Thursday 10th November - Nightmare Changes!

After meeting with Rob it has come to both of our attention that my project was running extremely slow, so i have take a selection of steps to improve this including:

   Running the entire patch from one main bpatcher, eliminating the use of uneccersary strain on the computers processers by simply allow max msp to "offset" what it is veiwing, meening that everything is shown in one long line and just browsed through left and write.

 Designed a new glow system - simply replaced the counter and metro with a line object, again creating less work for the computer. I also edited the glow so that the file which is glowing only goes down to 30 percent allowing to "pulse" rather than fade in and out.

These changes shouldn't be too difficult, although it does meen total re-design of max msp patch, i have added previews of the most current version as a pictures below
 This is the users view of the hompage ( left ) when clarkes shop is selected the patch simply moves to the right displaying clarkes shop!

 This is a verion of these screens in presentaton mode of patching

And below is an example of some of the programming needed for this

Finished Version of The Lost Fairy Charms Complete ! Wednesday 16th November

its been a tough 48 hours since we recieved constructive criticism from both the staff at the rotunda, but also rob and mark themselves but we are pleased to report that EVERY suggestion made on monday has been changed. 

This includes implementing the reset system ( show below although very messy it works! )

The finalised Map system ( Again below, much tidier programming )

 The final audio patch ( the top two screens are examples of the programming window, the bottom one is what the mesuem can get onto by pressing esc and - )

After 4 hours of de-bugging i have ensured that the installation runs smoothly, and after trying to crash the system by pressing loads of things at once it also still ran just as well, concluding that this project was a success!

Updates - Monday 14th November

After presenting the final version at the rotunda meusuem it became apparent that we would need to change a number of things, unfortunately largely involving the programming side of things.

These changes consisted off :

    - New Audio -
    - New commentary audio  (more instructive about what to do)
    - New sound effects ( Ambient noise in the game, clicking on objects the user would expect to make a  noise such as the mouse in the shop
    
     - New G.U.I designs -
     - Removed find the charms from the homepage, and added instructive text so that the user HAS to visit clarkes shop to continue the installation. 
     - Simplified help screens.
     - A reset button has been embeded into find the charms, allowing the user to restart the game whenever they wish.
     - More text has been added in a selection of places including Clarkes shop and Find The Charms

     - New System Designs - 
     - Final version of the audio mixer, complete with save functions to be installed for the meusuems use.
     - Writing an entire new map system to embed the reset options into
     - Removing some sections of the installation which were deemed un-neccersary, although added originally too increase interactivity. 
     - Re patch some objects to increase performance within the installation

Finished - Rob Prince

My work is finally complete! The last of the design work has been implemented. That was one tight deadline! Good luck everyone, lets hope for a successful week and a big thanks to my group mates James & Joe for being a great set of guys to work with!

Update - James Stephenson

I have worked on the project all evening yesterday and this morning. I have got all of the required items done from my prevous blog and I am sending all of these through to Joe to finalise that I dont have any more to do.

Update - James Stephenson

After the presentations this morning we got some really good feedback that we are taking into concideration for the final deadline on wednesday.

Personally on my side of things, the feedback was good and helpfull to me. These are the things that I am going to be changing / working on tonight and tomorrow;

Main Screen

• ·      Look at the audio files to make sure they are right

Clark’s shop

• ·      Get some sound effects (mouse, cat, cow, bottles, fish tank)
• ·      Edit new audio (entering and re entering shop)
• ·      Record table top vocal

Game

• ·      Entering location sound, (old game music)
• ·      correct sound, (old game music with spoken word)
• ·      wrong sound, (old game music with spoken word)

·   

Other

• ·      List of ques for sounds, screen by screen.

II will do an update when I have completed all of the above tonight and early tomorrow.

Update - James Stephenson

I have met up a few times with Joe in the research studio at uni to work on the project. We have the patch running well however there are things that need to be sorted before the deadline on monday. We worked on things such as;

• Making all of the buttons consistent and in the same place on each page
• Made it so all of the ubuttons and clicable icons were sent to the right patch to open.
• etc

I am confident we will get all of the work done in time.

More Design Stuff - Rob Prince

Update - James Stephenson

All of the audio files that i have been able to record are now up on my soundcloud for you to listen to

the links are

http://soundcloud.com/jaymole/sets/interactive-tech-voice-overs-2/

http://soundcloud.com/jaymole/sets/interactive-tech-voice-overs/

however for these I have only been able to record Male voices, I did have some women organised to come into record some voice overs however they did not turn up to the session.

Map Selection Screen - Finished

This is an image of the map selection screen, although noted that this could have been done with offsets, I created this system first, and it runs at EXACTLY the same speed as sending the offset message, and required only a touch more work. I also created this as an easy to understand way for any of the team that i am working with to be able to edit the patch

All of the colour boxes will be replaced with the correct image of each location, and this is will appear on screen a as the top of the map. This has been tested, and is working!

