Renderphase» Other

Now That's A Good Batman

Rounin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:10:28 +0000

So did you check out that Batman costume that someone made? It's looks exactly like the one in the Batman Arkham Asylum video game. The creators made sure to stay very true to the source with have the right colors, minute details, and just overall coolness. Even the cowl moves when your head turns. Maybe they should use this in Batman Begins. This suit is much better looking than the movie ones. Check out more at the TheEffectsLab forums.

Experience Zero Gravity

Rounin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:27:08 +0000

Nothing like some good old extreme sports to get your blood pumping. Except, this one is more elegant than usual. Take a bunch of guys and put them on the helicopter. Next, put them off on a mountain cliff. Add a couple little cameras and what you get is some very stunning scenes. If this was shot on a IMAX, that would be crazy and thrilling.

As far as technical stuff goes, a couple Gopro cameras, parachutes, and air gliding suits.

Demo under August Rain

Pixel — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:47:28 +0000

The Chicago Tech Meetup (@Tech_Chicago, #chitm) hosted its August Demos on Monday, so I thought I'd check it out. I wanted to get inspired by the cool things the Chicago techies are making. Who knows, maybe I'm planning to build something and I want to make sure I don't steal anyone's ideas. Then again, maybe I just want the free food. Yes, free food is the key to getting guys out of their high-rise condos and come to your events.

As usual, all downtown tech events, whether it’s the .Net crowd or the CGSociety folks, takes place in buildings that require magnetic ID cards or security guest lists. Unfortunately, I wasn't on the list. Fortunately, security let me in. Unfortunately, I wasn't on the list in the second sign-up area. Fortunately, blonde person let me in. Apparently, RSVP and asking someone to put my name on the list last week didn't work.

When I finally got inside the presentation room, I grabbed a seat on the 2nd/3rd row, so I could get clear view right in front of the projector screen. I was hoping people would sit in-front/around me, but instead everyone sat behind me. Consequently, I had to work extra hard not to yawn in front of the presenters.

As for the actual demos, I was expecting to see some funky algorithms that did something new to help people. Maybe a new Search Engine to address Google's highly disorganized search results or a tool that involved organizing your life that has nothing to do with social API's. I don't think Steve Jobs is on Twitter, so what happens if he uses your app that relies on Twitter API?

The apps that attracted me the most were MyZeus, Goshi.me, and koaladeal.com. The other projects are great in their own way, but I'm not in school, I don't have a kid, and I want a deal on a Sony S1 tablet! MyZeus is about movies and music. If you read this blog, then you probably know we like those things. Goshi.me helps artists sell their artwork. Maybe I'll try it with one of my old pencil drawings. One thing that I don't understand is the lack of actual web app that runs on a desktop browser. Koaladeal's UI looks nice and that's enough to make me want to consider trying it.

All in all, pretty good demos.

Cosplayers. Yes Their Good At Their Craft

Rounin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:52:12 +0000

Cosplaying has been around for years, but it seems the wow factor has totally been upped in recent years. These days everyone makes their own clothes, props, etc. You name it. They've always been able to use new methods to create realistic looking armor etc without feeling heavy.

Just recently, the Anime Expo in Cali was held. In my opinoin, this is one of the best Cosplaying cons to attend in the US. The amount of sheer quality of outfits are amazing. They got everything from game character, anime, and movies. If you've never been to one of these, it's basically a comic con except people go to have fun and dress up as their favorite characters. You can buy items there, watch the latest anime movie/shows and meet some voice overs or creators in person. They also have mini-concerts of bands from Japan.

If you're thinking Cosplay is strange. Fear not it's not. With movie studios grabbing rights to anime, we can only anticipate it to get bigger. Check out the videos below for some cosplayers at the recent Anime Expo. Taken by Acksonl who has a nack for capturing these Cons!

The Stuxnet Info Graphic

Rounin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:37:26 +0000

There's a lot of things going on in this world, but who would of thought in this digital age, someone created a very smart virus. A motion graphics piece created by Patrick Clair shows how scary this virus is and will become in the near future. A virus smart enough to fool even the most extensive security measures. It's make you wonder what will the next world war be. Will the next war be fought with binaries instead of ammunitons? Take a gander at this very informative video.

Japanese Automata

Rounin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:26:23 +0000

Japanese Automata also known in Japan as Karakuri Ningyo. So what is it? It's basically creating robots without the electronics or computers. It's like a doll that moves without electricity. All it needs is a push or a small motion and it will start to move. Don't believe me, check out this short video on it. This very cool indeed and hopefully these type of art doesn't fade away.

Can't Wait For Dark Knight Rises?

Rounin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:53:05 +0000

Then check out Batman Delivrance. A Batman fan made short that really doesn't make sense. While the visuals were pleasing for the most part (too much used of straight out black though), the story was left to be desired. If you don't know, in this short, Batman is old and and fights Wolverine. Yes, Wolverine. I have know idea why they're fighting but they're fighting in a scene that's all black except for a spot light above. I guess it was just cheaper to not have a set at all. Wolverine looked just the movie Wolverine. Plus one for that and the Batman suit is pretty good. So the final scene which is the fight between Batman and Wolverine, what happens, who wins? The ending is likely not what you would expect. One thing I don't get, so why the heck is the credits in English when the whole short was in French (with English Subtitles). That just doesn't make sense. If you're a fan of Batman and love to see what a crossover of superheros would be like, then take a look a this French Batman short. It's not really bad, it just didn't make sense.

Cool Aerial Shots

Rounin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:57:14 +0000

Any videoographers out there? Well check out these. If you need some really cool aerial shots this will give you some ideas. Most people don't have money to have a helicopter fly them up so that they can takes shots from above. With a little know how you can grab an RC plane and attach a camera with it and you should be good to go.

The footage above is really good minus the little section of the plane visible to it. Even though the footage is shaky in some instances, it was still smooth for the most part. Any shaky footage can be cleaned up in post for a smoother look. I'm not sure how legal it is to fly an RC plane in a downtown city, especially in New York, but none the less great shots and boy can that little plane fly really high.

The Statue Of Gundam

Rounin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:35:09 +0000

While the US gets a statue of Liberty, what does Japan get? That's right, a freaking huge mech. More specifically, a Gundam. Please note what you will see in the video below is not fake or composited, it truly is a 1:1 statue of the iconic Gundam. In addition to that it's head moves, it lights up and there is even smoke that occasionally comes out of the vents and exhaust. I wouldn't mind if they built one these mechs or robots here in the US. I also don't mean one the size of a car, but a full blown 1:1 sized one. Maybe a Voltron or heck how about something American made like the Iron Giant. Anyways those that loves anime, Gundam and robots don't get too excited because the likely hood this thing will come around to your neighborhood is nil.

Playing With Lights

Rounin — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:58:04 +0000

People are doing some really cool things with projections. Take this for instance. It's real and I'm guessing you have to stay at one place to see the true effect. The room has to be pretty much dark as well. None the less, it's still amazing. Makes me wonder if the little scanner light at the beginning is required to get where all the placement of the object are before the light show begins. Enough of trying to figure it out and let's just watch the video below. Created by the company Superbien from France.