~ Red Praises ~

 

 

What would we be without each other? Here you can read praises made by and made for CodeBastard "Codie" Redgrave, citizen of the SecondLife metaverse. Vanity? Maby a little. But it's not about bragging. It's about all those marvelous people that surrounds me. It is a praise to them, their caring, thoughtfulness, talent and beauty. I just love you all.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sun May 17

Class given on 17/05/2009: FilterCam: creating your own filters (take 2)

  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This class is called FilterCam: how to create your own filters
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It is an advanced class but i will do my best to make it easy for you to understand
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Before we begin, let me just give you a short preview of what FilterCam can actually do
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Please watch this short video that explains it better than words: http://vimeo.com/3401209
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, as you can probably see, FilterCam is what it states: a special effect filter for your SecondLife camera
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It is very easy to use even for beginners.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: You just wear it, and click a long click (one second) to pop up a menu that shows presets you can select.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: A short click will minimize/maximize the HUD so you can get it out of your way, mainly for camming.
  • Feathers Boa: does it have settings for resolution or is that set in the SL menu?
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This is what it looks like when attached. You will see a little dialog going telling you what it's doing. Be patient, since it reads from a notecard, it can take up to 40 seconds to load all presets.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It does Feathers, in fact, it doesn't matter. You only need to know if your screen is Normal ratio (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9)
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: The HUD will stretch full screen on it's own.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: As I said, short click will make it collapse in the corner, and expand back if clicked again.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: A long click will make this menu appear
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This menu could not be more simple.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: In there you have 65 of what we call Presets
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Presets are simply special effects. Click on one of them after navigating, and voila, it will effect on your whole screen!
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, as you can see, it is pretty easy even for beginners.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: The only thing you need to remember, is to check the "Show HUD Objects on snapshots" in your Snapshot dialog.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Or else, well, your filter won't show on your pictures, and that's kind of the point of the whole thing.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: But thing is, for advanced users, and especially if you can Photoshop, FilterCam can become an incredibly creative tool, since you can make your own presets!
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, let's get a bit more technical. What makes FilterCam more special than slapping a prim on your HUD and putting a transparent texture on it?
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: First thing is FilterCam is not one, but 4 layers of filtering in the same device.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: FilterCam is made with 4 prims, superimposed on your screen.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Each prim, or let's call them "layers", have their own fine control tunings.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: You could have 4 texture masks, of 4 different colors, all "merging" or "overlaying" together, to add up for a special effect.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, to be able to tune every layer, there is 2 chat commands that you can use. The first command, "filter", plays on the layers properties, like color, and transparency.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: The second command "mask" applies any texture mask contained within the HUD onto any layer.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, combined together, those 2 commands can allow you to fine tune the 4 layers together.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: FilterCam operates on channel 5 by default. So every chat command starts with /5. You can totally change that (see documentations for the /5channel command)
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: First command: filters
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Let's examine it closer. Don't be afraid, once you understand it, it's not that complicated at all.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: I told you we have 4 layers total. They are numbered from 0 to 3 inclusively.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: 0,1,2,3 = 4 layers total
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Everytime we do an action on a layer, we must use it's identification number from 0 to 3.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: If we check on the board, we see the /5filter command have a few arguments, all listed in order.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: First argument is the layer #, as I just stated. From 0 to 3.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: the second argument is the color of the layer. it can be an english word color (red) or a vector <1,0,0>
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: the third argument, is the transparency. or alpha. the smaller the number, the more opaque it will be. 0 is opaque, 1 is completely transparent. 0.5 is half transparent.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: and the fourth argument is much less used, it did much more effect with the older viewers. today, it doesn't change much. its the Glow setting. it should almost always be 0.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, as an example: /5filter 0 red 0.1 0
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Would take your very first layer (0) and put it red, with 0.1 transparency, and 0 glow.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: And you can do that for your 4 layers. /5filter 1 blue 0.1 0
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Then /5filter 2 yellow 0.1 0
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Then /5filter 3 black 0.1 0
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Voila, we altered our 4 layers.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So all of those colors, red, blue, yellow and black, will mix together and overlay your whole screen.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Now, things will get interesting. What about texture masks?
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: The second layer alteration command is called "mask".
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: A mask or texture mask is simply a semi transparent texture.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It can be ANYTHING your imagination commands.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: With semi or fully transparent parts on a texture, it will overlay your whole screen, and parts of what you see will peek through it.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: As for the rest, you can alter the texture mask on ANY of the 4 layers, or ALL 4 layers if you want it!
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So you could make 4 completely different textures, and merge them on your screen using the "mask" command.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It is simpler than the "filter" command and takes only 2 arguments.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: First argument, is the layer number again. Again, from 0 to 3.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Note that you can BOTH apply "filter" and "mask" on the same layer! That is kind of the point.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: You could use your "filter" command to make the layer red, and therefore use white mask, and the mask would turn out reddish in the end.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Our second argument to the mask command is simply the exact, case sensitive name for the texture mask contained in the HUD's inventory.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: If you edit your FilterCam HUD, you will notice you have 42 pre-made texture masks, provided to you free of charge.
  • Explorer Dastardly: ? is it wiser to always use a transparency mask in the middle layer