Update - James Stephenson

I have eventually been able to upload the audio clips onto soundcloud for you listening.

The URL is

http://soundcloud.com/jaymole/sets/interactive-tech-voice-overs

Location Example - Rob Prince

I have been developing the images and design work for each location. Here is an example of both screens for one of the locations. I didn’t want to duplicate the same image over both screens; therefore on the top screen I have created a fairy-like version of the same picture. I also ensured the aspect ratios for each screen image was correct.

On the bottom screen you can see we have a glowing object, in this case a person, which triggers a question or folklore story in that particular location.

Update - James Stephenson

I am having some problems putting the sounds back onto soundcould, i realised that the ones that were up were the old ones that needed re recording.

Also I have just met up with Joe at my place to go over the information I researched for the locations. I am also having problems emailing the documents to Joe and Rob.

I will keep working on these problems to get them sorted for everyone.

Design Update - Rob Prince

Clarkes Shop - Completed. Any change requests need to be made before Thursday Night...

Update - James Stephenson

All of the audio sounds that we are going to use for the interactive are now on my soundcloud. To remind you here is the URL;

http://soundcloud.com/jaymole/sets/interactive-tech-voice-overs

I will be putting 4-6 more welcome to location and a have you been here before location clip up when I have recorded and mixed them tomorrow

Audio Patch Complete, Working And Tidy

 The Patcher Above shows each receive object, which are all labelled in a text document aswell. Each file which is called open at the moment will be replaced with the correct name, and the delay attached to the toggle switch ensures that each one plays when required. The only message to still be added is a universal close message, which will ensure that each audio file that is required to stop will be stopped at the correct time. This Version of the patch works fine, and stops and plays the audio correctly, this extra close will just secure the system to make sure that the closes are timed correctly.

The patcher below shows the view of the audio patch if it is opened to edit, allowing us to simplify the process of mixing audio volumes between each vocal and ambient noise.

Update - James Stephenson

I have re recorded, edited, and mixed the voice over parts that were needed to be re done. These will be posted up on my soundcloud again soon for Rob and Joe to download to put into the patch and videos.

I have also been asked by Rob to look for some fonts for the informative locations. This is so the charm information font is not the same as folk law story information. I will be sending him the word document asap so he can view it as he pleases.

After revieving the recorded parts I feel I need to record 2 or more voice overs for when the user enters a location. I will be doing these in the next 2 days and they also will be posted up on my soundcloud to download etc

Also myself and Joe have decided to meet up tonight to go over the information and make sure everything is correct so put into our installation.

Audio Patcher - Joe White

Now that the entire patch is working, and completely navigatable by the user. I am currently building a patch to ensure that all of the audio is played in the correct places, at the correct time ensuring maximum performance and minimum latency to ease of the computers processor a little bit. This post will follow with an image when I have completed it !

Update - James Stephenson

I have took off the audio files that were on my soundcloud. This is because  I am re recording them so they sound better and more clear to understand. Therefor this Wednesday I have booked a slot to record at the university. Also I will be gathering the same people as the previous recordings to keep the continuity. However I will be asking about to make it so we have a mix of accents and voices.

Update - James Stephenson

In the lecture this morning we presented our project again and we had done a lot of improvements to what we had last week. Personally I believe that our project has came on a good way during the week however there still was no audio or video in the project.

The feedback we got when we presented the project was;

• Have HELP under the help button.
• The picture and button for the main menu in Clark's shop needs to be high resolution and to the correct size.
• Make the help button circular in Clark's shop.
• In Clark's shop, have fishing tackle and other object on shelves to make it more like a shop.
• Have labels underneath clickable objects.
• Move the map a bit down so we can try to keep the buttons in the same place on each page for continuity.
• Possibly re record some of the voice overs because they sound quick and they are hard to understand.

We will be working on these during this week for the deadline next week. Personally I will be giving all of the information to Rob Prince so he can make the font right and make a good image to put into the project. Also i will be re recording some of the voice overs to make them better to understand and so they are not quick.

Recording update - James Stephenson

To help this is the full URL for the audio files

http://soundcloud.com/jaymole/sets/interactive-technology-voice

Please let me know if you are having trouble with listening to the clips

Recording update - James Stephenson

Right now I have finished recording the audio files and i have edited them and I have also exported the files too.

Initially I recorded the entire script with 3-4 different people (3 guys and one woman). However after listening to the takes I personally don't believe that some of the files fit with what we are trying to do. This is because the accents of some of the performers were too strong to fit in with the local feel we are trying to achieve.

