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Buddy World
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 // Roundtable
Post by splinters // Aug 8, 2008, 2:44am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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It FF 3 where it didn't work. Haven't tried IE yet...:) |
Post by TheLion36 // Aug 8, 2008, 7:22am
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TheLion36
Total Posts: 36
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Not sure if this has been reported but in Harolds house, the television screen is off to the right next to the television set in both FireFox 2 and Internet Explorer 6 on a 1024x768 resolution. |
Post by splinters // Aug 8, 2008, 7:40am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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I hear from my tech 'guru' that he has solved the issue of graphics being offset in FF...I didn't know it was there in IE6 as well...I make these in Frontpage or Dreamweaver and previews always look fine...:o
I will update pages once they are sorted...:D |
Post by splinters // Aug 10, 2008, 3:42pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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For any of you out there who are new to tS, or simply think you will never get better results with it, just look at these two images. The top one is the original image in a book from several years ago. I always thought it was pretty nice but tonight I revamped the book. Nothing radical; no new models, just a much better understanding of light and composition (from lots of PRACTICE!) and a touch of dribble fur. I have to say I am quite embarassed that I ever sent the original image out.
Moral: there isn't one other than to illustrate the importance of practice and, in this case, a better understanding of lighting. Remember, the two scenes are almost identical apart from a re-render!! |
Post by skipper // Aug 10, 2008, 9:59pm
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skipper
Total Posts: 113
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Quite a difference, indeed. The stars and the smoke in the original do fit the cartoonish style more though. The lighting in the second one sets the right mood and shows off less detail on the fur coat wearing character. Sweet. :) |
Post by splinters // Aug 13, 2008, 1:44pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Cheers Skipper, the site really has come along even in the last few days and there are now 10 flash based games in there with a few more in the pipeline. Just simple diversions so that Kids can get a break between books...nothing that should concern their parents. No GTA style here....:D
I really need to port a few of these features over to the sample site as it no longer represents what a member would get.
Oh, and I added a Library so you can just go straight to the books. Again, though, just in the members side for now.
I have three weeks left before I go back to work so I am trying to get as much done as possible but is bordering on obsessive (10-12 hours a day) and I am officially obsessed with Flash.
Oh dear.....:o |
Post by splinters // Aug 16, 2008, 2:11am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Quite a few more books are getting the makeover treatment as stuff from 5 or 6 years ago (that looked good at the time) simply looks 'amateur' now. For that reason, less stuff is being uploaded for at least a few days.
Anyway, onwards and upwards. |
Post by Weevil // Aug 16, 2008, 3:07am
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Weevil
Total Posts: 534
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I've just had a look at the site.
Very well done... |
Post by splinters // Aug 16, 2008, 5:10am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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I wish the sample site reflected the members area Weevil. I made so much progress on it these last few weeks but have not had time to update the sample area.
It's about striking a balance between giving the members a good experience and actually offering enough to attract new members while not showing so much that they think...why bother subscribing...:o
Cheers for visiting the site though, I hope more tech-savvy parents take a look and see if it is something to supplement the reading of a real book.
It will never replace reading a real book or actually going out and playing with other children but there will always be situations where that may not be possible.
It might be a way to get kids reading who otherwise do not like it, or a way to read a book to a large group which is difficult with a single book. Special needs are lso another consideration. I have not started this on a whim...I was trialling these years ago and I am always amazed at how many older kids take an interest-a few even subscribed!!
Either way, I think there is a place for this type of site to supplement traditional methods for reading and activities and, in certain ways thanks to the technologt, exceed them...:D |
Post by v3rd3 // Aug 23, 2008, 2:38pm
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v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
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just a quik update... I have messed up my rotator cuff and am enjoying a painkiller induced vacation.
I am still working on the sound issue as I can and will post a sample script when I am more lucid. |
Post by splinters // Aug 24, 2008, 12:14am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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No problem Bill, I am getting along OK at the moment experimenting with Flash...:D |
Post by splinters // Sep 2, 2008, 1:46pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Regrettably, a new school term has put a damper on my progress but I did manage to get 14 (28 if you count the two version of each) books up and most of the site is complete with a range of activities.
I have a healthy amount of interest in the site and a few UK educational sites are going to link to it and feature in their newsletter.
I would really like to get some exposure in the US but googling for details reaps a huge amount of data.
Can any members recommend suitable institutions or sites to contact to give them information about the site?
It would be very much appreciated.
In the meantime, it's back to school and sneaking in a bit of tS during lunch breaks...:o |
Post by splinters // Sep 11, 2008, 1:52pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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I am still struggling to find time to update the books but I made major changes to the site itself and the sample section now better reflects the members area. I also reduced the subscription prices for the foreseeable future.
:D |
Post by splinters // Sep 16, 2008, 12:42pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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After a few weeks of sneaking in time to update this, I finally got the old 'Creepy Castle' project updated. On the advice of education specialists I am now changing all the 'unique' fonts into basic easy to read fonts to expand their educational potential. I also reduced the membership prices noticably and I am removing a few of the sign up options.
I will add this book to the sample area this evening....:D
For any of you still following this project, thank you...:) |
Post by Breech Block // Sep 16, 2008, 12:52pm
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Breech Block
Total Posts: 844
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Crikey,Splinters, cracking stuff. That Egyptian tomb scene looks good enough to win any SMC\MMC\Caligari competition hands down. Excellent stuff. |
Post by splinters // Sep 16, 2008, 1:25pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Cheers BB, I have new stuff to write and the site to complete but I keep getting sidetracked revamping older stuff. We never accept anything is finished eh? |
Post by Finis // Sep 16, 2008, 2:30pm
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Finis
Total Posts: 386
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Creepy Castle pictures look good. I liked the fonts you were using but the education specialists have a point.
