IMPORTING GOOGLE EARTH TERRAIN INTO CRYSIS

Click the image. For those of you using city environments don't forget you can use models from Google Earth / Sketchup Warehouse too

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA SHEET

Hi all, don't forget to check the assessment criteria

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT - EXP02 SUBMISSION

Hi all, I thought I’d write some things for you to consider for the experiment 2 submission. If you need to clarify anything, either write a comment on this blog post, or email me at r.kember@unsw.edu.au. I am also happy to help out over the next few days if you get stuck on any parts of your design. Just send me an email.

2 X LABS:

“At either end of your structure of 10 interconnected prisms.” They don’t have to be at either end, they could be on top of each other, for example. As long as:

01 your prisms are arranged in a way that reads as an amalgamation/united combination.

02 there are two areas that each reflect the client / scientist and their hypothesis.

MAKE SURE YOU STICK TO TEN PRISMS!

1 X MEETING SPACE:

“On the land form.” Or, part of your structure could be the meeting space. It just has to engage with the land in a way that”

                        01 “articulates a relationship” to your rectangular structure

                        02 allows each client to arrive from their lab in a “distinctive and significant way”

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THIS PART. YOU ARE SCULPTORS. REFER TO RUSSELL’S LAND LECTURE FOR EXAMPLES OF WAYS YOU COULD THINK ABOUT SHAPING THE LAND. CHECK OUT SHAOWEN’S AND FRUSZINA’S BLOGS TOO.

BUILDING DETAIL:

01 Should reinforce the electroliquid aggregation that it represents

02 Should be derived in some way from your prism structure. Think about scaling   larger parts of your structure down to create a series of steps, for example…

03 Can be any building element, e.g. Stairs, a ramp, balustrades, openings. HOWEVER, we are not after a massing model /prism structure that is a fully furnished building,. The point of your detail is to enhance / reinforce your overall scheme. So consider wisely what bits of detail to include.

Consider the points at which you take your screen caps – they shouldn’t really be from a point hovering above the ocean - you should use them to illustrate the movement to and from, through and around your structure and land form…Also,  I am happy to go by boat / helicopter to you island, for example! Just tell me where to start on your map.

A good scan and muck-around in Photoshop can improve your axo sketches immensely.

Include all necessary info to your blog in a way that I will know what your hypotheses are and who your clients are. A blurb explaining your design would be good. You might even like to compose your words and images together in Photoshop , like the student examples in Russell’s Elec lecture.

That’s all for now,  good luck!

Ros

ALTERNATIVE RC EXE FOR PLAYUP

Hi All, 


Philip had issues with some of his model's faces - they didn't show in Crysis even when the Playup check normals tool showed that they were facing the right way (they were grey, not green.)


This was fixed by using an alternative rc , as suggested by Daniel Gormly - thanks Daniel.
If you come across this problem, you could try this:
http://www.crymod.com/filebase.php?fileid=1593&lim=0

Download file 'bin32.zip', extract and direct playup to the new rc.exe. no need to replace the original bin32 folder - it can be run from any directory.

BECAUSE CRYMOD.COM IS OUT OF ACTION GO TO HERE INSTEAD:

http://www.gamefront.com/files/20275896/Bin32b.zip

EDIT:  http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7FQGXZS0

MORE CRYSIS TIPS AND TRICKS

Hi everyone, I have added three new links to some handy Crysis tutorials and tips - thanks to Jules Cromarty. They are posted under the CRYSIS TIPS AND TUTORIALS  section on this blog.


 I suggest you check them all out.

STUDENT COMMENTS

Anthony Constantinidis

Key strength of the scheme: The play on scale. The spaces are extremely oversized and scaled up which could makes for an interesting scheme.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: The play on scale; you have not managed to resolve issues relating to over scaled nature of spaces; have put a person on the bottom “step” of Banksy’s studio with little thought or explanation of how they actually got there.