However I will try and get some more actors in to record their voices so we can get more of a local feel and also make it so our project does not segregate. (If that is the right word).

However as promised I will attach a few audio files to show our progress.

However I am struggling for this so I will put them onto my soundcloud so you can hear what I have got. It is http://soundcloud.com/jaymole

Recording update - James Stephenson

I have recorded the voice overs that we will be using for our project in the Recording Studios this afternoon.

I used a few different people from my PACT module Group. These include a few different accents and a female voice. I chose a female voice to use when the user enters a location. I also designated one person to be Clark and gave him the lines for when Clark is talking.

I will post some examples up on the blog once I have finished editing them and chose the best versions.

More Art/Video - Rob Prince

Just thought I'd share with you the montage video that will be looping whilst on the main screen.

Clarkes Shop:

Here is a prototype of one of the charm photographs which are on a table in Clarkes shop. (Photographs are all Clarke has left after the charms were lost/stolen).

This is a colour/polaroid style design which might not be reprensentative of the era, therefore a black and white image may replace this...

More Progress - Rob Prince

The prototype video promised in the previous post has unfortunately been delayed due to technical difficulties and software complications. However in better news, a lot of work has been done on the various displays for Screen A (TV Screen). Alternative backdrop images and montage videos have been created and exported at the correct resolution.  For example, while the user is browsing Clarkes shop on the navigation touch screen, an alternate image is displayed on Screen A (TV). Originally the screens were going to be duplicated but this would be less interesting for the user. I have therefore edited a photo of Clarkes actual shop for Screen A (this is a continuation in our bid to keep the installation authentic to Scarborough).

The decision to lower the map grid size was also made today on the phone to Joe. This brings the number of available locations down to 12 rather than 28! This should be much more manageable and more importantly, achievable.

Progress - Rob Prince

I have spent my evening re-interfacing and programming our installation patch so that it now uses BPatcher objects. This should conqueror the problems encountered in the prototype demonstration this morning. I have also set up a Rotunda/Research Studio setup in my bedroom (using a monitor and large HDTV) so that work can be continued throughout the week from home. I will upload a video showing the progression of prototype tomorrow. Onwards and upwards!

Update - James Stephenson

This is the content that I have gathered so far;

We are using 4 charms in our installation and these are;

Arrow Head - Prehistoric flint arrowheads were thought to be fairy arrows and an inexplicable small wound on the body might be described as elf-shot.

Holed Stone - Holey stones were hung on fruit trees to protect the fruit from the pixies (Somersetshire). Also in Ireland they are tied to the horns of cows to stop the fairies stealing the milk. And protect the cattle.

Pony Shoe – Pony shoes were hung above the doors of barns and sheds because fairies cant get past iron. This would then protect the ponies from fairies running them to exhaustion and dying.

Fairy Loaf - It is said that families who kept fairy loaves in their houses could ensure they would always have bread.

The fairy loaf in Suffolk was also called pharisee-loaf which at some point became facy-loaf

I have also researched some local information (below). These will be used in our informative locations in the expedition / game aspect of our installation.

The Anglo-Saxon word elf was used to describe all fairies but over time it became a name for a specific type of fairy. Elves were very small and could change their shape. They lived in hollow logs or prehistoric barrows and could be both helpful and harmful.

Fairies would steal human babies and leave a fairy baby or changeling in its place. The human babies might be returned many years later still children when their families have grown old and died.

In the West Riding of Yorkshire a child was kept safe from witches and fairies while sleeping by hanging a carving knife from the head of the cradle with the point suspended near the infant’s face.

I am also writing a script for voice overs in each location and in the main menu's. (Below)

Entrance Video

Welcome to the lost fairy charms, can you help Clark re-find the ones that he has lost.

Introduction screen

The Fairy Charms were a vital part of the people of north yorkshires lives by protecting farmers and helping the villagers.

Main Menu Clicking nothing

You need to click on a glowing icon to continue.

Clarks Shop

Welcome to my shop, some fairies have stolen a few of my charms. Click on the table to view the charms and receive more information to use in the expedition.

Clock

Ah I see you have selected my timeline. Click on a date to see what I did.

Charm Cabinet

Click on the cabinet to view the charms you have retrieved and remind yourself the properties of these.

Game

Welcome to this expedition. Use the navigation screen and touch the map to explore different locations and retrieve the charms.

Entering a Location

Well hello and welcome to ………….. Have a look around and see what you can find. Maybe there will be a charm in this Location.

Re-entering a location

Are you sure you want to enter this location again??

This is a work in progress because I don't know exactly how many locations we are having in the installation yet. Therefore I will clear this up with Rob and Joe as soon as possible and finish the script.

I have also booked recording time to get the voice overs done and also I am planning on getting a better microphone out to record clock sounds, creaky floor board sounds to put into the final installation.

