The Algorithmist

In case you haven’t seen this, check out this impressive list of demos, downloads, and YouTube tutorials on the WOW engine and PV3D!

Wow Physics Papervervision3D Starter Code
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/wowphysics/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/downloads/list
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYZn0fEtwmQ

3D Sinc Plotter
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/sincplot/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/ under downloads

Papervision 3D: Getting Started in Flex 3
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgFWaGheR6g

3D Plotter in Papervison3D and Flex 3 (1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlFLT9YA444

3D Plotter in Papervison3D and Flex 3 (2 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvpIFLLLKp8

Molecule Viewer
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/molecule/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/ under downloads

Molecule Viewer in Papervision3D and Flex 3 (1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smDWxWx9I8A

Molecule Viewer in Papervision3D and Flex 3 (2 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWeMDzvQ9ko

3D Carousel in Flex 3 and Papervision3D (Free Souce Code)
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/carousel/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/ (under downloads)
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWUR0Yh2Ys

Bible Code in Papervision3D and Flex 3
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/omega/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/biblecode/ (under downloads)
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gC4MM2INpo

PaperLife3D
Demo: http://nkuflc.org/plnav/
Source: http://code.google.com/p/paperlife/ (under downloads)
YouTube:

(1 of 2) Papervision3D Second Life Nav System in Flex 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WbdTdjVO2c
(2 of 2) Papervision3D Second Life Nav System in Flex 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt0V7c44T7U

When using Bezier curves to approximate trajectories in path animation, it can be useful to query extreme points. This query can be used, for example, to test if an auto-generated path between two points exceeds a bound. For quadratic Beziers, there are three critical points in [0.1]; the endpoints and a possible third point where the derivative is zero. Four methods, tAtMinX(), tAtMaxX(), tAtMinY(), and tAtMaxY() were added to the IParametric Interface, although the only concrete implementation is currently for Bezier2.

The following screen shot illustrates an example of a quad. Bezier trajectory auto-generated between two endpoints. The red Knots indicate maximum y-value (y-down is positive in Flash) and the green Knots indicate minimum y-value.

In this case, tAtMinY() indicates the parameter value at the top of the trajectory from the point of view of the user. The Bezier2 class also has a working implementation of toString(), although some thought is required as to how it should be implemented for arbitrary parametric curves. The usual work in progress

As always, Singularity can be downloaded here. Experiment and have fun!

This question comes up a lot, mostly from the standpoint of creating lightweight app. managers in Flash CS3 that load independent portions of an application that are written in Flex. I’ve used this in the past for PureMVC applications that load other PureMVC apps, for example. The technique in the sample files is a quick hack, but hacks can be fun. No time for a full-on tutorial, so you’ll have to deconstruct it yourself. Pretty easy to figure out and you will probably be able to find the cleaner way to accomplish the task as well

The Flex -> Flash example shows how to create a simple Flex app. with a button that dispatches an event on click. The Flash CS3 Document class loads the .swf created by Flex and assigns a handler for the event. The handler manipulates the button and calls a public method defined in the Flex app’s SCRIPT block.

The same method can be used to load Flex into Flex and there are examples of both. The Flex -> Flex example shows a couple variations that may be of interest to you.

There is a README file with the code distribution. Download the files here and have fun!

Interesting draft weekend. Thought my two teams (Cowboys and Falcons) did okay. Kind of surprised the boys did not take a receiver, but for a good draft pick, need must coincide with opportunity. The added 3rd- and 4th-round picks next year could be parlayed into a trade-up for a good receiver, so we’ll have to hope Glenn has at least one good year left. Nice to see the Falcons put the Vick era behind them. Not sure that Ryan is really a top first-round QB, but I hope it works out and hope to see the Falcons on the rebound this year.

Although it’s been over 25 years since I touched a racket, I’ve decided to take up tennis as part of my general ‘get back in shape’ initiative Just curious if there are any Flash/Flex tennis players in the D/FW area? Once I get my game back (interpretation - at least hold my own against an 8-year old), maybe we ought to have a Flash/Flex league or something. Might be a good way to network and keep in shape at the same time.

I remember bluffing my way through setting up PV3D to work in a Flex environment.  If you’re just starting out with Papervision 3D, then check out Fabian’s Installing Papervision3D on Flash and Flex tutorial.  So easy, a caveman could do it

A brief mention of some recent 3D developments.  Been following the Alternativa engine development for a while and their blog shows some very interesting demos.  At a glance, it seems to be optimized for interactive gaming, whereas PV3D is being developed for very general usage.  I could be way off on that - just a quick observation :)  Check it out for yourself here.

Eduardo Dias da Costa pinged me about a 3D panoramic viewer, which you can see here.  That’s it for now … back to work!

A quick update from the underground (should be coming up for a bit of air in the near future). A new method has been added (and a small bug fix) in the quad. Bezier class. As always, Singularity can be downloaded here.

A preview of upcoming methods include Bezier y at x and a possible TechNote on easing with parametric curves.

I’ve started a very large project that will keep me occupied 7 days as week for quite some time. Just a quick note to inform everyone that blog posts will be very sparse for quite a while. Thanks.

This impressive work was created by Lessrain in Papervision 3D.  I can really appreciate the effort that went into this one.

Check out the Red Bull Flight Lab.