Benjamin Hur

Key strength of the scheme: The juxtaposition of all your expressive elements. I like the way the “staring” balls are embedded in the datum, how the fingers structure is slightly raised above, with some strong elements linking the two studios and also making a gradual transition between the above and below ground spaces. You are obviously very skilled with Sketch up.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: Even though you have carefully added your custom textures in places, I think an addition of colour and reference to materiality would have boosted all the different elements of the scheme. For next submission consider to how to “sell” or explain your scheme best, i.e. “money shots” of what you think are the most important parts...One of your animations doesn’t do anything for 8 seconds. Also, you could have used your animations help explain better how all your interesting spaces interconnect.

Blake Hamilton

Key strength of the scheme: Mueck’s studio space and the stairs leading up are the most successful at representing the ideas behind your design. I like the relationship between Mueck’s studio and the exhibition space.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: It would have been nice to see more feedback taken on board in your final design, e.g. the validity of the 2 park bench seats VS more thought and understanding put into designing a place to sit/reflect while depressed, OR designing a space that reflects characteristics someone sitting depressed...Your below ground stairs could have been more dynamic and engaged more with all your rooms/spaces. Incorporating a bridge walkway that people could look down from; instead of just serving a function of taking people from A to B, was one such way we talked about.

Christine Yang

Key strength of the scheme: The stacked intersecting boxes. I would have like to have seen more development of the relationship of each of these spaces and how they can better relate to your artist (Malangi). I like the way Malangi’s studio and the exhibition space sits above ground. Banksy’s studio needs more refinement.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: I don’t think you have chosen the right forms to reflect your words “believe” and “anti-tradition;” you have not successfully justified why you chose an almost perfect indent in the ground to reflect the idea of Banksy and “anti tradition” and stacked boxes for Malangi and “believe.” I would argue that the two forms should be swapped; the symmetry of Banksy’s indent evokes symmetry of traditional buildings e.g. churches or spaces for worship and the stacking of your boxes has been done in an unconventional manner.

Daniel Gormly

Key strength of the scheme: Interesting and bold forms that could have provided a good basis for a solid scheme.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: At least one of your animations was supposed to utilise the section. All your sketches look rushed and show no evidence of any thought or care. No evidence of design resolution; the stairs are supposed to “demonstrate a distinctive and significant approach to bringing complete artwork to the gallery.” Your studio spaces are supposed cater to the unique needs of your chosen artists, as well as reflect your words. What you submitted fails to achieve this. It doesn’t help that you only came to studio once so I have little knowledge of your design process.

Daniel Juarez

Key strength of the scheme: I really like the way you have positioned your “rings” to sit irregularly, with the ball on top, it’s a nice composition that starts to break away from the regular symmetry of the individual elements. Nice renders too, makes the above ground structure look like folded paper.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: Am I supposed to be able to be able to exit at the middle level from your top stairs? Your scheme needs to more strongly reflect the ideas behind it, at the moment it’s a bit generic. Keep working on your composition, for your next scheme aim to be more ambitious, I think it will bring you great success.

Hejia Ong

Key strength of the scheme: Interesting assortment of shapes for the below ground studio.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: I have no idea what your scheme is about, who your artists are, what your words to describe them are, and the ideas behind your stairs, and nothing on your blog tells me any of this. You also have not submitted any animations, and I cannot find your Sketchup model on Google Warehouse. If you need extra help, or have any questions about anything, please come and ask me. I strongly suggest you communicate with your peers as a way of keeping on top of what is required for submissions, but again, please do not hesitate to ask me.

Jacqueline Lindeman

Key strength of the scheme: The depth of thought and rigour put into the design and presentation of the scheme. Interesting variation of spaces and interconnectivity between.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: Your ideas are great but I think the gestures/representation of your ideas could be extended further, e.g. even more variation of “protection” / “exposure” between the different layers, more evidence of the notion of “gather“ at the tip... I’m sure this will come as you get more confident in exploring your ideas.

Josh Fitzgerald

Key strength of the scheme: The sense of flow and movement through scheme; the composition of the two stairs reinforce this. The consideration of the datum and how the building acknowledges  the surrounding landscape.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: The studio spaces for the two artists and the act of bringing their artwork to the exhibition space seem to be neglected; does Mueck work on the roof? Little indication or consideration of Malangi in the below ground studio. Adding some of his artworks for a sense of scale would have helped achieve this, as instructed in Week 3 Independent study.

