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Realtime collaboration experiment
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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.
Realtime collaboration experiment // Roundtable
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 11, 2008, 11:59pm
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Hi all
Been mulling over the possibilities of pushing the technology of TS collaboration even further particularly with ref to TS realtime online learning.
So last night Aidanodr and myself did a load of testing to see what we could come up with to push things on a bit.
Some good news and some stuff to overcome, but we made pretty good progress overall for just 1 night experimenting... and had some great laughs as well!
One of the current limitations of TS online collaboration, as it stands, is that if someone is demonstrating the other participants, whilst they can see the outcome, can't see the "teacher's" actual tool selections or tool settings in the stack panel of the "teacher".
So the first thing we tried was hooking up with Voice.
I should mention we were working on a self imposed limit of keeping spending $$ to zero or very low at worst.
Hooked up with Skype...(free).. ( I'd never used it before, found it very simple to get up and running) Voice quality absolutely excellent! Very easy to get free account and very easy to get connected. Had 1 minor disconnection over the space of about 2 hours.
1 possible disadvantage could be that all connected parties (skype has conference call facility for up I think it's up to 11 users?) lines are permanently open just like a phone, so there is potential with a lot of users for vocal bedlam lol. Strict voice discipline would be an absolute requirement to work with larger no of people.
Oh there was pretty well zero lag, Aidanodr is in Ireland I am in England.
We hooked up in realtime to the shared space /scriptorium whilst also realtime talking on skype. Advantage. faster comms and less typing in the chatbox... just a much more immediate interaction.... Vast improvement and great fun too.
Unfortunately the scriptorium area although accessable by all of us, (Rich joined us in text only) was playing up and any object created dissappeared after about 2 seconds... which was a shame. I also had a gremlin where when I exited the area (using the exit object in the shared space) my screen would clear to a normal offline TS 3D window, but 5 seconds later the online scene would pop up..... even after resetarting TS!... Groan.... I did a fresh install of TS only yesterday morning.
Then we tried voice through MSN Messenger.. Voice quality was not as good as Skype but was perfectly acceptable.
The advantage of messenger was quite significant... we could send files to each other pretty well instantly... plus copy n paste website links very easily. This approach worked really well. We both had TS open locally. He would send a file of problem skeleton and I just dragged from the windows download screen straight into the TS 3D window... very fast very simple. Then by voice we describe where to look and by voice we mirrored the actions we were taking on our local TS... Worked pretty good, definitely a good collaboration learning aid... infinitely better than text and very fast too!
So now we try for THE BIG ONE....... realtime screen capture. IE so we each could see the others realtime TS screenview (whilst also in voice contact).
Downloaded a freebie screen/webcam capture prog called superwebcam. It has the advantage of being free.. and no webcam is actually required despite the apps name (I don't have one).
We did get superwebcam to work both in messenger and in skype, by assigning the output of superwebcam as the webcam input of either skype or messenger. It did work, BUT the screen resolution was just too low. Latency wise it was actually pretty good even using voice constantly ( all this and in shared TS space as well).
Then we tried Camstudio. ( I believe there is a free oldish version, but have yet to find anything other than 30 day trials for it?)
Same resolution problem and slightly more fiddly to set up. Again it did work but not to a usable resolution. Have since discovered some extra settings specifically for live screen output.... So we might try them as the next stage of experiment..
Another couple of not free but low cost realtime screen grabbers are Webcammax and ScreenCamera. I believe both have trial periods.. Not got a chance to look at them yet.
Another possible contender seemed to be Ustream Tv, a streaming online TV "host", the sample vids appeared to be fairly reasonable res. Needs investigated, also not sure of $$ if any for their service. Still needs a realtime screen capture app as well, as far as I could see.
SUMMARY
Voice is VERY fast, VERY immediate, and for sure I would prefer it over text for small group collaboration.... Totally free as well:D
MSN messenger best due to the ability to transfer files immediately, and just drag into 3D window. Voice quality whilst not as good as skype perfectly usable. Downside, not linked to a key for mic activation. Not a problem for small groups though. All free as well. All either app needs is a mic, either headphones (which I used) or possibly speakers rather than headphones (which Aidan used) Either worked well.
Realtime screen capture... If we can get a better resolution, the latency was surprisingly minimal as straightish from user to user and not through Caligari server in USA. Bearing in mind we had a voice app and TS running and at times shared space all running as well!