The rotating cartoon house and city here might be interesting to you. Maybe a distant future update of Buddy World could use an interface like this.
http://forums1.caligari.com/truespace/showthread.php?t=6685 |
Post by splinters // Sep 29, 2008, 10:03pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Nice interface. Indeed, I hope one day to completely overhaul Buddy World using a Flash based interface.
Speaking of updates, I have done a lot of work on the site again this week (taking over life??) and updated many aspects including solving the Firefox issue where objects were not lined up properly and there was no sound. By today there should be sound on all the pages.
Even better, I added the pepemovie posters to the 'pepe at the movies' section. Unfortunately I could only put the 'kiddie friendly' ones there due to the content of the site. I will add something similar to the sample section tonight but members can get in there and have a nosey now. |
Post by MadMouse // Sep 29, 2008, 10:30pm
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MadMouse
Total Posts: 1069
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updated many aspects including solving the Firefox issue where objects were not lined up properly and there was no sound.
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz Ah sweet sleep :rolleyes::D
Great work Paul. Buddy World is looking fantastic. |
Post by splinters // Sep 30, 2008, 12:02am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz Ah sweet sleep :rolleyes::D
Great work Paul. Buddy World is looking fantastic.
I guess no-one here will get that joke Steve...they may just think you are saying it is boring...:p
It's OK, In know what you mean...:D
It is coming together. 2009 will see it all complete and waiting for new stuff. I am writing Deep Space Doris as we speak...:) |
Post by splinters // Oct 22, 2008, 7:58am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Well...best laid plans and all that...:o
I had planned to make something for the gallery this week, just to contribute, but I got sidetracked with this project. Aside from the 'seasonal' books I wrote this book is now the last one to be published on my site.
Something rather different, it has two different storylines crossing over as the Planet Hoppers land on Flowerpot Farm (makes more sense if you have visited Buddy World).
Anyways, the OCD bit of me has to see this project completed this week so I am reworking all the images in the book (22 of them).
These are the first couple. |
Post by Nez // Oct 22, 2008, 10:35pm
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Nez
Total Posts: 1102
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Looks like an interesting diversion! I had a UFO-type scene that I started on about 6 months ago and managed to get sidetracked from, you're making me want to go back to it....
Overall I like them so far, just one minor comment at the mo - in the top image, it seems that there are some slightly stange shadows associated with what I assume are a pond and stream - makes it look like those objects are above the ground? |
Post by splinters // Oct 22, 2008, 11:03pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Good spot nez but they are actually the 'banks' of the pond/stream. They are mud and therefore darker than the grass...:D |
Post by splinters // Oct 23, 2008, 4:10am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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And another image for the UFO orientated...aiming for at least two images rendered a day but struggling under the influence of alcohol...:rolleyes: |
Post by RAYMAN // Oct 23, 2008, 8:29am
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RAYMAN
Total Posts: 1496
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Very nice pictures Paul !
I think they are coming to get you !:D:D:D
Peter |
Post by splinters // Oct 30, 2008, 12:06am
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Well, as of yesterday I finally finished phase three of Buddy World (sounds so James Bond doesn't it moohaaamoohaaa!!).
Basically this means all the books are now updated and published in both static (big arrows to turn pages for young 'uns) and flipbook (actually turn the pages yourself) versions. Thanks to ibrent for the flipbooks and a few other 'cool' features.
All links are active and all locations/characters are there.
Call it officially launched now.
Phase four involves adding content for all of the new concepts (limbo, DSD and Bob n Blob). That will take some time but for now there are 20+ books to read and around the same amount of activities.
I added the Alien book to the sample pages and put a few images into this month's gallery too. Sample section will get a slight makeover soon as well.
I hope you can take the time to visit just to see the welath of tS material there and if you have young families, or know someone who has, maybe you could let them know about it. Subscription rates are still reduced so a good time to join before they go up. And just think; what an unusual and personal christmas present to get someone. |
Post by Breech Block // Oct 30, 2008, 1:31pm
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Breech Block
Total Posts: 844
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I just love the UFO shots, Splinters. Great stuff. |
Post by splinters // Oct 30, 2008, 2:12pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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Cheers Breech. What many 'new' forum users won't know is that this project has been around since the days of the old forums. Hell, in the archives there are references to Deep Space Doris and that is one of my more recent characters!
Buddy World has 21 books at the moment with an average of 24 pages per book as well as all the locations, activities, Pepe posters etc. etc. Considering there are two versions of each book I make that around 1000 pages of rendered images (yeah I know they are duplicated) and, with all the other extra content, well over 1200 images rendered with tS. And the Buddy World site was constructed from scratch since May of this year!!
Not bragging, just putting it all into perspective...been a long time in the works (almost a decade) and I worry sometimes that I am boring all the 'long term' forum members with updates. I keep posting for the benefit of new visitors...:D
I added a new game to the members area and a few more flipbooks (including the alien one) to the sample area.
I would be interested to know if visitors are getting enough from the sample area to decide if they want to join. Of course, there are no full books or games but that is the point...;) |
Post by splinters // Oct 31, 2008, 1:10pm
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splinters
Total Posts: 4148
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I just love taking old scenes and re-rendering with the latest engine. Top image is the original...:D |
Post by 3dfrog // Oct 31, 2008, 2:05pm
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3dfrog
Total Posts: 1225
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Looks awesome splinters! Is it vray? |
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