http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:daboomonline&section=today deviantART RSS for by:daboomonline en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:32:49 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/24166813/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/24166813/ Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:40:47 PDT
However, after learning the basics of using OpenGL and SDL, I decided to try again but starting from scratch using concepts I learned from the first attempt. So far it has progressed quite smoothly since March. So far I have:

- An 'Engine' class as the main point of contact for the engine.
- A state system with customizable 'Load', 'Close', 'Update', and 'Render' methods which mesh with a state manager in the 'Engine' class.
- A resource manager for models, sounds, etc.
- A 'Model' class which uses my own XML based file format (which I can export to from Blender using my own exporter script )
- A 'Material' class which defines colours, textures, etc for the models (again using a custom XML file format).
- A 'SceneObject' class which instances models with their own properties (like position, rotation, material, etc).
- A 'Map' class which loads in a custom XML map file and creates the scene objects.

There is still much to do before it can be used for an actual game (mostly optimization because there is much memory leakage, the rendering is butt slow when rendering more then a few objects and it takes a hugely long time to render all the assets).

If you're interested,the development blog [link] from the first attempt is still up and I'm still posting. If you're really interested (and maybe want to help out), you can view/checkout the source at Google Code [link] .

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/22446978/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/22446978/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:40:15 PST
]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/18593863/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/18593863/ Sat, 31 May 2008 13:10:07 PDT )

[link]

What's the name about? Think about it for a while and maybe it will come to you...

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/18131484/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/18131484/ Fri, 02 May 2008 11:00:07 PDT
So, I switched back to PHP but Dreamweaver takes care of everything for you, no code required which while it makes app development faster, it also makes it boring. Yep, programming wasn't fun any more.

So, I switched tack and bought myself a book: "C++, A Beginner's Guide" which is a 540 page tome dedicated to teaching C++ to people who are completely new to the language. As the syntax is very similar to PHP and ActionScript, I felt right at home. Now, C++ is FUN programming. It is a very nice language and you know what the best part is? DirectX!

Here's what I recommend if you are at all interested in programming games:

1. Download the Dark Basic Pro trial [link] and see how easy it is to make a cube appear on the screen (about 3 lines)

2. Download MS Visual C++ Express

3. Download the DirectX SDK and Windows Platform SDK

4. Install and set them up for use in Visual C++

5. Follow the tutorials at [link] and see how easy it is to display a cube using C++ and DirectX (about 240 lines)

6. Understand that if you are interested in following a career in game programming, C++ and DirectX/Open GL are the only way you will get you dream job at Bungie/EA/Rockstar


I followed these steps and look where I ended up: A hugely motivated amateur programmer with a game engine in development with simple DirectInput support, text support and (almost) able to display loaded models.

Anyways, this is what I've been up to (besides revising for by AS exams) you can keep up with the development of the game engine here: [link]

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/17234844/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/17234844/ Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:12:48 PST [link]

This framework, while it was tricky to get it working on Windows, it took all of about 5 minutes to set it up on Ubuntu. Unfortunately, I don't use Ubuntu very often so getting it working on Windows was more important. However, Instant Rails turned out to work very well in the end .

Anyway, after about a week of struggle, I have got it working (mostly) and I have managed to get the basics. It is very different to how I programmed in PHP (probably due to my roundabout way of coding where I wake up next morning unable to comprehend the code I wrote the previous evening wondering how it even runs) but I am glad that I am finally learning how to structure my code. It is also good to have an asset naming convention which is essential in Rails

Anyway I will be posting more photography work and web designs soon.

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/17072197/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/17072197/ Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:27:13 PST

Please remember these steps while tagging:

1. Post these rules in your journal.
2. Each tagged person shall post 8 aleatory facts about themselves.
3. Tagged people shall write a Journal/Blog about their facts.
4. After posting your 8 facts, tag and name 8 more people.
5. Go to their dA websites and comment that they have been tagged and hugged, or have inspirational qualities...


Eight facts about me:

1. I like to read fantasy and sci-fi. NOTHING ELSE.
2. My first ever web design tool was MS Frontpage 2000. O_o
3. I discuss particle/astro physics in my spare time.
4. I am a big fan of web comics. Mainly, The whiteboard: [link] , XKCD: [link] and, Explosm: [link]
5. I love lol cats.
6. I can correct spelling, punctuation AND grammar!
7. I got a grade 'E' in GCSE Spanish.
8. I see dead people.