Need to delve deeper into Camstudio settings to see if it's a runner, moderately optimistic it may well be. Need to find a FREE version rather than 30 day trial.
All in all even with voice we both learned a lot and it was loads of fun, very enjoyable, and addictive! Unfortunately it was so fun it was the early hours when we finally disconnected, totally knackered this morning lol.
Any comments suggestions or lowcost/free software options and general input on the topic welcome. Keen to push this as far as practical.
IK |
Post by trueBlue // Aug 12, 2008, 12:16am
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trueBlue
Total Posts: 1761
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With Yahoo Messenger you can have MSN clients too. I'm using the beta for Vista and it works well.
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
CamStudio is free.
http://camstudio.org/ |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 12, 2008, 1:00am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Edit to previous post.
First off thanks for the link trueblue. :D
Your link has highlighted an inaccuracy and a fair bit of confusion that's now come to light in my previous post.
Where I referred to Camstudio in the first post, and indeed aidanodr and myself were talking and referring to "Camstudio" as we tweaked last night. Your post has highlighted that in fact we ( at least I was.. not sure about Aidan) were actually using and referring to Camtasia studio (in my case trial version) and NOT camstudio which IS freeware. So to clear it up Camstudio is free, and as far as I can tell Camtasia studio offers a free 30 day trial only.
Confusion started as somewhere else on these forums a link for camstudio is actually for Camtasia studio.. a different prog entirely..... Got me there !! lol
So now it's back to trying the FREE program to see if it's a runner!!
Trueblue ..do you happen to know off the top of your head if Yahoo messenger accepts webcam input from sources other than actual webcams?
Cheers
IK |
Post by frootee // Aug 12, 2008, 1:56am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Hi IK.
Glad to see you and Aidon experimenting with online collaboration!
Skype also allows you to transfer files. :)
Right click on your friend's icon, then select: Send File |
Post by aidanodr // Aug 12, 2008, 2:07am
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aidanodr
Total Posts: 90
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... Unfortunately it was so fun it was the early hours when we finally disconnected, totally knackered this morning lol.
IK
zzzzz ... zzzzzz .. ZZZZ ... snort, huh - Oh wow its noon :)
Yip - that was a long enjoyable session talking Truespace and all 3D in General.
We went between Skype and Msn more to test the videoquality of the screen capture in both and to test to see if it was the screen cap app OR the VOIP app that was giving us bad image quality.
Voice in TS Shared Space so it can be optimized .. their now yet another thing.
Got your PM IK, yip later round 8pm gmt. Quick try this time - more important things afoot - off to the pub at 10pm with the bro in law, a few pints of plane :)
If I get a chance during the day will see if other apps are possible
Aidan ... Yawn ... zzzzzz .... Z! |
Post by brotherx // Aug 12, 2008, 2:11am
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brotherx
Total Posts: 538
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With Yahoo Messenger you can have MSN clients too. I'm using the beta for Vista and it works well.
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
CamStudio is free.
http://camstudio.org/
You can also have yahoo users on live messenger as well. |
Post by frootee // Aug 12, 2008, 2:18am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Just checked the tpportal scriptorium. We still cannot add items. I contacted Norm to investigate.
When this happens please contact Norm and Cayenne.
thanks!
Froo |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 12, 2008, 2:31am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Got ya Frootee. wil report it next time. Still a noob at the collaboration end of things so not sure what is to be expected.
Found this freebie... Not quite realtime but not far off it if using most messengers and with a shared file open. Also autogenerates a link so easy to paste link straight into messenger. Saves a max 5 min per clip realtime capture with audio to a folder of your choice... Save Local or ftp, screencast or whatever. Guess with open folder shared that could be fast method. Annotation tools included + zoom etc.. First look at the tut vids, appears nice clean and simple usage. but not QUITE realtime close though.
http://jingproject.com/
PS No probs Aidan if you're on you're on.. getting between a guy and his drink is ....well it just ain't right lol 5th cup of coffee
here trying to feel ->:jumpy:
IK |
Post by TomG // Aug 12, 2008, 3:08am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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As a note, voice was built in to tS7.5, but didn't work too well. Since we hadn't had time to improve it, it was removed. However, we do realise that voice makes collaboration a lot easier :) And would be all the easier if there was no external application required.
On screen capture, that's tricky due to the fact that screens can be quite huge, frame captures can be quite slow in frame rate, and sending those across the net can be slower than the frame rate causing even more of an issue. This is why we make the videos offline, and have never tried to use a "send your screen" training approach.
