Avr
The now highly popular AVR CPU chip architecture was developed in Norway by two students working on a project. When they sold their own designs to Atmel, the technology was further developed to become the popular and ever increasingly developed standard that it is today. It struck a chord in the computing world because it led the way with the usage of flash memory on the chip itself, as opposed to other standards that were common across the industry such as ROM and EPROM. The benefits of the flash storage for programs meant that there was no need for external memory. The 8-bit RISC (reduced instruction set computer) single chip micro controller is based on the principal that less is often better. Simple instructions can replace long and complicated algorithms and still provide the higher level of performance due to speed. The ability to process simpler commands should allow for processes to be executed much more quickly and efficiently. The AVR architecture allowed for the execution of programs in a non-volatile flash memory format. Efficiency is still the keyword of the development of AVR. Being so popular, the AVR architecture continues to be developed, as there are many resources available for doing so. Development boards and software are easily available as well as being priced within a reasonable range. The data RAM of the AVR architecture allowed for the Flash, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) forms of memory storage to be incorporated together on one chip. This was a factor that eliminated the need for any external memory, but there is still the capability to add extra memory with the buses of any external devices. The program memory is self contained, as all executable code driven by the AVR architecture has to be done within the flash memory of the chip, as there is no off-chip program memory. AVR micro controllers use EEPROM for the storage of data that is only semi-permanent. Both Flash and EEPROM can maintain and store data even if the system loses power. Combined with the AVR architecture, the access time of EEPROM is sped up greatly and information should only be written if some instruction or data needs to be altered. The speed of AVR’s are one of the most impressive factors, as when it executes a program, it does so in a dual stage process. As one instruction is being executed, the next one is already being obtained. The clock speed of the AVR MCU’s is stated as being 0-20 MHz with some configurations and devices reaching higher than that.
December 22, 2010
Avr
December 21, 2010
Gearing up for an animation hobby – investing conservatively
Gearing up for an animation hobby – investing conservatively
Computer animation is such a rewarding field of work to be in; but keeping up with the galloping pace of technology can make it quite an expensive affair. The animation technology market is worth millions of dollars every year in the area of equipment upgrades alone, selling to private animators and studios large and small. The humble private animation enthusiast though, will find that today’s technology grants the budget user a great palette for very little outlay, just as it grants the high-end user with fantastic capabilities for millions. All you need to know is where to look and how to find that bargain. Before you set off spending your hard-earned money, you need to understand what exactly it is that you’re interested in achieving. Is it an interactive website that strikes your fancy, or is it a quality animated short? What seems the more expressive medium to you: 2D or 3D animation? Investigate the market, for the different kinds of software applications available, and check out all the information published on the manufacturer’s website. Many software vendors do not offer 30-day moneyback guarantees. Once you have opened the box, quite possibly, you have it for life. You need to buy software more carefully than you would hardware. The good news is that all software titles these days are available on a trial basis. These demo models have a few functions turned off: you can’t save, you can’t run the program more than a dozen times or so, and many others. But these restricted demo models certainly give you a good feeling of what the software does for you to help you buy wisely. These demo versions are always available at the manufacturer’s website, or if you would prefer to download all the competing software at one place, you could try a download center like CNet’s download.com. The big names in animation software packages are usually extremely expensive; it may feel, when you are only just beginning, that you really need to not hold yourself back by buying feature-light software. You must not be put off by the low price that the limited-feature software comes for. Compare it to what professionals had only five years ago, and the limited edition stuff you buy today begins to appear pretty advanced. Even the cheapest starter edition of anything that you buy today can be very potent. The same policy goes for buying animation-related hardware. It may seem like buying a large tablet or an expensive brand is really putting money where it counts. But when you see that the expensive camera or tablet that you bought today ends up costing $100 less next year, you will wonder what it was exactly that you got for your money. When you’re just starting out, having basic equipment that is not weighing you downn is the most important factor. Software does not run on its own; it depends on a host computer to work as well as advertised. In general, animation-related software can be pretty resource-intensive. Make sure before you spend a dollar, that your computer is up to scratch, and that you have the operating system that the software works best with. Unless you have some heavy-duty work in mind, you can often cut corners with system requirements. The general idea then is to be conservative when you set off down this new path. If you spend wisely, you can experiment for longer and stick to your path better.
