Community DVD Project

[brellis]

Looks great, Anthmartian! We're on our way, thanks to you! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[ctrlaltdel]

I've just stumbled across your thread. Judging by what you've got on your website, this looks like it's shaping up to be an accomplished piece of work! As someone who also likes to make cgi models and such, i'm rather intrigued by the teragen software you used for titan's terrain. How difficult is it to get the hang of?

 

[anthmartian]

Brellis : thanks <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> The great thing is, this is certainly not a chore! I'm really enjoying working with these images, you notice new details all the time, so its very interesting.<br /><br />Sorry for going slightly off topic next. But i can't answer the last question briefly. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />ctrlaltdel : The Titan images from terragen, will likely feature somewhere on the DVD, i would like to do more with it. Just as soon as i get my spare PC working i will render a flight over the recently released "island" image from Titan. I have plotted the camera path, saved the project, but know its going to be a marathon render, so i need to do it on my spare PC! *L*<br /><br />I find Terragen is very easy to use and of course, totally free, but like many things if you are looking to really master it, it can take time. For me, i just enjoy pottering in it i'm no expert. But, i know if you really get into it you can produce wonderful images, and get fairly photo realistic.<br /><br />My wife often uses Terragen, and she has no experience at all with 3d software. The newcomer is rewarded with some very nice results.<br /><br />As for getting the Titan data into Terragen, it's not straight forward. But the tools and software to do it are free, or common place. First you need to convert the jpegs from Cassini into TIF files ( i use photoshop ) then open the TIF image in a free tool caled "tconv" which will let you "save as" a Terragen map. i usualy also alter contrast or attempt to try and clean up an image before i save in photoshop. because you run the risk of noise becoming confused as detail on the Terragen map.<br /><br />Once you have the map in Terragen, it's up to you how the environment itself looks. You control the height of the oceans, mountains etc. I found that the highest hills on Titan were about 100M max, so i use that as my highest point. I fiddle with ocean heights until i get a match to the Cassini image ( <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[why06]

This looks great.<br /><br />I just wanted to know if there anything us others can do that don't have any videos of their own to add? How would I be able to help? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div>________________________________________ <br /></div><div><ul><li><font color="#008000"><em>your move...</em></font></li></ul></div> </div>

 

[brellis]

hi why_06<br /><br />check around for your favorite threads, asemble links to great posts, especially those with related images. and post them here. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

why06 : Brellis has made a good suggestion. Plus it is quite time consuming and a daunting task for me to go trawling through every space mission site for the images needed. If you are interested in a particular mission, or imagery from a particular telescope for example. It would be very helpful if you or anybody else could state here which one, and gather images together for it.<br /><br />Then they could be zipped up, and sent to me for the DVD.<br /><br />Also, looking at the MRO pictures, it is a bit like being a kid in a candy shop. There is just so much there. What goes on and what doesnt? maybe this one should be a case of members favourite images from MRO. it would be doing me a great favour if the guys posting on the MRO topic could start selecting "the best" images. Or even cropping images to the 720x576 screen resolution that will be used on the disc.<br /><br />I've decided now to abandon any release date in mind. Instead i'm going to just guage when the disc is full. Hopefully this will be an ongoing project, with pauses to catch my breath! <br /><br />So far i only have one person sending me astro photography. Any others out there? Your contributions will be most welcome. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

I have just completed the Mars Express section of the disc. It is now safely stored on a DVD data disc to be added to the final DVD video later.<br /><br />All content is sort of designed to have latest images crafted on to the end of the video in each case, should any thing interesting be released between now and when the disc is put together properly.<br /><br />The Mars Express feature has a running time of around 15 minutes, and features animated images, computer generated views, and a fantastic slide show.<br /><br />If anybody has read previous posts you'll know i am including all major space missions on the disc, as well as features from members, and also original content i.e astro photography among other things from members.<br /><br />The space missions sections such as the Mars Express one i have just finished are intended to be just a segment of eye candy accompanied by a music sound track. I have just watched it from beginning to end on my TV, it looked amazing! Even my wife sat and watched it all the way through! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[qso1]

Sounds good. I still have to get something together myself. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

Brellis : is there any chance of getting a music track for any preview video i might put together? <br /><br />Please e-mail me if you have anything i could use in this way. Or, if you prefer i could download and use something from your site with your permission?<br /><br />It would be nice if any future previews could have some background music. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[brellis]

hi Anthmartian<br /><br />i'm at a "remote location" right now <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> but when i go to my studio tomorrow, i'll dl your preview vid and try out my existing tracks as accompaniment. also, i'll throw together a package of tracks for you to have on hand as well. it will take some time to assemble a tight list of desirables, but i'll send you some possibles asap.<br /><br />btw, i listened to 5billionyearslater's stuff. i liked it and i find it quite suitable for inclusion in the project. it is ambient, very pleasant and would lend itself to an occasional v.o. as well. i'll lay one of his pieces on your preview as well. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[brellis]

LOL - I'm 4 hours later than time-zero for the new uplink. What'd they do, move it to the Bermuda Triangle? <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[brellis]