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: You can create and add any mask you want by simply dropping the texture in the HUD's invent.
  • Explorer Dastardly: ok
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It doesn't change much Explorer, apart the order is visually important.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It just depends on what effect you want exactly, since they ARE in order. Layer 0 is the closer to you. Layer 3 is the most "distant". So if you put something on Layer 3, and then Layer 0, the one on Layer 0 have "priority" on your visuals,
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: but if they are half transparent, both will "merge" together nicely.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So for example: /5mask 0 cinema
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: "cinema" is one of the first FilterCam masks, it is those simple cinematic black bars on the top and bottom of your screen.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: To give that kind of "widescreen" theater effect.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: One can, for example, do: /5mask 1 scanlines
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Combined together, this will give you a "widescreen TV" effect.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Scanlines are like subtle TV lines, like when you stick your face in an old TV, you will see the lines. Same thing.
  • Feathers Boa: so this helps with composition and framing shots
  • Feathers Boa: instead of having to do it all in post?
  • Explorer Dastardly: and the zooming control
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Oh, yes. You have a bundle of framing effects, like Tryptich, or Square, or even Cinema, that will help you.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Furthermore, I created a Rule Of Thirds mask!
  • [10: 01] Feathers Boa shows that she is smarter than she looks
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: In your menu, it's called Rule Of 3
  • Explorer Dastardly: yes
  • Explorer Dastardly: the rule of 1/3
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This is a special mask for photographers, that allows you to calculate your rule of thirds, for much better framing and compo
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Exactly, Explorer =)
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: I thought photographers would appreciate that kind of thing.
  • Explorer Dastardly: I do
  • Winter Wardhani: you thought well :)
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, that's it, you can do that for all 4 layers for making very complex and advanced special effects.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So. Let's say you went crazy. You altered your 4 layers with both the "filter" and "mask" commands.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Well, you are one step close to create your own preset.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This is the "dump" command. It is what makes it easy to create your own presets and even share them easily with friends.
  • Explorer Dastardly: what about creating a sepia tone
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This command has no arguments. You just do: /5dump
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: (there is a sepia effect in the HUD already)
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: What the "dump" command does?
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: The dump command "dumps" ALL of your layer settings in one single string of parameters.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: If you observe the result, you will notice that it is just all of our 4 layers, and all parameters for them, including the mask.
  • Feathers Boa: nice!
  • [10: 06] Winter Wardhani nods
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Thing is, you do not need to understand the exact syntax, but it is fairly easy.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: What is important is that you can Copy/Paste this string to create your own preset!
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: To do that, once you copied that string in your buffer, you need to Edit the HUD to check on it's inventory.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This is what the FilterCam inventory looks like. You will notice a bunch of textures, scripts. But the first item will always be the "_preset" notecard. This is what we are interested in.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Double click on the notecard to edit it, of course.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: This is what the Preset notecard looks like. This list is a list of ALL presets contained within FilterCam.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: One line per preset.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: You will surely recognize the infamous "dump" strings we just talked about and copied in our copy buffer.
  • [10: 09] Feathers Boa nods
  • [10: 09] Winter Wardhani nods
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: The only thing to know is that we also need to give a name to the preset.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Here is how it works. On the same line, you need to enter a Preset name. Then a pipe symbol ( | ). Then, your dump string.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Preset names must be unique in the notecard. Preset names cannot exceed 12 characters. Those are the only limitations.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So let's say I want to create a new preset called "Sunny".
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: I would start by creating a new line in the notecard.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Then I would type Sunny followed by a pipe. Like: Sunny|
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Then, I would just paste my dump string at the end. Like:
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Sunny|0 white 1 0 haze 1 black 0 0 none 2 black 0 0 none 3 black 0 0 none
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Save the notecard. Et voila! FilterCam will reset, and load your new preset. At this point, it will always show in your FilterCam preset menu from now on.
  • Winter Wardhani: seems quite easy
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: It is no more complicated than that.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, of course, the lil creators you are can make transparent textures in Photoshop.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Upload them inworld, then drop the texture in the HUD's inventory.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: You are then ready to play with the "mask" and "filter" commands to create your new preset.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Then, dump it, and add it to the _preset notecard as we just talked about.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: You can of course combine your own masks with pre-existing masks, giving you more possibilities.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: The aspect ratio of the textures is important.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Remember that most textures you can upload will be 1024x1024 in the end.
  • Explorer Dastardly: 75 res?
  • Feathers Boa: 72
  • Feathers Boa: dpi
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So you will need to "compress" or resize the texture from Photoshop, so it doesn't look stretched once applied to a full screen.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: yes it is always screen resolution Explorer
  • Feathers Boa: PNG's work really well now i like em better than TGA
  • Explorer Dastardly: what about in Fireworks?
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: PNGs or TGA are both fine. As long as you can make a proper alpha channel.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Fireworks works too, as any decent graphic design program that allows transparencies.
  • Feathers Boa: Gimp too
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Absolutely!
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: They are totally standard textures. When making them, again, just remember that they will be stretched to fit your screen.
  • Explorer Dastardly: my nemisis, alpha, lol.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So you may want to work at full screen resolution in your graphic program, then in the end resize the whole thing to 1024x1024 before exporting it.
  • Feathers Boa: i love alphas!
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: Alphas are cool when you get them. Unfortunately I cannot give a full class on transparency, but it is fairly easy to learn with a few tutorials.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: So, in conclusion, I designed FilterCam as a fully modifiable creativity tool. You can create masks, contribute them so I add them in the next version. We plan to have a way to actually share those online in the future.
  • CodeBastard Redgrave: I hope you enjoyed the class, if you have any question please do not hesitate.