Return to 3D Modeling

07.16.2004

I've been trying to get back into the habit of playing around with Poser, hoping I'll be able to use it as a base for the figures I need in my ever-upcoming wrestling game. I've been downloading some models and messing around with them (setting them up, playing with lighting, etc). Version 5 of Poser is much different than version 4, so there are many things I'm having to learn over.

One of the best things about Poser is the large community that helps to support the users. If there's any type of model you want, there's a good chance you can find it. Most of the time I use 3D Commune or Renderosity for a good selection of free models. Vanishing Point is another good model and texture source. Although not as "community submitted" as other sites, the quality and details of the models offered here are extremely high (I've even bought a couple of the models they offer).

Last week I was playing with some rudimentary animation using Poser. Mainly I learned that I've got a lot to learn. Still, it's a whole lot of fun to play around with.

Permalink

Showdown: Legends Of Wrestling

07.15.2004

There are a couple of new wrestling games available, so I'm doing my duty and trying them out, even though I'm not holding out much hope that one of them will be the greatest, if only the latest. On today's list: Showdown, Legends of Wrestling for the Xbox.

Showdown is the 3rd installment in the Legends of Wrestling series from Acclaim. It has a similar control system to Legends 2, but the story mode has been redone. Instead of fighting for a championship from region to region, you now battle legends from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. It's an interesting concept, but the falacy it has is that once you lose, it's over. That makes this more of a fighting game set in a wrestling ring than a wrestling game in my eyes. I miss fighting to win a championship and then defending it, maybe losing it and then winning it again.

Graphics wise SLOW (gotta love that abbreviation, huh Acclaim?) is slightly better than Legends 2. The characters are still a little cartoony, but you can genereally tell who is who. Along those lines, the moves for most of the characters I've played seem to be reminiscent of the original. I've been playing as Dusty Rhodes most of the time, and he's got elbows flying and figure fours applied on everybody.

The actual gameplay/controls/move sets seem to be set like they were in Legends 2. That boils down to me being able to win matches, but it feels like I'm using the same 4 moves over and over. And if I'm ever in something other than a 1-on-1 match, I can never remember which button switches focus to the other opponent, so I'm screwed.

There are a couple of bugs I've heard about in the game. Phantom suplexes, "cheating AI" momentem meter, games freezing up. So far the only glitch I've had has been some animation problems during a powerbomb where the hapless victim seems to jump around the ring while going through the powerbombed motions.

So, overall, I would say the game pretty much sucks. I don't know if I'll end up playing it all the way through or not. I'm more likely to go back and play last years Smackdown.

Permalink

Evil Uncle Reborn!

07.14.2004

I'm scant on details do far, but Jer (and I guess Elaine) had kid #2 at 5:30 this morning. Jerry told me her official name, but I'm calling her Princess Leia so it doesn't really matter.

Once Jer is settled in and has time to put up a post, I'll let ya know.

Heh heh, I'm an evil uncle again!

---

......Special Mid-Day Update......

---

Ok, Jer's got some pics of Princess Leia Poplin up!

Permalink

7 Days of Spam

07.13.2004

A week ago, my Yahoo mail account reached the 4000th piece of spam received in my bulk folder. After 7 days the folder has grown by 1582 pieces of spam. That averages out to:

• 226 spams/day
• 56.5 spams/hour
• 0.94 spams/minute
• 0.015 spams/second

Well, that last one doesn't sound so bad, but almost one every minute? Well, in keeping with my latest tradition, I now show the latest topics of my spam, still penis enlarging hot women wanting me free:

• I hope we can help you feel better Well I hope they can too.
• Boost your child's grades this summer Wait, I got this one last Friday!
• Breaking News, XLPI,,.Get It As Soon As Possible jinrikisha Get it? Get what? If only I were intrigues enough to read it.
• How to take cash out of your home equity And never have to pay it back legally?
• Lose up to 19% total body weight or your money back I also got this one last Friday. I wonder if there's a timer for when my spam is sent?

I think I'm having too much fun with my spam.

Permalink

A Larry Hagman Quiet

07.12.2004

Years ago, back in the 80's sometime, I saw an interview with Larry Hagman and heard something that has always stuck with me. One day a week, Larry doesn't speak. It's a test of his self discipline, not some religious or spiritual practice. I remember thinking at the time that it was a neat thing to try, and must be somewhat calming. It was something I would have to try!

I then learned how amazingly difficult it is to go a day without speaking. A day without talking to someone on the phone. A day without speaking to someone while out shopping. Most difficult is a day without muttering some under your breath curse when you've done something stupid. I've tried this off and on, as opportunity would present itself, over the past 15 years at least, and never have I managed a day of not speaking.

This weekend that finally changed. I got home around 7:30 Friday night and decided this would be my weekend. Most people that I regularly talk to on the weekend would be out of town. I had lots of little house projects to keep me busy. I could do it!

Friday night goes by until I finally go to bed around 2:30 AM (those little house projects were getting on a roll). Saturday managed to also go off without a hitch. By 8:00 Saturday night I realized I had made it a day and gave a silent, mental cheer. I wondered how long I could keep it up? I doubt I could keep it up for 8 years, like James Earl Jones had as a child. But could I do it for another day?

On Sunday, I kept quiet until 1:30 in the afternoon, where I made my way to Wendy's for lunch (I was tired of microwaving everything!). As I ordered, I brought to an end my 42 hours of quality quiet time. I had managed to get a lot done at home - I think it worked out well for me. Maybe this will help me learn the best times to keep quiet?

Permalink