We do have the thought of simply rebuilding the toolbars in 3D and placing them in the scene. Then you can see what tools the teacher is using, and indeed can use them yourself, and of course they will match up to the 2D icons and toolbars too so you can carry that knowledge across to the 2D interface.
The beauty of that is there would be no lag with it all being built in to the 3D scene.
HTH!
Tom |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 12, 2008, 5:04am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Sounds hopefull Tom, seeing the stack settings for tools would also be handy.
In the meantime my quest and research continues... looking at it from a slightly different angle as well now, to give a wider scope of possible realtime screen stream software contenders....and still trying to work on low budget options only :D
Have tried JING.... VERY simple to use and free, but not realtime, can't be tied to vid output of messenger type program, so not streamable. All the same it's a nice find and I would recommend checking it out. Clean, free and extremely easy to use.
Slightly more complicated but not by much is the Camstudio..... free as mentioned in prev posts..... again not streamable, but again a nice little find check it out.
But now I have found this baby..... and it's looking VERY promising..... again it's FREE. More along the lines of conference type approach, (without the security or setup nightmares that apps like PCAnywhere can be in the wrong hands) ........... but has the ability for a group to take turns to share their desktop view,as decided in real time by whoever is "hosting". The presenter (the current user who is showing their desktop) can be anyone within the group, and that ability can 1 at a time be given to any user. text chat, annotations etc. There is a voice version that integrates with skype so free voice too.
Minor downside is all users need to register(free) and dload the software(free) but it appears to be a pretty powerful piece of software.... running off java, slick interface too.
I need to find out the difference between the paid pro version and the free version.... the first 15 days is free pro automatically , so am trying to work out if I am about to lose the screen share option.... the critical bit, if it reverts to free.. hmm the integrated file share is a bit slow... only getting 45k/s on 2meg connection, but thats easy, just transfer through messenger or whatever.
check out this flash tut thats included on their site..... looks very promising!!!
https://www.yugma.com/support/tutorials/yugma_panel.html
IK
If anyone wants to have a play with the software in the link above.. pm me and we give it a shot
PS Aidan I reckon this is the one we need to check out tonite if you are on... so far appears to be a real corker!! |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 12, 2008, 5:49am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Following on from previous post.
Lifetime free version has the following omited compared with paid pro version.. none of the removed features are insurmountable, or critical, in my opinion.
Free edition omits
Shared file space settings NB...just transfer files within Skype or messenger:D
playing back of recorded sessions NB...no big deal :p
share mouse and keyboard... NB...good I don't want that risk lol ;)
change presenter NB... so host can stream his/her desktop but not the guests..
No problem ....Solution if they also want to share their desktop then dload free version. and paste auto generated link into text!! simple. Can only look at one other desktop at a time anyway! :p
annotation and whiteboard ... NB Shame but using voice and showing screen with realtime mouse movements makes this a bit redundant anyway :D
Other bits I found out
"Guests" DONT have to download and install the program. Only required if they want to show THEIR desktop in realtime. but they can still join session and see and hear "HOST/ Presenter" and presenters desktop IE "teacher" for the session.
All in all so far it seems a runner... slick program
IK |
Post by Délé // Aug 12, 2008, 6:34am
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Perhaps some scripting could yield some solutions too. Maybe there could be a projector screen in the space that the presenter could update with screenshots. It could work something like:
1. The presenter takes a screengrab of which tool they are selecting.
2. The presenter activates a script in the LE which takes that screengrab off of the clipboard and updates the projector screen texture with the image.
3. Everyone can view the tool the presenter is currently using on the projector screen.
I think that should be possible. I'll mess around a little bit and see if I can get it to work. ;) |
Post by Ambrose // Aug 12, 2008, 6:50am
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Ambrose
Total Posts: 261
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If one could get icons over in space then with a script just match what the teacher does, nothing should happen these tools would be useless just imitate what one is pressing.
With this just scripts and all icons but not much overhead otherwise? or not :D
SeYa/Ambrose... |
Post by Délé // Aug 12, 2008, 7:03am
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Hmmm...We might not be able to retrieve an image from the clipboard. I found a method to retrieve the images using VBscript, but it doesn't seem to work in tS. :(
Perhaps something along the lines of what Ambrose suggested would work though. We could certainly create an object that would change the texture to display an icon by the presenters choosing. It would be good to find a way to automate it a bit though.
