Video of interactive 3D projects
While going through some of the recent interactive 3D work I produced, I thought it would be nice to create a video showcase. I also wanted to explore the workflow for capturing and editing these flash projects in action. Music is by Danger.
The STC Logo re-created using only AS3
This project is (so far) the most complex implementation using Away3D I had to develop. It is used to display the visual portfolio of STC Associates on the new site.
The application includes an extensive configuration and all the data for galleries via external XML files.
It includes re-creating the logo in code at run-time. Using AS3DMod, I was able to dynamically deform the cube to match STC’s logo. Adding a Perlin noise over time creates a nice wave animation that brings the whole thing to life. The logo becomes the gateway to the various projects and the central interactive element.
I made extensive use of Away3D’s Object3DContainer to create a smooth animated carousel to display the projects. Including a flip to show galleries.
The latest revision can be viewed here.
I am not too happy with the way the final integration was done, you can view the live version on the STC site here. Some of the sections are empty while others have too many items. I think I also gave too much control in the configuration XML!
Results of the Quiz
As part of a global brand awareness campaign, I was tasked with developing a flash quiz for TATA Communications. To spice things up we agreed to use Away3D to render the questions and results and make this a richer and more entertaining experience. I also added Javascript interfaces to integrate with Google Analytics and back-end answers collection.
Visit the New World Ready site or Take the quiz!
Frame from the 3D animation
Originally part of an interactive flash piece for the Managed Hosting Service micro-site, I was asked to create 4 animations to illustrate various concepts around the service. I extended a 2D mock-up, created by Dave Huffman at STC, using server racks of various sizes to show scale. From there I created the 3 other visual renderings.
You can view both original mock-ups and final renderings in the video below.
Tokyo Starfish likes Chad...
Happy Birthday Chadster!
Chad and I have been trying to create his site for a looooooong time. I know we will eventually get it done… In the mean time I wanted to post some of the beta tests:
Old Beta: AS2. Neat little slide mechanism for the sections.
Latest Beta: AS3, Away3D…
Homepage 3D Flash
I have been working with Dave, Art Director at STC, for over 9 years. So by now we more or less share one brain. For the knappogue homepage he showed me a sketch via webcam and I knew what where we were heading. 3D Baby! And what is even better then 3D modeling/rendering? Real time interactive 3D. Now that’s magic. Ever since Flash 5 human beings have been doing 3D flash content, although at times more 3Dish. But with Flash 9 & AS3, faster CPUs and open source APIs like PV3D or Away3D it has become a new avenue for designer/developers like me. For this particular case I used Away3D. Main reasons: clean API, easy to extend and straight forward mouse interactions. The concept is simple: a fold out postcard set. Its all custom built. I had to dig deep inside the API to get it where I needed.
Check out the 3D postcards (after the age verification)
Project details:
Special thanks to Rob and the Away3D team.
PS: Can someone (Jorge or Andrew) implement the latest version of the flash… It has a way cooler intro animation, proper preload display and many tweaks… 
3D Stacks created in Illustrator...
Aside being the resident Flash & Map guy at STC, one of my main task was business illustrations… Cleaning up Powerpoint Illustrations to make them shiny and pretty. I actually started doing all the re-makes in Illustrator and gradually extracted icons and elements to use directly in Powerpoint. I tried as much as possible to add depth to otherwise pretty borring stuff. Illustrator’s 3D capability was a huge time saver.
I helped develop an icon library that is still used to quickly create illustrations. Using vector art allowed us to use illustrations for print, web, PDF and Powerpoint distribution. It also allowed me to quickly port items or entire illustrations to flash for animation.
Below are samples of some of VSNL International’s illustrations (now TATA Communications) I created.
2007 Holiday card
Every year, like clockwork, someone at STC realizes its December and we need a holiday card. For the past 3 years we actually had time (meaning 3 to 5 days) to produce some nice interactive versions.
In 2005 we created a little match game.
In 2006 I applied the concept developed for print of making new faces from cutouts of the STC employees headshots.
For 2007 I just developed an interactive 3D version of the printed card. The card was a cube with the top and bottom open. Inside were everyone’s at STC signature. Outside were the employees making the letters of the card’s words… Hard to explain, just check out the actual flash 
This last one was my first serious project using PV3D (Papervision). It also uses some of the new AS3 APIs like sound spectrum. Aside a few annoyances of Flash 9, a fun project.
Closup of the 3D render...
It was nice to walk into the Singapore office of then VSNL International and seeing the wallpaper I had designed on everyone’s desktop…
I actually don’t like to have a background (other then a solid grey or black on my desktop(s)) but clients love them. They help remind people who they work for and/or that they are on the wrong floor or wrong office. Just kidding. When rolling out a new brand it’s a good way to surprise people. IT can update everyone’s desktop overnight.
Introducing the iCock, iCock Mini, etc...
Just a little bit of fun around the introduction of the iPod. I followed the apple product releases of that time (2004/2005). These creations were modeled and rendered in Lightwave.