Kurtis Bosley

Key strength of the scheme: the way your “wings” evoke lightness. The juxtaposition of the 3 spaces created by these forms, although nothing much seems to be going on in the second “wing.” Great application of textures. Banksy’s uppermost stairs are good...although how are you supposed to get up/down to the studio space? Nice sketches.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: Your final design needed to progress from your sketch section further. A consideration of how your design sits in the landscape / showing the datum would have strengthened your scheme. The idea of “symbiosis” is weak in Malangi’s studio. I think if you focus on being more conscious about your design choices your final product will be more successful.

MatthewCowle

Key strength of the scheme: First scheme I’ve seen that sits embedded into the earth, reminds me of the church Russell showed in his Land lecture. Interesting composition of organic and linear/angular elements. The application of your “Intricate” texture is effective in highlighting important elements of your scheme, e.g. the stairs, the archway. The composition of spaces is good; interesting relationship between the upper studio and the datum.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: I think you could have got a higher mark if you had given yourself the time to further resolve and refine your ideas and spaces e.g. the bottom studio. You could have better utilised your animations to show off the best bits of your scheme more.

Matthew Wellan

Key strength of the scheme: I really like the way the interlocking stairs in “hungry” reflect the form of the space they are in. The way the below ground studio breaches the cliff face creates a dramatic space. You utilised your animations well to explain your scheme and show its best bits.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: Your “waiting” Mueck studio and exhibition space need much more work and resolution. If you had reached this level of resolution earlier and given yourself more yourself time to refine your ideas your mark would have been higher. I expect some exciting things from you for Experiment 2 and 3.

Philip Junaeus

Key strength of the scheme: Your scheme has come a long way since I last saw it. You should aim to get to this stage earlier for Experiment 2 and 3 in order to allow yourself time to resolve and refine your concepts. I like the way you have dealt with the glass façade.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: The exploration of ideas behind your stairs/ spaces/ elements are only just beginning to emerge; I like the twisted cone, but how could it better be utilised? Instead of being an impenetrable element used only to hold up an ordinary looking platform, could it be a secondary space, or could it bring light in from above, etc. I like the way Banksy’s stairs are beginning to explore the space, but do the regularity of the stair treads best reflect Banksy and the way he moves about space? The idea of working/modularity and the relationship/movement between all 3 spaces need further resolution.

Stephen Dovas

Key strength of the scheme: This is a bold scheme; great use of colour and application of your custom textures. The epic atrium in the centre that breaches the datum creates an interesting space, it would have been good to use one of your animations and/or images to show what it might feel like to be in there. Evidence of application of research into precedents (Escher.)

Most significant weakness of the scheme: There seems to be a lot of “dead space”, as a result of extruding the sketch section…I acknowledge the attempts to break away from the extruded section; however I question the success of some of the decisions, e.g. glass walls below ground? I commend your effort and enthusiasm to the course and have no doubt you can be very successful Experiment 02 and 03.

Wei Wei

Key strength of the scheme: Relationship between the spaces at the studio spaces and the datum. I like the way these spaces have been offset from one another and arranged around a sunken courtyard. Your sketch section drawings have great energy.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: No part of your presentation, the animations or images, highlight your stair design, or what you think are the most important parts of your scheme. You have not included the words behind your scheme in your presentation/blog either. When I asked you in class you were unable to tell me what your words were. You need to be able to justify the decisions you make in your design process. To be able to do this, you need to be much more aware of the reasons behind why you choose to design an element, e.g. a stair, the way you have.

Zhuangwei Lin

Key strength of the scheme: I like the effort and thought you have put into your stair design; it looks as if you had a sense of what you wanted to create and, unlike with the rest of your scheme, your stair design builds on your initial concepts to an extent.

Most significant weakness of the scheme: It lacks resolution. You needed to design/develop your sketch section, not just replicate it. Your architecture needs to have more of a sense of enclosure, or be thought of as defining spaces.

AXONOMETRICS

Hope you've all had another good look at this week's lecture to gear you up for Experiment 2. Below are some axonometrics for you check out:

Peter Eisenman

John Hejduk

HYPOTHESES

hy·poth·e·sis

1. a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as anexplanation for the occurrence of some specified group ofphenomena, either asserted merely as a provisionalconjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis)  oraccepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.

