Archive for the ‘programming’ Category
Friday, July 19th, 2013
I tried to run a java-based network-analysis application (Cytoscape). Mostly it ran ok, though a few glitches occurred. Then I read the documentation, which stated that it required version 6 of Java. Needless to say, I had Java 7 on my system. I have previously read that Java 7 was not entirely backwards-compatible with Java 6. So now I’d like to see how well it runs under Java 6.
Which leads to the problem…
Where can one get Java 6?
(more…)
Posted in Java, programming | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
I used to use this language back in 1990. It matches my way of programming fairly well. Now I have some concepts I want to try out, so what’s available now? What’s best and free or low-cost? Is a development environment for it available in the form of an iPad app? Or can it be used produce iPad apps?
Google [best version of smalltalk]:
Now about iOS (iPhhone/iPad) devices:
Being as I am mostly Windows-based, I’ll give Dolphin Smalltalk a go…
Posted in programming, Smalltalk | No Comments »
Saturday, January 28th, 2012
Questions:
- What should and does it consist of?
- Including anything non-obvious e.g. “tucked away”, “additional Downloads”, “obscure” etc.
- ???
Answers (as far as I can tell…):
- _Support & Communities
- Looks at first sight like any application’s Help dialog, but on deeper inspection is also connected web-wise and answers to questions are not restricted to Adobe products.
- After Effects
- In contrast to Premiere, which is for conventional light-touch editing, this is for heavier effects and compositing etc.
- http://shisko.blogspot.com/2007/09/creating-trees-in-after-effects.html
- …AE is a “2.5d” application. The worldspace is 3d, but any imagery you have (discounting 3rd party applications such as Invigorator and such) is “flat”.
- (As opposed to 3D Modelling apps such as 3dsMax, Blender)
- After Effects Render Engine
- Render farm: Network rendering with watch folders and render engines.
- Previously, it was possible to install render engines on as many machines as wished, but not so under CS5.5, where a separate serial number must be obtained for each machine. For small guys like me that makes it pretty useless. It seems likely that a more flexible option will exist in future versions.
- Audition
- Audio editor, derived (many years ago) from CoolEdit.
- Bridge
- A combination of media file manager, media manager, metadata editor, also does some kinds of media processing.
- Can be run standalone or from within apps e.g. Premiere: [File > Browse in Bridge…]
- Color Finesse
- A multi-host (including Premiere & AE) plugin that goes above and beyond typical NLE color correction.
- On my system it only appears to be available under AE.
- Device Central
- Simulates media appearance etc. on a range of devices such as cellphones.
- DigiEffects FreeForm
- Manipulate a flat object into almost any shape using displacement maps and meshes in 3D space.
- Examples: flowing cloth, animated loose filmstrips, rippling fluids, terrain flyovers, welded metal, morphs, reveals.
- Encore
- DVD authoring. Menus can be created in Photoshop (using special layering techniques).
- Extension Manager
- Manage extensions (broadly like plugins) associated with various Adobe programs.
- ExtendScript Toolkit:
- Adobe workflow command-script editor
- An IDE (along the lines of Visual Studio) for scripts in Adobe Bridge, itself serving to automate workflows involving multiple Adobe applications.
- Flash Professional
- A multimedia authoring program to create content for Flash-enabled platforms/devices.
- Flash Catalyst
- A designers’ tool for creating the user interface for Rich Internet Applications. Primary function of being a GUI composer for Adobe Flex components.
- Can import Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, or Flash XML Graphics (FXG) files.
- Help
- A help resource not only with local help-documentation but also capable of searching beyond, even beyond Adobe, to find solutions.
- Illustrator
- Vector graphics editor e.g. useful for typesetting and logo graphics design. It is the companion product of Photoshop.
- KeyLight
- An advanced chroma-keyer, tackling reflections, semi-transparent areas and hair.
- Media Encoder
- Encodes audio and video media content.
- Mocha
- <<Stand-alone tracking and roto tool to help solve problematic shots challenging the built in tools of After Effects and Final Cut by bringing advanced planar tracking and matte creation tools>>
- Planar tracking
- Track a plane(-ish) surface in 3D space e.g. as it translates, rotates, perspective changes.
- Typically more robust and capable than points-tracking.
- Great for moving subject or tracking camera.
- Overkill when the only (relative) motion is due to camera pan/tilt.
- http://blog.davidesp.com/archives/230
- e.g. select an area then it uses any detail there including texture to get a fix, and follows changes in translation, rotation, perspective etc.
- OnLocation
- Direct to disk recorder / logger also acting as monitor with waveform monitor and vectorscope. And no doubt much else.
- PhotoShop
- Such a big noun that it became a verb…
- Premiere Pro
- Primary editing app, with emphasis on productive cutting and smooth playback etc., minimising the need to render, leaving heavy effects and compositing etc. to AE.
- Story
- A collaborative script development tool/service. There is an application for working alone on an offline version and a web-based service where you can sync up with an online version.
- Ultra
- Vector-keyer (simple-to-use effective chroma-keying) that was once a standalone app by Serious Magic, now available as a plugin within Premiere (but not AE). I get the impression it is regarded (or at least branded) as simple to use but ultimately less sophisticated/capable than KeyLight (???).
- Serious Magic used to highlight its capabilities regarding reflections, semi-transparent areas and hair…
- Utilities
- ExtendScript
- An integrated development environment (IDE) for the creation and debugging of JavaScript code for Adobe Bridge, to facilitate workflow-enhancing automation of tasks between elements of Creative Suite.
- PixelBlender
- A simplifying basis for implementing image processing algorithms (filters or effects) in a hardware-independent manner, taking advantage of parallel processing / GPU etc.
- Downside to commercial developers is that code using it may be more visible / understandable.
Posted in Adobe, After Effects, Encoding, grading, Mocha, monitor, motion tracking, Premiere, programming, render, retiming, scripting, scriptwriting | No Comments »
Friday, December 10th, 2010
Picking up an ancient software project in C++, edited in Microsoft Visual Studio for C++. Where to start? So I don’t have to work it out again, here are the basics:
- Double-click a [.dsw] file.
- That is a Workspace file, plain text, not a lot inside it.
- It includes a reference to a [.dsp] file, which is a Project file, plain text, serves as a Make file.
- Do not double-click a [.dsp] file directly.
- Now to compile. There are two Compile modes: Debug and Release. The former makes debugging easier and the latter is slimmer and fitter (more optimized, hence smaller and faster).
- To select mode, do [Build > Set Active Configuration]
- If select Release mode, then result, the expected [.exe] file and a bunch of clutter (some [.obj] files etc.) appear in a Release subfolder.
Posted in MSVC, programming | No Comments »