I have tagged:



]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/16720151/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/16720151/ Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:56:14 PST
As a subscriber to 3D world magazine, I had a limitless supply of companies to speak to. I sent emails, but got no reply. I even wrote to Blue GFX twice and they still haven't replied. I might as well have spoken to my wall for all the good it would do. Quite a few of the companies I wrote to, I knew about and I had respect for them, that is all gone now. From where I'm standing, they're all assholes.

But I couldn't sit around waiting for responses which were likely not to come. There is a deadline, I have to get these sorted by, and it is fast approaching.

Today, I went to see my schools head of careers (along with many other unfortunate students), he had a placement I could have at a graphic design and printing company. Sure it wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I couldn't complain right.

However, now my placement is almost sorted, I am quite relieved.

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/16299071/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/16299071/ Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:40:44 PST Yesterday I wend into London for a photoshoot (you can see come pictures in my gallery) For my next AS Photography project, the topic is architecture so now I have been to London, i have a few good ideas

Happy new year!

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/15328267/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/15328267/ Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:23:26 PDT [link] It is running on my own CMS system which is still in development but the only missing feature right now is RSS which I am working on. I would love to use the [link] API to automatically populate my links area but I can't figure out how to use it. It would also be great if deviantART had an API to use so I could display say the four most recent submissions or something but right now, that doesn't exist but there may be one in the future.

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/14755725/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/14755725/ Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:16:39 PDT . I'm running XP Home SP2 with 2 Gb RAM, 2.19 GHz Athalon 64 dual core chip and it runs so smothly, it's like gliding on the wind. I decided to be a good boy this time and not pirate Photoshop this time (excuse: too damn expencive) so I am using the Gimp and Paint.Net (which is actualy very good). I also run Lightroom for my primary photo work and Blender for 3D as always.

Now I am back at school, I am taking photography as a subject . What's realy cool is that we use a real darkroom as well as the digial one. Because I will be shooting on film I have aquired a couple lenses for my Pentax (film) SLR. A 85-205mm zoom and a 400mm telephoto (this one weighs a ton). [link] I also found a medium density gradient filter in a box while rummaging. Now all I need is a macro and a wide angle lens and i'm set.

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/14424866/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/14424866/ Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:49:39 PDT

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13900301/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13900301/ Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:49:21 PDT
I am now creating a 3d scene now and I have posted a work in progress render [link] and I plan not to give up on this one .

(If anyone knows how to have multiple UV textures on an object for a separate project which I started ages ago)

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13484691/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13484691/ Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:41:12 PDT
If anyone out there knows how get Javascript to submit data to it and to read it, please send me a note. Also, Safari seems to be the only browser able to read from it (Firefox wont)

I have also been learning about Adobe AIR which has also proved to be awesome. I love the fact that it is cross-platform for Windows and Mac but unfortunately, not Linux yet.

More from me later.

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13403471/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13403471/ Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:02:33 PDT
]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13263150/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/13263150/ Sun, 10 Jun 2007 07:29:12 PDT

I have a new tumble log at [link] as recommended by Merlin Mann at 43 Folders [link] and I will be posting many random and yet interesting things there. Right now it is quite empty.

I have also got Adobe Photoshop Lightroom now which is awesome and I am waiting to but a new camera hopefully one which uses camera RAW which would be neat.

Ok, that's all folks, I am in the middle of my exams right now so revising is a high priority so don't expect to see much from me until July...

Oh yeah, follow me on Jaiku if you want! [link]

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/12718349/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/12718349/ Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:48:57 PDT
DT coursework (Due Thursday O_o)
My PHP CMS
My person website
Vast Wars game
Photoshop pieces
That martial arts movie I keep meaning to do in Judo
Kick myself in the nuts...

Whelp, out of time and projects. Should probably get back to work.

/tom

Also, read this if you have read Maximum ride, very good fan fiction by a friend. [link]

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/12655572/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/12655572/ Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:54:59 PDT
1. Revising for my GCSEs (boring and demoralizing)
2. Coding a content management system in PHP and MySQL
3. Graphic design for a play called Shelved!
4. Learning about experimental quantum physics
5. Browsing teh web

Because of all these projects, I have not been putting stuff up here. In the near future I will probably post some Photoshop resources.