Graphic Design - Rob Prince

The graphic design of both the interface and the videos is well underway. This progress will hopefully be demonstrated through the prototype on Monday. The main goal for design and creation this week is the "Clarks Shop" feature of the installation. This has been started and completion is nearing. We are still awaiting the distribution of the "Universal Menu / Exit" button, to incorporate into the design. Note that the main menu design had to change due to the positioning of this button however it has been accomodated.

Unfortunately , I spent far too much time this week trying to find out how to make "glowing buttons".

I explored many different avenues which required several different software packages. These proved difficult to obtain and download (restricted data usage from my ISP) and not to mention to actually learn  the software. Below I've highlighted some of the routes I explored.

1. .GIF images - I found that due to the low quality colour rate, any glows created with .gifs always had a jagged edge or a white border. This was only resolvable if you had a solid one colour background - which our menu did not have and nor was it desirable.

(Click the above images to view the actual effect of the glows coupled with attempted image transparency)

2. .APNG files - animated PNG files - I discovered this is not a very widely supported format (not supported by max) and required additional plugins.

"The Animated Portable Network Graphics (APNG) file format is an unofficial extension to the Portable Network Graphics (PNG) specification. It allows for animated PNG files that work similarly to animated GIF files, while supporting 24-bit images and 8-bit transparency not available for GIFs."


3. .MOV movie file - By using Adobe After Effects I did manage to create loopable glowing button movies. Being movie files however, they were extremely large in size (30MB+) which is incredibly undesirable when it comes to processing.


---


Thankfully we were, today, demonstrated a much easier solution and approach to this aspect of the design. By using two stacked images, one with the glow and one without, we can alter the alpha of the glowing image (placed behind) to create the "pulsing, glowing" effect. Much easier, a lot less processing and we also get to retain the quality of the images without having to compress (as with video). The moment I was told it could be achieved with just two images, I knew exactly the trick and have been cursing myself since. Alot of time was wasted! Never the less, the development is ongoing.


I recorded a voiceover with James for the introduction video today. Video cutscenes for the varying locations are to be decided when we know what we are putting into each area/square/scene. I have also been looking through my personal photo albums for places/backdrop images we could use in varying scenes - appropriate photos have been gathered into a folder and distributed to the team.

Update - James Stephenson

This week I not had the most amount of time to work on this installation. However the things I have done this week are,

After the lecture / meeting on Monday I took the advice of not spending too much time and effort in recording sounds for this installation. Therefore I looked on the internet and searched through databases of sounds to use in the installation. On Friday I met up with Joe and gave him the rough audio files and 2-3 downloaded sounds. My aim is to record proper audio clips including voice overs better once we know it is what we want.

Also during this week I have looked and thought about the script that we will use for voice overs and for the videos. Myself and Joe have organised to record some basic vocal recordings Monday afternoon so we can then use in the installation. We will be using the script that I am writing for these.

I have also thought about casting for the voice overs. However I need to check with Rob and Joe about characters we are going to use before I do male and female casting.

Patch Progress - Joe White

After speaking to rob and mark about the navigation method in this instalation I have chosen for the prototype to use a touch reference system, using the image of the map I have now created a touchable version which accuretely selects which box you are in, and outputs this information in the format of a1, b5 and so on.

We have now incorporated a fade option into the patch, and the prototype of the glowing buttons system for smooth transistions between screens and showing the user clearly what to select.

The next battle is the opening of map screens and videos, and as a group beggining information planning of what we plan to include / note.

A video shall follow this post containing the latest version (4) of the patch.

Pitch + Feedback

Update - James Stephenson

Throughout this week I have written a script for the different characters at different locations. This is still a work in progress because I need to comply with Rob about the length of the videos and if I need to cut some of the phrase out to fit the videos. Therefore once this is done I shall complete the script and make sure we organize recording sessions for the voice overs.

I have also recorded some basic sounds to put into the prototype so we have a basic idea what the project will sound like. I will record these in a higher standard for the instalation.

My aims for the rest of the week:

• I need to research about some people / characters that I can use and who to cast for these voice overs.
• Finish the script and cast the script.
• Organise recording sessions for voice overs
• Finish recording background sounds needed for the main menu, game and clarkes shop.

Prototype 1 Complete !!! - Joe White

Well, After an extremely long programming session on Monday and receiving a selection of images and ideas from rob and james i have finally finished the prototype for the menu, this does not contain the finalized audio, nor images, however it does have the correct loading point, closing points and space for final images, videos and audio to be replaced by simply changing file names !

I have included a video showing the patch below ;

And below are a few screenshots of the programming side of things, please not that the programming will be much neater when complete, but the important thing is that it works !!!

And this is what the protoype of the main menu looks like