for anyone interested.
Hope you enjoy it...:D Much more to come later. |
Post by Jack Edwards // Apr 26, 2008, 10:57am
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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I think Silverlight (or Flash) with sound effects and video animation and interactive activities is the way to go. ;) |
Post by splinters // Apr 26, 2008, 1:25pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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You may well be right Jack. For now, I will just be happy to get the basic content up and running...:o |
Post by hultek43 // Apr 26, 2008, 3:48pm
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hultek43
Total Posts: 234
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One quick suggestion off the top of my head. At the top right you have exit in red text, make that a link also. I hope your venture is a successful one :) |
Post by v3rd3 // Apr 27, 2008, 4:55pm
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v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
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2. Does anyone know how to get a graphic enlarged in a web page (grows as mouse passes over it)? OR can you make a graphic invisible until you pass over it? That way I simply place a larger version over the smaller one and make it invisible....a drop shadow would help too...:o
My web skills are a bit rusty, and I don't/can't code...;)
You can do both actually. In addition to javascript, as mentioned above, there are techniques you can apply using CSS (cascading style sheets). It really boils down to your personal preference for which tool you prefer to use.
Both choices have their consequences as to how much work they can be and the learning curve.
If you would like specific assistance with coding your site let me know and I will help you as I can. I do not use frontpage so I cannot help with that tool. I write html,css and javascript with a text editor. I am not a know-it-all nor do I play one on TV. What I don't know I will figure out.
Just one thought on the current pages. I would suggest that you replace your black background with one of the darker blues from the stellar portion of your spacescape. Pure black often has ominous overtones and I would use it for a gaming clan web site or a site where I am trying to project terror or mystery.
Regardless, any help I can offer let me know. |
Post by Nez // Apr 27, 2008, 10:48pm
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Nez
Total Posts: 1102
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Without having had a chance to look at the link spacekdet posted, I've done similar 'trickery' in the past with Fireworks, although I imagine many other packages can achieve the rollover effect (think newer version of Photoshop may do this?)
The principal for an image like this would be for it to be divided into 'slices', some of which will correspond to your active links, where the logos are located. For each of these slices, you'd need a replacement image, showing the enlarged 'pop-out' logo for the mouse-over state (so you should define the slice bigger than the orginal logo).
Main difficulty I could see is that because some of the logos are quite close together, you might have to position the slices quite carefully (and maybe make sure they only enlarge a little bit) so that you don't have problems with them overlapping - but I reckon it could be done.
Hope that makes sense - it's not actually that difficult in practice. Of course, it could probably be done other ways too (Flash etc) - for example, if you weren't too worried about the logos getting bigger/highlighted, a simple approach would be to just use an image map - very low-tech, but really easy to code... |
Post by splinters // Apr 28, 2008, 12:35am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Guys, I am still trying to locate/rejuvenate all the images but these suggestions are great. Fear not, I will be taking you up on all of these offers just to get it up and running. It is live now of course but only to view samples. |
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