December 19, 2010
Make your own battery packs
Make your own battery packs
Are you one of those who love to buy battery-driven ultra-modern gadgets to make life more tech-oriented? Well then battery must be an integral part of your life. That’s the happy picture but not the complete one though. To avoid tensions regarding batteries, it is better that you make your own battery packs. If you do it yourself you will definitely know how to use it in the best possible manner. This will also make maintenance of the battery packs much easier in the future. You can also reduce the dependence on professional help for small servicing. If you make your own battery packs you can save a lot of money. First of all the manufacturing cost will be much less in comparison to the cost of readymade battery packs available in the market. This will also lessen the recurring cost of keeping the batteries in order. So better make your own battery packs if you wish to continue with battery-driven consumer goods. The one and only precondition in order to make your own battery packs is proper and undiluted knowledge on the same. It will be foolhardy to focus all your thoughts, interests and knowledge on battery packs. You need to know about associated things too, like the accessories; for example the chargers. The more you know about the secondary things, the more you will be able to concentrate on the compatibility perspective when you attempt to make your own battery packs. Apart from this, you should also be more aware about the features and the battery requirements of the device for which you are making the packs. For this it is better that you go through the manual that was given to by the dealer from whom you bought the device. Once you are thorough with this you can make your own battery packs pretty fast and easily. There are many other ways in which you can get benefitted if you make your own battery packs. There is no harm in asking for help from experts through the internet to make your endeavor fruitful and execution smooth. You can visit different blogs and forums where exchange of knowledge, thoughts and opinions are found on related topics. You can also seek help from experts while you make your own battery packs. This will ease the process. Before you start the process get ready with all the required equipments and raw materials. Don’t compromise on the quality of these materials as then the end product will not be up to the mark. Enjoy while you make your own battery packs and learn more.
December 17, 2010
Creating a hybrid 2d and 3d animation
Creating a hybrid 2d and 3d animation
Animation has fascinated humanity for more time anyone can remember; ever since the first flipbook showed people how images could be made to move, the race has always been on to make animation better and more expressive. It has always been two-dimensional animation though until very recently, when 3D animation performed on computers, began to supplant 2D. But does the arrival of 3D animation have to necessarily mean the end of 2D? How might one go about using two at the same time? With the right software and knowledge, it is possible to tastefully put 2D and 3D together in the same scenes and films. Begin by putting down on paper, drawings of how you wish to have your hybrid scene appear. You will need to plan the 3D elements of your film, the background, and plan them down to every detail of their appearance. You could also do well to write down details of all the 3-D components of the scene that will need to actually be animated. Creating an environment on 3-D software can take a great deal of time; modeling a tree, a rock and other component, placing them exactly where you want to see them, can end up taking days. You can find excellent tools for this in any 3D animation software, and also in Photoshop . Always remember that it is not your aim to just create smooth surfaces all over: all good 3-D animation software provides for texture programming. All the 3-D objects in your film that need to be animated, can be run through a 3-D rendering application. Take your camera angle exactly as you wish to see it in your film, and try not to keep the camera static. It is the motion that will allow you to show your audience the difference between the 2D elements of your film and the 3D ones. Rendering is the process by which a programmed graphic is actually made visible by translating the mathematical formulae used by the software into actually visible pictures. Your animation program can be used at this point to take up all the characters and backgrounds you created and to animate them. The rendering process achieves this. In the rendering process, each frame programmed is interpreted from computer models to visible pictures. When you open the 3D backgrounds you created in your animation program you can begin to paint in the 2D characters you have created with the help of the animating software, or by other means. If you have any camera angle changes or panning planned, you must keep track of how the background environment needs the change to the appropriate new background in each frame. You can do this on the frame by frame basis until your 2D character easily moves against a moving background.
