[Robotgroup] Tiny Robot Wanted!

john at cozmicfunk.com john at cozmicfunk.com
Tue Feb 5 14:00:15 PST 2008 

OK, now I am getting really excited, especially that Andre has taken the 
bait. I want to actually plan an event and put it on the calendar.

I could even offer anyone interested in coming over to see my pops. I 
can't bring them all out, except maybe SXSW coming up. I am waiting to 
see what the Prez thinks about the workshop idea :)
JPF

Andre Lamothe wrote:
> In my book "tricks of the game programming gurus - 1994", I showed how to 
> build a little stop frame animation studio then how to photo the miniature, 
> extract the bitmaps, then all the math to project the 2D sprites into a 3D 
> scene. I found the original book source, and unedited chapter, but I can't 
> find the "loose" figures damn it! Anyway, I just tried the program and 14 
> years later still works perfectly, now, that's defensive programming :) 
> Anyway, I will bundle the material and create a link, so people can try it 
> on their machine. Its a very simple demo, but a 3D space ship (very low rez, 
> it as 1994) moves in a 3D starfield. As you control it with the numeric pad, 
> right and left, it turns in 3D space, scales, etc. But, its not 3D, its just 
> a 2D image with 8-16 different views and the math selects the view and the 
> virtual camera position selects the scale for the 2D sprite. This is how 
> DOOM and many 2.5D games worked in the 1990s, wing commander is another 
> example. The toy was from the store and looked really cool. About 2" in 
> length.
>
> Let me see if I can find the figures, now I am on a mission. If I have to, I 
> can scan them from the book, but that's a pain.
>
> Andre'
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <john at cozmicfunk.com>
> To: "The Robot Group Mailing List" <robotgroup at puremagic.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:23 PM
> Subject: Re: [Robotgroup] Tiny Robot Wanted!
>
>
> All right I am perfectly game for this!
> Now who else wants to step up to the plate? Bring our your models, toys,
> styrene, LEDs and Super glue. Hey Marvin, do you want to help and lets
> get Andre involved too, he built some amazing stop motion models years
> ago for a game. And Eric has built a creature for a film. How about you
> Vern, is there anything you don't know about? I would not be at all
> surprised if you have done some resin casting at some point. lol :)
>
> JPF
> Denise Scioli wrote:
>   
>> And, we can have the class at The Heritage.  Saturday's are terrific, am 
>> or in the afternoon.  Just let me know ahead of time.  I love this idea 
>> John.
>>
>> Denise
>>
>> PS.  I have also wanted to do a concentrated class in Pepakura with Gray, 
>> as it confounds me.
>>
>> ----------------------------------------
>>
>>     
>>> Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2008 14:21:15 -0600
>>> From: john at cozmicfunk.com
>>> To: robotgroup at puremagic.com
>>> CC: bonafont at sbcglobal.net
>>> Subject: Re: [Robotgroup] Tiny Robot Wanted!
>>>
>>> Hey Grey,
>>> I wanted to thank you for your public insight regarding this. Every once
>>> and a while, a topic emerges with direct relevance to my work.
>>> I have been a fan of this movie forever. A week ago Andre also replied
>>> and then replied to me personally about this. The robots in this film
>>> are amazing, I wanted to make a replica of them for years. I even have
>>> the Japanese model kits of them but they are so tiny, you can't even do
>>> much with lights or motors etc.
>>>
>>> These little ships are the best visual fusion of UFO's and Robots. I
>>> wonder why they never made any toys of them?
>>> Also, I did email Javier about his prop and never received any word
>>> back. People are busy and these kinds of projects take a lot of time and
>>> inventive strategy. I feel very fortunate to be associated with a group
>>> of such giving and insight, especially Grey Mack who always so much to
>>> contribute in his knowledge and understanding of problem solving 
>>> solutions!
>>>
>>> I propose that we also do a prop class for those interested. Some of you
>>> know my miniature and model skills. In last couple of years I started to
>>> get into more motorized or robotic features of my models and I have to
>>> say it is the best challenge for me as an artist. I want to learn more
>>> from the seasoned veterans of this group. I think if we did some kind of
>>> class, those interested could learn from each other and we could all
>>> benefit. I want to share my successes of model and LED application
>>> aesthetics. Let me know if we can do a workshop on this. Have a great 
>>> week:)
>>>
>>> For those interested, I have updated my You tube channel with my short
>>> horror film I dis last year. I created all of the visual effects among
>>> everything else. I could have used more blood in the grand finale
>>> effect, live and learn.
>>> http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=cozmicpfunk
>>> JPF
>>>
>>> Gray Mack wrote:
>>>
>>>       
>>>> Javier, I saw this post recently and was wondering if
>>>> you got anywhere with your robot designs.
>>>> In looking at an example from the movie "Batteries Not
>>>> Included"
>>>> http://www.ketzer.com/original_movie_props/wheems.html
>>>> You might be right that a real robot may not be the
>>>> best approach for something small and detailed like
>>>> that.
>>>>
>>>> My suggestion is to try to model it in a cad program.
>>>> Something like autocad or google sketchup. Then you
>>>> have a basis for your CGI model already done.
>>>> And you can experiment with the little details like
>>>> teeth, eyebrows, etc which are likely important in
>>>> making your robot seem menacing or lovable or
>>>> somewhere in between.
>>>>
>>>> The next step might be to check out some card folding
>>>> applications. Download a free copy of Pepakura
>>>> Designer ( http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/ )and
>>>> see that it will import the format that your CAD
>>>> program can export. This will allow you to print out a
>>>> cut-out-and-fold paper model of your 3d design. You
>>>> could probably transfer the design to thin sheet metal
>>>> and tin snip it out for something more rigid. With
>>>> some careful design, you might even be able to use
>>>> some pushwire cables to animate it. Here is an example
>>>> of a CAD to 3d paper model I created using these
>>>> techniques in just one evening:
>>>> http://robotics.meetup.com/69/photos/135747/1094946/
>>>>
>>>> You may find it hard to get anyone to volunteer to
>>>> actually build one as it involves a lot of time and
>>>> work. But it is something you could do yourself, or
>>>> maybe you could find a way to get some kids involved
>>>> for some sort of contest/prize?
>>>>
>>>> -Gray
>>>>
>>>> --- Javier Bonafont <bonafont at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         
>>>>> Hi robot afficionados.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm an austin filmmaker and I have a possible Web
>>>>> series that involves a
>>>>> small robot, about 4" tall, and I'm looking for
>>>>> somebody to help design and
>>>>> build it.  There will be a CGI version of it also,
>>>>> but I want to start with
>>>>> the physical version.  Anyone in the austin area
>>>>> interested?  possible
>>>>> deferred pay if the pilot is picked up.
>>>>>
>>>>> The robot is essentially a mechanical puppet, not
>>>>> necessarily a real robot,
>>>>> but it has to look like something out of "batteries
>>>>> not included" or
>>>>> something of that nature, with parts that move and
>>>>> light up, etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> email me for more information and details at
>>>>> bonafont at sbcglobal.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>> Javier Bonafont
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>           
>>>> ____________________________________________________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>         
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