2.

a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument.

3.

the antecedent of a conditional proposition.

4.

a mere assumption or guess.

CLIENT: Maria Agnesi

It was her pioneering nature forged the pathway for female academics.

Maria’s focussed and goal driven tendencies helped her succeed in everything she pursued.

Her mathematics studies and her religious practices were contradictory.

She was intent on passing on her knowledge.

She was an introvert – perhaps as a result of being one of many children.

CLIENT: Isacc Newton

He merged religion with sciences and maths.

He brought awareness to the way light is dependent on the material it interacts with.

He was determined to prove that gravity exerts force on everything.

Being overwhelmed by his knowledge of the physical world led to his mental breakdown.

His stubborn attitude hindered his ability to trust his friends and family.

CLIENT: Sigmund Freud

He was calculated in terms of his approach to his research.

His patients were hysterical.

He spent his entire life in poor health.

His life was obscure.

His research methods were unorthodox.

I WOULD SUGGEST YOU PICK TWO FROM EACH TO DRAW YOUR AXOS, CONSIDERING YOU WILL BE DESIGNING FOR 2 OF THESE PEOPLE, SO KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN:

 “Choose a specific hypothesis related to two of the three clients listed above and create an architecture consisting of three spaces. The first two spaces should be at either end of a structure made from 10 interconnected rectangular forms. The third space should be on the landform that articulates a relationship to the rectangular forms. The spaces at either end of the rectangular forms are the clients laboratories (imagine the experiment to test your hypothesis will actually be conducted there). The space on the landform is a place for your clients to meet and exchange ideas. The landform should allow each client to arrive at their meeting in a distinctive and significant way.”

CRYSIS TIPS - HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES IN CRYSIS

HI EVERYONE, HERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO USING FRAPS WHEN TAKING SCREENSHOTS FROM CRYSIS - thanks Mr Wallace: 
High Resolution Crysis Screenshots

1. figure out the ratio of your game screen (top right corner) divide width by height (ie 1600/900 = 1.77)

2. use the ratio to set high resolution dimension using 4096 as width. (ie 4096/1.77 = 2314)

3. set the dimensions in crysis:

press ~ when in game mode to get the console command prompt

type:

e_screenshot_width = 4096 [press enter]

e_screenshot_height = 2314 [press enter]

4. capture screen

set up the angle in game

type:

e_screenshot 1

5. Image will be saved in your game folder under screenshots\high-res\

image will be in targa format - edit with photoshop. save smaller jpgs (1920x1200) and upload these to your blog.

CLASS SKETCH UP MODEL

Hope you all are making good progress with your 2^nd Sketchup model and stair design.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

• The idea behind each of your stairs, how can you best express your idea? Think about your idea in terms of your stair’s, structure, form, choice of materials.

Eg. What do you think the architect is trying to express through this stair design?

What could be the idea behind this stair design?

Check out: http://www.pagesdigital.com/stairway-to-heaven/#http://www.pagesdigital.com/wp-content/gallery/dina-stairs/12stairs-shadow.jpg

And: http://www.dezeen.com/2010/03/11/genetic-stair-by-caliper-studio/comment-page-1/

And: http://www.trendir.com/archives/003070.html

• Use the Section Plane tool to help you with designing your stairs, and also to help show your overall design.

• Don’t forget to upload all your hand drawings and Sketch up images to your blog BEFORE CLASS.

• I also recommend printing out the studio task before coming to class too.

• Either bring your Sketch up file, or your lap top with the file on it. (Mac users, make sure the file type, .skp, is included on the end of your file name when you save it.)

• Have a read of what is due on March 27, eg “THE 18 SKETCH SECTIONS _ Do the 18 sketch sections communicate a distinctive and significant approach the student has taken with respect to the artists work and their relationship to the datum?”

And,

• “THE STAIR _ Does the stair demonstrate a distinctive and significant approach to bringing the completed artwork into the gallery?”

See you Wednesday.

PS, Someone left their glasses behind last week.