A.Blog » graduate work http://am3thyst.net/blog Bits and pieces of life Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:36:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Brainstorming for my ink drawing tool http://am3thyst.net/blog/2009/09/23/brainstorming-for-my-ink-drawing-tool/ http://am3thyst.net/blog/2009/09/23/brainstorming-for-my-ink-drawing-tool/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:40:13 +0000 Amy http://am3thyst.net/blog/?p=698 My latest project for my programming class1 was to create a drawing tool. I opted for something rather straightforward, an ink simulation. I wanted the user to be able to create ink splatters, so I used actual inks to create the shapes I would re-create in Processing:

process

I realized after the fact, that I could’ve just scanned the ink splatters and import them into my applet as images. Then again, that was sorta like cheating. My solution was to procedurally generate the ink splatters using circles, Bezier curves2, and triangles. You can try out my app here.

I also know there are quite alot of usability issues, but when you’re on a tight deadline, usability is usually the first thing to go >_< . I’ll probably refine this applet later on, so I can put it on my portfolio.

  1. Computation as an Expressive Medium
  2. which took FOREVER to get right
]]> http://am3thyst.net/blog/2009/09/23/brainstorming-for-my-ink-drawing-tool/feed/ 0 Hello from grad school! http://am3thyst.net/blog/2009/09/07/hello-from-grad-school-1/ http://am3thyst.net/blog/2009/09/07/hello-from-grad-school-1/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:41:36 +0000 Amy http://am3thyst.net/blog/?p=688 It’s been about a month since I’ve arrived, and it’s just been a whirlwind. I’ve settled in for the most part but the first few weeks, my head overflowing with new ideas, theory, and new names. Here are a few observations I’ve made:


* Atlanta IS NOT NYC (well duh). You need wheels to get anywhere. I felt crippled by my inability to get anywhere1, so I walked 40 minutes to the nearest bike shop to get a bike2. Also, the streets change names in the middle of intersections. I, Amy Cheng, a native New Yorker, is not ashamed to admit that I’ve gotten lost a few times and either had to call someone for help or turn back. But it’s not all bad, the South has its charm (and a few good local breweries). I am entranced by the thunderstorms down here. The skies flash purple. ALSO, the hushpuppies are excellent.

* It is true that there are way more guys here at Georgia Tech than there are girls, a total reversal from Vassar, my undergrad alma matter. BUT it’s not like I’m having a field day here either. The stereotype of the awkward, pasty-faced, nerd, with the horrendous fashion sense holds true too. Not that I really mind or am repulsed by it, but if I smile and make polite smalltalk, I do not want to hear you whine about not meeting any girls3. MAJOR TURN OFF.

* Not that I have time for boys or for exploring Atlanta4 because I have graduate work to do. Some days it hardly feels like work at all because I’m studying and research stuff I’m interested in. The work is slowly overwhelming me though.

I will document all my work of course and will probably post stuff here or on Twitter. BTW, I’m taking a project studio and here are some robot ideas I’ve had to come up with for class tomorrow:

robot ideas

And here is my digital notebook for that class if you’re interested.

  1. spoiled by the MTA and what not
  2. which I’ve fallen in love with. It’s such a smooth ride…
  3. HELLO, I’M A GIRL!
  4. I have made plans to go to the zoo and the World of Coca Cola though
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