December 15, 2010
Pioneer hdtv
Pioneer hdtv
When you are interested in purchasing a Pioneer HDTV, it is important that you know there are many different ones to choose from. When browsing, look for specifications such as the model, type, projection type, aspect, resolution, contrast, lumens and built in tuners. By doing this you will be able to determine if the price you are paying is worth it or not. You don’t have to have a degree in electronics to figure that out, you can see if you are getting everything you want for the price involved. If you don’t do this, you might end up with a TV that cannot perform as you would like it to, and you paid a high price for it. Pioneer HDTV’s come in many different sizes and makes, but plasma is the specialty of this company. Their TV’s range from small to very large and are equal in displaying perfect images. The smaller ones will obviously be a lot cheaper than the bigger ones, but know that you are getting your money’s worth when buying a large one. You can have your own movie theatre in your lounge! Okay, you don’t have to go that big, but it would be nice to have a large TV screen mounted up on the wall for you to watch TV whenever you feel like it, and to do so in style! When you are interested in purchasing a Pioneer HDTV, you might want to browse online at the different makes first, before you decide on a certain television that you’d like to feature in your home. It is best to do this because there are many websites that sell the TV’s that have reviews from previous customers who bought the same TV you might be interested in. By reading reviews from people who already bought it, you will be able to make up your mind and decide on which TV is best for you. This will help you, but remember to take all the possibilities into consideration. Also, try not to purchase from a website that isn’t showing you pictures of the Pioneer HDTV set. It is always better to purchase something when you have a rough idea of what it looks like. If the TV arrives at your door and it is the complete opposite of what you expected, it is going to cost you for that delivery and more if you want to send it back.
December 14, 2010
Stop motion animation as a creative hobby
Stop motion animation as a creative hobby
It can be a particularly creative hobby to take up, to look towards stop motion animation. This kind of creativity is just right for the passionate artist of modest means. The only equipment you need to start out with are an inexpensive digital camera, a computer and software for under $100. The great thing about being creative on a budget is that the main contribution to the final product comes from not great equipment or anything, but from your own imagination and creativity: you need to think in unconventional ways to achieve the results you want. Picking two-dimensional stop motion animation to start with simplifies things and allows you many possibilities to work with. You can start preparing for your story by making drawings on paper, and erasing and drawing over, for the various stages in motion you wish to depict. If tracing over the same drawing over again seems like too much work, you can just do it on different sheets of paper and photograph each one. This can give a cleaner look, but it can be very difficult to ensure that the images are properly tracked without moving about: this could result in a jerky motion in the end. A better way to go about it might be the use of some sort of a surface that is easily erased for repeat use. A chalkboard or a white board could be good possibilities. All you have to do to make your character move is to erase the part of the character’s body that needs to move and draw over that, leaving the rest untouched. There are very expressive animation possibilities using cut-and-paste paper figures. The drawing you make can be cut at the joints, and moved easily to depict motion. You could make several drawings of the same object to show motion. If you have to animate the face, you could draw several standard expressions on different sheets and switch between them to bring out the appearance of speech. Three-dimensional animation opens up to you possibilities that are even greater. Use of plasticine or clay could make great 3D models, and malleable wire to fashion stick figures out of can be a good starting point. Wire can be the material of choice to work with; plasticine is often molded over wire figures for use as a skeleton too. If you have little action figures, these often have movable flexible limbs and bodies that can be used to articulate motion. There should be a degree of viewer motion in the final movie experience. This is achieved by using the camera in creative ways to animate the picture: you can pan and move the camera from side to side. Remember, your movie is called an animation not a static. As always, it is the thought behind the part that counts and not the technique itself. A sensitive story and artistic storytelling will always make any stop motion animation movie stand out.