Edit: Maybe have a presenter toolbar with all of the Workspace icons in it. The presenter could then pick the icon of the tool that they are currently using and it would update some reference in the 3d view. I think that would be possible. It would take a little extra work on the presenters side, but it could make things easier to follow. |
Post by noko // Aug 12, 2008, 7:14am
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noko
Total Posts: 684
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I wonder if a script can activate one's current toolbars from someone else. Then again that sounds kinda scarry too :). The toolbar opens up, highlights action being done and moves on. Maybe just mouse and mouse button clicks are captured and sent over to your machine which then duplicates what is being done in real time. Now how does one overcome different resolutions? Maybe same resolution and layout will have to be used. So no real geometry is sent over, just actual actions which your machine duplicates. Just some thoughts. |
Post by aidanodr // Aug 12, 2008, 9:00am
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aidanodr
Total Posts: 90
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[QUOTE=Igor K Handel;76701]http://www.yugma.com/[/URL] [QUOTE]
Hi IK and Lads,
Further to this app YUGMA - their is a version called YUGMA SE ( Skype Edition ):
https://www.yugma.com/share_skype.php
You download this Skype plugin, right click on the download and install ( assuming you already have Skype on your Machine ). Once installed open up Skype and the go to the TOOLS Menu and DO MORE. In this pop out menu you can see YUGMA SE, click on this and log in with your YUGMA Usernamer and Password. Now the YUGMA Panel opens up, click on the ACTION Menu. You have Skype Icon Options to invite people on your Skype Contacts list.
Cheers
Aidan |
Post by TylerZambori // Aug 12, 2008, 9:17am
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TylerZambori
Total Posts: 100
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This is really exciting, I have to go get this yugma plugin.
I suppose I could use this yugma/skype pipeline with any
3d software then, fab! |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 12, 2008, 10:41am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Says it all we got this working with fantastic resolution, realtime streaming voice the whole heap
WOOHOO
This is big breakthrough
I can see Aidans Ts screen like I was right there. I mean Crystal clear.!!!!!!!!!
Voice is realtime, marginal lag.
Screen clear as my own desktop, read the letters of every icon prompt he hovers over!!!
Only refresh issue is when he rotates around the TS there is a refresh of max 1/2 sec then the object totally clear again.
So we pushed it some more
We both in skype on voice constantly
we both start TS and go into scriptorium.
Aidan hosts a screen share... so now i accept screen share. So i get a firefox window with his view of the shared space we are still talking realtime here.
So now we both have local shared space ts running ... But if i chose i can look through his screen.... or my own lol
We time delays for icon clicks and the update before the other person could see it happen... split second... 321 click its there maybe milliseconds after he says click...
THIS REALLY WORKS>>> AWESOME!!!
AND ITS FREE... I am happy bunny:jumpy:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana:
IK
I need a smoke this is too exciting lol brb.... then we gotta play!! |
Post by frootee // Aug 12, 2008, 11:24am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Sounds really cool IK and aidon! Way to go! :) |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 12, 2008, 11:38am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Think this is MASSIVE. step forward.
Will get all the details together and start further tests as to how many users can hook up before bandwidth becomes an issue.
I can't believe after only 2 days solid research, we got this baby SO good and SO realtime!!
IK |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 13, 2008, 5:09am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Noko the ability to use the remote keyboard and mouse is already a feature in the paid prof version, but not the free version....For me this is good as I believe it's a potential security risk.
NB the free version has prof features activated for the first 15 days of the free account.
ok a bit more info..
There are two main roles in using the screen streaming.
First is the host.. Host has started the session, the host right mouse clicked on a button in his session which saves auto generated link for this session to his windows clipboard mem.
Host ctrl v pastes to any chat box.. email, etc to give clickable link to anyone coming along.
Second type of participant is presenter. initially this defaults to host. But any 1 participant can be the presenter ( they need the free screen app program) at any one time. Whoever has the presenter capability clicks start share, and all other participants see the presenters screen realtime streamed, icons and all mouse movement... the full works! When this participant finishes his/her screen share, this capability can be given to another of the group. who in turn share their desktop in full crystal clear.
There is a third type of participant. one that can passively watch whichever screen is being realtime streamed, but who has no ability to stream themselves, they don't even need the program ( its java based). they just click on the link they receive and after giving themselves a user name and typing in an email address(purely for promotion) they log in, no to and froing of opening emails and registering or any of that guff.. Its straight into the "meeting" session they go.... and remarkably fast I might add.
