Thursday, March 15, 2007

3D TUTORIAL: SPLIT RENDERING IN VRAY/3DSMAX

I promised someone to send him tutorial links about split rendering. However, I can't dig the links so I made a quick tutorial. Might as well share it here:

1. In your scene, assign a unique 'Object ID' number for each object (ref above image)

2. Set your Vray Frame Buffer parameters as shown above
A. Assign where to save the split channels (ref above image).

3. Set your Render Elements parameters (ref below image):


A. Add the channels you need to split render
AA. select the channels you need (ref above image). For this tutorial I picked VrayObjectID, VrayRawLighting, and VrayShadows
B. (pls. ignore this, assign filenames here if using scanline. we already done so in step 2A)
C. Added channels will be reflected here (ref above image)

4. Render to open up the Vray VFB (above image). You can scroll to preview the channels during rendertime (ref below images).

ObjectID pass:

RawLighting Pass:

Shadow Pass:



5. Split channels are saved after render (image below):

These is a very basic workflow and will need to be adjusted to suit your needs. Some channels may not work for different image formats (tif, jpeg etc). If you are using Autodesk Combustion for post, max can create a combustion workspace with all the split channels already layered within the workspace file.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

3 Generations of Gadgets

Long before the ipod was invented, the Sony CD Walkman had served me for years (Of course there's the cassette walkman but I don't have it already):

(click images for a larger view)
The walkman was not considered 'bulky' then. Its this bulky housing called LaserLine. This box can hold 12 cd's, has a through for the earphone so it can be used while its closed, spare battery holder, and a rubber strap (already gone)...
The walkman is velcro-ed to the LaserLine so it doesn't move or shake while you're on the go.
Next to the walkman was the Sony MD-walkman that I dreamt having but never had it. Cost is one reason coz when you buy one, you also have to buy a midi component. When I came to Singapore, its this tiny radio receiver was very handy as I take bus more than train--the Sony Groove:
It become obsolete after 2yrs as I had to take the train more often, after shifting to another job. You won't get any radio signals in the subways here in SG. Furthermore, its difficult to get a consistent radio signal anywhere in SG due to the tall buildings and HDB houses. Finally, the Ipod Nano. Simple, compact, mp3 format, I-tunes software, podcasts...just right. So there they are, my 3 generations of gadgets (my take in history):Curious to see my favourite CD's? scroll down some more:

There are more, but these are my all-time favorites (my take in anti-piracy).

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Tennis Serves 2005

Dug these clips taken 2yrs ago. I think it has changed drastically over the years. 'Hope I can take and post our latest service strokes for comparison. Stay tuned! And here are the rest:

Paul: Correct bending of the knees but tummy is hindering the bending of the back and shoulder's follow-through
Pat: Good high toss but ball need not be too far away coz there's a tendency to lean forward forcing a net ball (fault serve).
Jun: A very relaxed serve. The receiving end can relax too coz the ball is coming too slow with a predictable trajectory and bounce.
Goryo: This serve relies on shoulder power. No bending of the back, no bending of knees and only minimal follow through of the shoulder.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Reunion


My old cymbal case has arrived. Thanks to brother Marvin. He arrived yesterday for a holiday and brought the case along. Some rust on the metal handles are already showing up (this case is about 10yrs old). The foams inside had to be taken out as it's already turned crunchy. Hmm...won't be difficult to recondition this...

Only missing in the family is my big'o rock ride cymbal which is still on loan to brother Mark's friend (I wonder if the borrower still intends to return it. Its kinda sentimental, 'twas given to me as a graduation present). I should thank Celes too for bringing my cymbals here a year ago. Thanks dude, still owe you the extra pounds!It would be pretentious, to bring such a big case with humble cymbals in it in a gig. I might settle for platic bags still until bigger cymbals come into acquisitions. So for the sunday's gig it might just stay at home.

EK!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Dahon at Aposento '05

Watch my younger brother Mark play bass with his band Dahon. Their lady drummer's using my red musicmate drumkit (except for her own snare). The place is called Aposento Restaurant, at the base of Manhattan Square Condominium (one of Megaworld's project where me and my wife previously worked at, it was still under construction back then) in Makati. The place is restaurant by day and yuppies chillout bar at night. Bands needed to bring their own equipments, only the PA system is provided.

Part-2
Part-3

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

See you all back tomorrow!

Wish we could have joined you but Eve's still recuperating and I'm rushing for deadlines. Anyways see you all back in SG tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Photo Essay


The day has ended, I'll play again tomorrow.

Attack of the clones

Time to wake up...time for lunch

Who shrunk the donuts?

