Things have been a little slow around here lately i’m afraid, but hey, it’s all been in a good cause. I’m working pretty solidly on more technical coding projects and other time consuming activities (like degrees). In the intervening month i’ve had my head buried in code; html, javascript, php, css, ruby, perl, flash, java - you name it.


But fear not bretherin, forgotten about you i have not. Above is a little update on the firefly project which is going slowly, but it’s a cool sideline and i’m having fun with it. Hopefully over the summer i’ll actually have some free time to finish it. But where are the freakin tutorials i hear you cry. Well, i’ve got a couple of ideas for when i get some time, but i’d really like to hear from you guys with what you’re interested in seeing. Any particular tutorial you really like and want to see more of? Or want me to expand on some of my 3D stuff? Or perhaps something totally different with web development. Anyway, let me know. Meanwhile, i have a couple of big projects that i plan on really getting moving in the next few months that should have a big impact for you.


In other misc filler news, i’d like to point out that the myspace page is still available here and rhys-works actually has a youtube page you can check out here. Incidently, in the interests of user input, are there any other features you’d be interested in seeing on the site, like a forum perhaps.


And for the sudden influx of visitors we’re magically having today, hi. I don’t know where you’re coming from, but wherever it is, i salute you.

The very long awaited and featured rain over water sequence is now complete in tutorial form! This tutorial is in 3 parts detailing the initial texture, creating the water, and creating the rain, all completely inside After Effects. This one has been a long time coming and i’ve had a lot of requests on how to do it so i hope this satisfies you guys. Any questions, you know where to ask them.


As mentioned in the tutorial, the hi-rez quicktime version of the effect can be found here right click, save as.

Hey guys, it’s been a little while, but with easter coming up i’ve got something to show you all i’ve been working on for some time. Presenting: The Online 3D Model Environment. Basically, as previously mentioned, it’s website embedded 3D world which will ultimately allow you to export your models from Max, Maya, Lightwave etc. to the website so friends and colleagues can check them out in full 3D online. You will need the latest version of Java installed to run it, which i suspect many of you will have since more and more software these days requires it (many have it installed without even knowing) but ultimately, the trick was to make non-standard openGL libraries available to those who don’t have it installed without requiring them to manually install them. Anyway, check it out, and let me know what you think.

Above is a little sneak-peak of something i’m working hard on, and rest assured it’s directly related to you guys and will essentially be a part of rhys-works.com, though with it’s own unique site. As for what it is exactly.. i can’t tell you that. Yet. A few hints maybe. I’m developing a fairly sizable Java program in openGL (real-time graphics rendering) that’ll allow you to embed your Maya and Max objects directly into a website in a fully 3D environment, so you can check yours and other people’s objects out online without worrying about screenshots from all sorts of different angles, that’s directly related to the new site.


For those of you interested it was designed in photoshop and is the first of this particular style i’ve attempted, as historically speaking i suck with photoshop, but no more hopefully. It’s been an interesting learning curve and i think i’m finally getting a proper handle on things.

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