NB If we think of the presenter ability as a relay race and the realtime screen streaming ability as the baton. The current presenter always has the baton. The host (Team organiser) can pass this baton to another participant of his/her choice. The proposed new baton holder has the choice to run with it .... bad pun,,, or reject. At any time the presenter can click stop sharing.
Ok a twist in this scenario. All of the above capabilities and more, are part of the prof paid version.
The free version strips out some stuff.
The only bit that effects us is the following.... and I don't see it as a major problem
In the free version the session "host" does NOT have the ability to pass the baton... Only the host can realtime desktop stream..
1st of for a demonstration this is no problem, bearing in mind all participants are in voice and text also.
So how to pass the streaming ability to another participant ( and keep everything free).... easy
If they have also got the free program they just start a session and send out the links within the skype chat box... all the current participants are already working through skype so its open in the background anyway.
IK |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 13, 2008, 5:27am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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One for the script boffins to advise upon.
Q1 Can animated textures be shown in the shared space.
Q2 If answer is yes to 1..... Can the output source of a realtime streaming desktop, be hooked up as an vid input to act as an animated texture. realtime
If the above capability can be acheived the outcome would be THIS>>>
Everyone in shared space as normal.
The main host starts to build, script or whatever.... He is talking by voice in realtime. ALL the other particiants listen and watch.... They have TS and Skype running nothing else.
At this point due to answering yes we can do 1 and 2. the host turns to a simple plane object within the shared space. it hangs like a screen.. But on it for full view of all participants is the realtime streaming view of the presenters desktop. Crystal clear. every Icon , mouse move, every stack setting every edit.. All realtime!
The only software requirement for this scenario is SKype for all participant.. to enable the voice for them...and for the host and only the host.. the free version of the screen streaming prog.
So if the tech guys can do Q1 and Q2 ,,then we have simplified what we have already got still further
Can it be done? Ideas etc
NB this scenario is a further stream lining of what we can do as of 2 days ago. If it's not doable then we still have MAJOR usable sharing tool even as we stand.
IK |
Post by Délé // Aug 13, 2008, 6:49am
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Can animated textures be shown in the shared space.
Unfortunately, not really. The only way to have animated textures is with a series of stills. I know from experience that changing textures in shared spaces too fast can quickly bog down the scene and break scripts.
It isn't possible to have animated textures with movie files yet either. So unfortunately there is no way to implement your idea just yet. |
Post by TomG // Aug 13, 2008, 6:54am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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How does it handle screen resolutions btw? What if Im on 1680 x 1050 (which I am), and someone else is on 1240x768, how does my screen show on their smaller monitor?
How does it handle dual monitor configurations? Does it capture from one or both? Preferably just one as that would be a problem capturing on a dual and sending to a single.
Thanks!
Tom |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 13, 2008, 7:09am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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No problem, just exploring the more extreme edges of what might be possible.
Am planning to do another test run of realtime screen streaming tonite about 8pm GMT.
If you want to take a looksee at the quality we are talking about feel free to join the fun, whether for 10 minutes. or longer.... Warning it's addictive!!
As a general note.
To try this out (with voice option) download skype
Then click on the option highlighted in the picture below. This installs the free streaming application.
If you don't want voice or skype its still possible to view the realtime streaming of my desktop, by dropping me a PM. I then send you a link, click it and your browser will pop up. Give yourself a name(I strongly suggest the same name as in TS forum to avoid confusion) and fill in your email address. click join and thats it you see my desktop TS streaming in realtime in your browser window! (free) did I mention FREE!!!
Tom the current screen res of the sender is what is seen in everyone elses view( some jiggery pockery happens as obviously I cant see a higher rez than my screen is set to. but at my receiving end the icons on their screen change size as they change res. I guess there must be some number crunching going on but it did'nt present any problems, as we wondered about that too.... the output res of the transmitting person can be changed in realtime and this can be seen in all the "watchers" view... We tried various res both as sender and receiver, no problems all smooth.Only thing we didnt try was receiver on 800*600 and sender on very high res... will try that tonite! EDIT Same goes for dual screen not got that far. Can try tonite?
There is an option for the receivers to change the size of their view window. In addition the sender sees his control panel. But the "watchers" dont see it. its automatically not shown... so doesnt obsure the view.... smart eh. To the sender the transmittion area is completely invisible. no bounding box etc, nice clear normal looking screen apart from the control panel.