Hi Anthmartian<br /><br />I've pulled a few tracks together, but I'd like to tailor one or two for your preview clip. Can you email me a downloadable quicktime movie? Lo Res is totally fine, I'd just like to play with it in ProTools. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

I should be able to get something to you in a couple of days.<br /><br />I usually export video in Quicktime Sorensen 3. That should be fine for you.<br /><br />The preview is just going to be a simple montage, of dirrerent scenes fading in and out. At quite a slow sedate pace. which i hope will represent much of what is going on the disc right across the board. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[brellis]

yes, QT sorenson is fine.<br /><br />I've sent you an email <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

Brellis : Got the e-mail. Amazing track! It does make a wonderful musical back drop to the kind of video tracks made so far. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I will be using that on my own previews i run here, just to get a better sense of the final video. Will send you the Quick time file as we discussed, so you can tailor things your end.<br /><br />When i feel i have all the video we need to complete a disc, i will probably post you data DVD with every track on in Quicktime format, if you like that idea?<br /><br />I have been contacted by another member here, offering his services on the music front. very nice stuff too. Quite atmospheric. I have suggested he gets in touch with you, and he has agreed to send you some samples. He will probably post here too maybe.<br /><br />There was me thinking music would be a problem for this project! I really wanted original music, to keep things legal. But it also serves to make it that extra bit special with members producing it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[why06]

Hey sorry it took me so long to respond. I read what you said about a mont ago though. Anyway Im interested in the idea. I think I'll start searching through the Uplink archives searching for some of the most the most interesting ideas and hypotheses discuss here and maybe put them together an a paper or something. This place comes up with some very good ideas. Though I have been here for less than a year... If I go back even farther I might be surprised... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div>________________________________________ <br /></div><div><ul><li><font color="#008000"><em>your move...</em></font></li></ul></div> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

Thank you Why06 <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />DVD Preview Released.<br /><br />The first preview video for the DVD is now on line. Youtube versions of the film can be seen at the link below, you will also see that higher res options are available on the page which you can download.<br /><br />http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/sdcdvdproject<br /><br />With this being a DVD project, i have made 2 files for download. One is a VCD, the other a full res DVD file. These can either be played on your PC's Media Player. Or they will quickly be able to be transferred to a video disc for viewing on your TV.<br /><br />This is only the first film released. As i say, it is purely a preview. In that it takes in many areas, but hopefully it also shows a little of what we are all about.<br /><br />What will follow will be more specialized features. Released in the same way on line. Then every so often we will pick the best of these for inclusion on a full DVD video disc.<br /><br />Remember this is a project open to all. You may join in or contribute at any time. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />A big thank you must go to Brellis. he has worked on a fantastic music score for this video. having seen the video with and without his talent acompanying it. It really does add so much.<br /><br />Thank you also to everybody else who contributed. Especially the Astro Photographers, the musicians who have offered their services to future films, and the members here who have already got involved.<br /><br />I hope this is the beginning of a very enjoyable and rewarding project for all involved. Both contributers, and viewers.<br /><br />If anybody needs help at all with how to burn a video disc. I would be happy to help. Please ask here.<br /><br />Some screen shots.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

Forgot the screen shots.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[nexius]

Very nice indeed looks totally professional =)

 

[anthmartian]

Thanks Nexius. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I really recommend downloading a higher res version from the page. Seeing some of the imagery on a bigger screen such as a TV, with Brellis's music is quite something. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[why06]

Maybe its just me, but I can't view the youtube version... Anyway nice work. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div>________________________________________ <br /></div><div><ul><li><font color="#008000"><em>your move...</em></font></li></ul></div> </div>

 

[anthmartian]

why06: Thanks! That's odd though. maybe its your browser missing some sort of plugin? Do you have problems with all youtube video or just this one? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[nexius]

I have 1 suggesion for the video! Can you add some nebulaes, and clusters =)

 

[anthmartian]

Nexius : The video did over run, beyond the time limit allowed on youtube. Which is 10 minutes. So, i had to break up the video in to 2 pieces. That's why there is a part 1 and 2. If you have not seen any nebula on the preview, you must have only watched part 1.<br /><br />In part 2, I have Hubble, and some fantastic astro photography all featuring that kind of stuff. The file downloads ( VCD and DVD files ) available run right through and show you the whole thing in one nebula's and all.<br /><br />But, i could have gone on, this preview could have run 5 hours and still missed out great stuff. I just attempted to try and cover as much as i could at this early stage in a reasonable running time. This is a preview, of course there will be a whole feature by itself on those subjects you want to see. Hopeully somebody with an interest in that would put something together, or provide content for me to put it together. That's what i hope will happen.<br /><br />The more people we have involved, the greater the chance for mass appeal.<br /><br />Hope that helps you out. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em>"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy! Without precise calculations we could fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"</em></font></p><p><font color="#33cccc"><strong>Han Solo - 1977 - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....</strong></font></p><p><br /><br />Click Here And jump over to my site.<br /></p> </div>

 

[deapfreeze]

You could have made several dvd's and you probably would still find more. This a very nice piece of work. Great job to all involved. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>William ( deapfreeze ) Hooper</em></font></p><p><font size="1">http://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/</font></p><p> </p> </div>