Also, if anyone wants to help be understand how to write my own Digg swarm type app [link] to put into my CMS I would be very happy

/tom

*EDIT*

Ok, I have uploaded two PSD files and a new ID and avatar. What do the three circles mean that are on my avatar? Secret for now... Just wait and see.

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/12335733/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/12335733/ Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:08:17 PDT
Firstly, almost right after my last post, my beloved Powerbook's hard drive failed on me (invalid node error). I couldn't boot into single user mode to perform an FSCK because some system files were damaged. I managed to get some stuff off the hard drive though. School work, big projects and the like but in all the commotion of moving house, I lost the disk

So I had to start from scratch with all my websites and projects (screw the school work) so I have been quite busy. Apart from anything else has been activity with my school's CCF (combined cadet force). This is were we learn to have fun, military style. Because i'm in the RAF (Royal Air Force) section, I get to go flying. 2 weeks ago I was soaring above RAF Benson with a few others. Beats school any day! On Saturday I am going gliding at RAF Halton.

My GCSE exams are looming and all my teachers are frantic but I don't care. Blander 2.43 is out and I am loving it! The sculpt mode is cool but I love the new composite features. I just want it to be Coca complaint in OSX!

So, yeah. I'm happy and working on a few websites and 3D projects. Be prepared for aircraft!

/tom

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/11373858/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/11373858/ Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:42:00 PST
Macworld keynote 07 just finished. Steve announced only the Apple TV and the iPhone (which I can't afford). I was hoping that Leopard would be out so I can upgrade. No iLife or iWork 07 yet but more could be coming. Oh, well. Apple TV is cool but I don't realy need one. Then again, I don't need a Wii but I'm still getting one.

Whelp, GCSE mock exams started today. Not too bad, only English and Business studies with 3 1/2 hour lunch break in between More updates on that later...

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/11322288/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/11322288/ Fri, 05 Jan 2007 08:46:28 PST So far I have coded a simple website with a user registration page, login page, logout page and got to grips with cookies. I am about to implement my new skills in my own website

Now, what can I do?...

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/11123079/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/11123079/ Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:34:08 PST [link] but it has now been directed to my new site.

I had been playing around with some Flash elements but they weren't very good so I decided to stick with this as it is. I also tried to create a new blog template but I couldn't get it to work so I will stick with this for now.

Go take a look! [link]

/tom

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10958657/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10958657/ Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:42:07 PST

Have I always been able to sell prints or is this something new for free members?

Here is the link:

[link]

Please buy!

EDIT:

I've now put another print up.

[link]

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10946689/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10946689/ Mon, 04 Dec 2006 10:16:08 PST Here I go...

Got my mock GCSE timetable today. I get to go home at 10:00 on Fri 12th Jan and I can come in later on many days. One of my friends has two whole days off! This means however that the exams are drawing ever closer as is Christmas.

"No chance of a Wii under the tree?" Nope, Game sold out already (of pre-orders) so I will have to wait. I'll just have to put up with the PS2 a little while longer. I do have to say tho, Sony has made a huge mistake with the PS3. It is an over priced, over-heating and over-large piece of crap in my opinion. It is not much better than PS2, it costs way too much money and you have to do an hour of online updates when you buy it. Sony placed a life expectancy on the PS3 of 10 years. I don't think it will last one. The PSP was a blunder and the DS was a success because of a new take on game control by Nintendo. Nintendo will sell many thousand Wiis because people like innovations. Sony haven't been innovating with the Playstation and this may bee the last Wii (excuse the pun) ever see of it.

Rant over, what else? I've been uploading more photography to deviantART. Check out my gallery. I've been working on my new website which will integrate with this blog and my devART gallery. I've been working occasionally on a game project with a friend and generally busy.

On Wednesday I am giving a 3 minute lecture to my fellow cadets at CCF on Computer Graphics. (3D, 2D, Compositing and Rotoscoping) Should be interesting 'cos must people won't understand. I am planning to blow their mind with some awesome keynote effects (they are all windows users and believe MS Powerpoint is the best app ever! ) Should be fun

Well, I'm beat. Check out my devART gallery and see you around

]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10622679/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10622679/ Sun, 05 Nov 2006 08:33:02 PST
]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10523369/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/10523369/ Fri, 27 Oct 2006 02:11:00 PDT
]]> ~daboomonline http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/9508057/ http://daboomonline.deviantart.com/journal/9508057/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 05:36:17 PDT

~zoom-zoom-zoom ]]> ~daboomonline