IK |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 13, 2008, 11:10am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Here is a realtime streamed screengrab, as seen from Aidans computer,
What you are seeing is MY TS, but streamed and grabbed from HIS PC view!
This is the realtime view Aidan has on his screen. This still pic has been shrunk to reduce filesize. the pic is actually filling his entire screen! He screengrabbed the view he was getting to make this still pic, to give you guys an idea of the resolution he is seeing my screen in!
(Note the message in the top left) :D
Obviously this is a still pic, but it was grabbed from his realtime video view of my desktop. In addition we were in voice contact(free) all the time.
IK |
Post by frootee // Aug 13, 2008, 11:16am
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Dude that is Wicked Cool!
yes, this will really make a difference with online collaboration and training. Great job guys!
Froo |
Post by noko // Aug 13, 2008, 11:34am
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noko
Total Posts: 684
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This looks really cool for training purposes! I am going to have to try this out as soon as I get a chance. |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 13, 2008, 11:17pm
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Yes I agree Noko the potential for realtime training looks exceptionally promising.
Even from the tests we have done so far, 1 on 1 training is already absolutely practical, and doable right now!
Would be great to get a few more TS users in on the testing now, as we need to find out how many users the system can support, with the bandwidth available. At the minute I am on 2 mg and Aidan is on 3 mg. (NB he is in Ireland I am in England)
Bit more testing info
Had another couple of hours streaming last night with Aidan. However unlike the prev night there appeared at times to be a little more view refresh delay. approx 2 seconds at times. BUT the lag only seems to in the main effect the view of complete screen rotations etc. It's still acceptable, but just not as super immediate as the prev night. We both suspect it was down to broadband demand in our respective areas, which I guess peaks around when we were testing last night. A bit disappointing, but maybe we had been spoit the prev couple of nights. Having said that it was entirely acceptable, and I believe would only curtail sessions of say shared speed modelling, where view rotations are fast and frequent... to demonstrate a particular technique or share a problem model/ skeleton etc is perfectly practical, even at that level of lag. A plus side to the system as we are using it, is even when there is lag, because we are on voice and it is well nigh immediate, we can easily communicate the lag and what we are doing. IE lag gets worse, Aidan says ok IK stop tweaking for 2 secs to let everything catch up. Worked ok.
Again the screen streaming tool was so useful and practical, that we ended up getting sidetracked, and sharing a problem skeleton in order to realtime analyse what the options and problems were. It worked and we got the skele sorted! We also started a collaborative realtime comparison of creating a walk cycle. We also looked at IK settings and options, both being able to read the info in the stack panel, try various options and jointly come up with a setup that suited the control we were looking for. Again this was feasible without any fuss.
Have been unable to test dual screen setup so far as neither of us has a dual screen setup. Anyone with dual screen care to join us and check it out... would be more than welcome.
For the next couple of nights Aidan is tied up with RW stuff so I'll continue whatever further tests I can in the meantime. If anyone wants to join the fun just PM me.
Continuing the option research end of things Aidan has unearthed an open source app which is designed for realtime desktop streaming, so am researchng that. The initial info is that it supports sessions of up to 20 users.
IK |
Post by Igor K Handel // Aug 14, 2008, 2:46am
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Igor K Handel
Total Posts: 411
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Have found an opensource app that will do more than the Yugma we have been testing and entirely for free
DimDim free has ability to host up to 20 users.
As well as voice and desktop streaming this app supports the following in its free version
1. whiteboard
2. annotations
3. saving of sessions for future view through any browser by anyone whether they attended the meeting or not
4. attendees need no software (entirely browser based IE, FF3, Safari)
5. attendees have NO registration needed just join from link
6. scheduled sessions
7. sharing of pdf and powerpoint docs
8. automatic bandwidth monitoring and scaling (host side and attendee side)
9. Dual monitor support
10. Autolink generation of current or scheduled sessions
11. Schedule saving of future sessions, complete with Session name, session pdf's / ppt's, duration of proposed session, autogenerated links
12.. An opensource free Server version that enables hosting on own site. potentially up to 100 attendees.
opensource integration with other apps (IE TS)
Could this be made into a widget?
link for standard free version
http://www.dimdim.com/products/what_is_dimdim.html
Link for server side opensource (Warning 1.5Gig download!!)
http://www.dimdim.com/opensource/dimdim_open_source_community_edition.html
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