I thought only Big Macs and Quarter Pounders have shrunked over the years. 8yrs ago these donuts were double its current size: Thanks mom for granting Stefi's wishes! This time we didn't have to queue at Raffles City basement's donut shop. Dunkin's still the best!

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

A New Paint Job?

The most sought after tennis racket in Singapore has been revamped with a paintjob. It even looks head-bigger than the previous "nCode six one tour" model. While Robert and Pat whine about it, we'll see tonight if this revamped look is still Fed-Ex's magic wand on his road to defend his crown at the Australian Open. The challenger--Andy Roddick.

Prior to AusOpen Andy's beaten Roger at the Kooyong Classic Invitation. Must be luck? Yes 'coz grandslam is just another story, and Fed-ex just won't loose on this. So in my opinion, this semi-final will be the end of the road for Andy. My prediction: Federer to meet Gonzales (who just beaten Nadal) in the finals.

MOSAIC 2007 PICKS!


In the world of sessionist jazz musicians, anyone who has session-played with Chik Corea is considered a class-performer. I have seen Akira Jimbo (former Chik drummer) and really marveled his skills. I'll do what it takes to find my way into this show.
It's a pity she's abandoned her 'cradle.' Barbie's Cradle songs were like Bamboo's with unconventional grooves. When I was in Manila back Nov 2005, the first time I heard a BC song was a rockin "feel-good for the drummer" song. I never thought a year after that I'd be sessioning with Launchbox and Backwater playing the song Independence Day. I felt good indeed. We'll see if her charisma alone will be good enough to pull off this acoustic gig. Will she rock? Let's find out...

Friday, January 12, 2007

What's that song on the radio?

Did it ever occured to you, in the middle of something at work the radio plays a catchy tune, then you started wondering what's the title and the artist? If only you knew it then it'd be easier to get it from your favorite online music store or download site? Here in Singapore, Class 95FM has a website feature where you can check every song's title/artist being aired. You have to be fast though because soon as the song stopped, the info's changed to the next song and there's no way to track it back. The next song in queue though is also posted. Cool ya dunchatink?

This afternoon one old song's catched my attention, 'Fastball - Out Of My Head.' Happy listening!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

From Virtual to Reality

I feel priviledged to have worked with colleagues Bong and Quianling and WOHA Architects (the best arch'l firm in SG), on this. Here's just a mock-up model unit, abt 40% in progress:

Now here's my 3d rendition, about a year and a half ago:

Above image was also featured in Autodesk's website,(VMW - pdf, 192kb). Above is just one of the many marketing visuals created for www.alilahotels.com by VMW (Singapore's best Arch'l. Media Firm).

What Happened to the X-mas Tree?


The trees are gone for now, but those decor mirror balls have become a common desktop item in our office recently. Peeps in the 3d industry knows why, its a tool for creating HDRI images.


No tks, I don't need another mirror yet.
Tech Resource: Dig deeper and learn about creating HDRI's here, from the father of HDRI himself, Paul Debevec:

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Daniel Libeskind in Singapore

Here's one 2006 project worth cherishing:

Iconic condo development promises to put Singapore waterfront living on world map
4 January to 15 January 2007

The Singapore Art Museum, in association with Keppel Land, will present an exhibition of architectural prints, renderings and drawings of the works of New York-based master architect, Daniel Libeskind.

other article/s here:
Keppel unveils spectacular seafront homes in architect Daniel Libeskind’s first Asian residential show piece

Pirelli Calendar


Does anyone still post calendar on their walls nowadays? Thanks to technology, gone are the year-ends where people beg for free calendar from their favourite stores. Most have access to computers, PDA's and mobile phones with built-in calendars to keep them organized. So who still needs printed calendars? I guess the good old desktop flip types will still be there but those wall mounted ones are already fading or maybe not in the countryside. One particular calendar that won't go obsolete for me is the Pirelli Calendar. What's interesting about this is not the calendar itself, but the images created from shear artistry in the field of photography. Its not literally about the 'calendar,' so to speak.

Here's a wiki entry if you wanna dig more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirelli_Calendar

If you're not a VIP or corporate Pirelli customer, just go to this link (my compliment):
http://www.pirellical.com/thecal/calendar.html

Show Respect


I'm not a die hard blues fan but I admit I like 'some' of his songs.

Change The World - I think this is one of the songs that triggered the 'acoustic bands' rennaisance in Manila. When Side-A was just becoming popular, this was 'a must' song in all the gigs that I watched them.

Sunshine of Your Love - Remember Arnold Z's 'Last Action Hero?' That soundtrack was one of the most influencial tunes that inpired me to become a drummer, though I don't know who the dummer was hehe.

Would I spend $85-400 to watch his concert? Nah, I'd rather save it for a Joe Satriani gig. But when?