This is me folks!

Michael Aldridge BSc(Hons)

UPDATE - pushing this post back to the top to add that I have since graduated with a First Class Honours in Digital Media Development.  So I’m now Michael Aldridge BSc(Hons)… and about time too!

Well, work has begun, if only in a small way, to my portfolio site.  At some point very soon, www.glidepro.net will actually have something on it rather than simply directing you here to my blog!

Before giving you a nice list of links to my work I guess I could list the applications that I have experience of (some more than others!)

• Flash, which includes both AS2 and AS3.  Furthermore to this I can implement Papervision3D (to allow real-time 3D rendering in Flash), WiiFlashServer (to allow Flash applications to accept input from a Nintendo Wii Remote) and Popforge (a real-time audio engine allowing sound to be generated from scratch and/or process sound files etc).  I am also learning the ins and outs of the FLARtoolkit, that allows ‘augmented reality’ applications to be developed within Flash.
• Flex, programming in AS3.  I am currently learning how this environment works, but it’s quite easy to get to grips with!  Within the Flex environment it’s possible to implement all the classes mentioned above (Papervision3D, WiiFlashServer and Popforge).  In the case of Papervision3D, there are some features that would otherwise be very long-winded to program in Flash that are very easy to accomplish in Flex.  Plus it means it’s possible to run the code from the library’s creators, such as the rather clever Seb Lee-Delisle.
• Dreamweaver, using HTML/CSS to create pretty websites.  I use the 960.gs grid-system to lay out my latest sites as it lets you produce browser compliant site with tidy layouts.  Pretty much speaks for itself really.  Dreamweaver is my last stop between my graphical/Flash content and my FTP application.
• Photoshop.  Again, enough said!  Pretty much every time I use this application, I’m doing something different and learning something new.  In theory I can only get better…
• Premiere, capturing video via iLink/IEEE1394, editing, exporting and authoring DVD content using the bundled Encore.
• After Effects, editing content, key-framing effects and exporting for DVD or web distribution.  As with Photoshop, my experience and knowledge of this application grows everytime I open it.
• Adobe Media Encoder, encoding video for Flash applications.  OK, this may not strictly count as a fully fledged application, however this has recently been my most-used tool!  I have gained a knowledge of converting video, selecting suitable bitrates dependent on the content etc.
• Autodesk 3dsMax 2009, I don’t think the versions differ too much except that each version’s files are annoyingly NOT backward compatible! I can model fairly complex meshes, however my forte with this application lies in picking materials and editing said materials within Photoshop.  As with Director MX mentioned below, it’s possible to place objects in 3dsMax under the control of the Reactor/Havok physics engine, to compliment the standard key-framing approach.
• Macromedia Director MX.  Not the most obvious application to admit having skills in you may say.  Well, I’ve used this application to make a fully interactive 3D application that implements the highly popular Havok physics engine to make objects move in a believable manner.  I have learnt a lot about the programming language Lingo.  Most importantly, I have gained an appreciation of how to code objects in a 3D space.  In a similar manner to Flash, I have also implemented the ability to allow control from a Wii Remote.
• PHP/MySQL, listed last as it WILL be on my skill list by the end of the summer, so this is here to remind me…!
• Other – software or standards.  SVN, FTP, (some!) SSH.
• Sound/MIDI  sequencing/editing software.  I have a BTEC diploma in Music Technology and have been using computers to produce music for upwards of 10 years all the back to Windows 3.1!  I have played the piano on and off for the last 18 years, and have gained Grade 6.  I can also roughly(!) play the saxophone.

I don’t think there’s anything I’ve missed.  If anyone out there knows me better than I do then give me a nudge!

Right, onto the examples.  They aren’t in any particular order at the moment, and their descriptions are a bit ropey, but you’ll get the idea until I update them…
Wii Remote controlled Drum Machine (created in Flash using AS3) –
http://glidepro.net/blog/2009/04/swiing-playtime/
The application is called ‘Swiing’ (same name as my blog) and was programmed as a competition entry to ‘Codeo’, a programming competition for university students run by Cogapp in Brighton.  The application won the prize for that particular month’s competition.  The video shows the employees of Cogapp having a play with it.  I promise that it’s possible to get proper drum rhythms out of it with a bit of practice!
To see the application in action visit: http://glidepro.net/blog/2009/03/swiing-wins-cogapps-coding-competition/ although you will need a Wii Remote connected to your computers over Bluetooth to see anything work.

Flash game
http://glidepro.net/flash_coursework1.swf
Use the arrow keys to move around and CTRL to ‘attack’.  The final version of the game is currently being graded, so a previous version is shown here to demonstrate the maths behind ‘walking into the line of sight’ of your enemies etc.

Surfer Bunny (3D world created in Macromedia Director implementing the Havok physics engine), 29MB to download
http://glidepro.net/surfer_bunny.exe
The original idea was just to simulate physics in a 3D world but I took it a step further and made a mini-game out of it.  The more rings you collect, the higher you can jump therefore being able to reach different places.  This work was graded at 80%.

Webcam motion detect example (created in Flash) –
http://glidepro.net/motiondiff_3.swf
Waving your hand over the glowing dots on your picture will trigger a musical note.  It’s possible to play some rudimentary tunes.

Synthesizer/sequencer made using Andre Michelle’s Popforge library with a shameless inclusion of  a Papervision3D visualisation-
http://www.glidepro.net/synth5
(Warning: perhaps turn down your speakers before clicking the link)

That’s it!  I’ll be back with more (and better described) examples soon…

Michael

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