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-   -   Clams Progress (https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4816)

jroseone 04-27-2009 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmaddy (Post 112976)
Have you not considered that that may be the way that real clams behave?
There are lots of examples on the internet, check out some of the videos on these sites...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rulerofheck/3386724525/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOa3BMPMKBw&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuLdC...eature=related

Far from being unnatural, it's my understanding that Jim has gone out of his way to make his clam movement as natural as possible.

The videos show exactly what I was talking about, the clams seem to close all the way and then open up slowly.

Allot of times in the screen saver they close slightly or partially and begin to open again.

When several fish go by they resemble an accordion type movement.

Jim perhaps you should set the close speed to full speed and have them open up slowly.

I think that would cut down on the slinky like movement.

Ralph 04-27-2009 03:22 PM

I know..but the impatient lot we are.. adding 30 lion fish is currently our only alternative to to making those clams work for having us wait this long:D

Jim Sachs 04-27-2009 03:27 PM

I just don't have the weeks required to finish fine-tuning the clams right now. They already work identically to the clams at my local aquarium store, except for moving at half-speed. They start closing until a threat is past, then immediately open, no matter where they were in the closing process. I suggest you switch to one of the other aquarium simulations with moving clams.

cjmaddy 04-27-2009 03:36 PM

The clams in those videos I've looked at behave very similar to Jim's. - Therefore I don't think there is anything wrong with their movement.

jroseone 04-27-2009 03:52 PM

No need to get any panties in a bunch, it was just a suggestion.

cjmaddy 04-27-2009 04:08 PM

I don't wear panties, - and I shouldn't think Jim does either.... Our wives would think that very strange! ..... :)

Ralph 04-27-2009 04:21 PM

I agree the movement of the clams is fine:TU:.... My criticism is that the fish are programmed to swim too far away from them.. in my opinion... :)

There is a natural path that fish would normally follow.. between the crystal and corral... Jim's fish mostly go through this opening fairly high up (and thus they avoid triggering the clams).

I know this gets into the tricky collision avoidance and pass through problem... and I understand that this is an area currently (or will be) re worked. In due time when the "nibbling" feature is working the fish will be allowed to get closer to the bottom and clams:D

Surferminn 04-27-2009 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 112984)
Though they dont have eyes, they are light-sensitive. The smaller ones like these are easily triggered by passing your hand over the tank, causing a slight shadow to fall across them. When the shadow has passed, they immediately open back up. I've slowed mine down to about half-speed in an attempt to avoid the "surely they don't move that fast" comments. I see that I was unsuccessful in this :)


lol...One of my first thoughts was, "Surely they don't move that slow..." I have seen only 1-2 live clams and they snapped shut really fast like a reflex so I was kinda puzzled by these slowly closing. Then thought I might look around and do some homework before I put my foot in my mouth. And then after seeing Cliff's links, figured, well, maybe some of them do close that slow and let it go. Thanks for your comment above so I know I wasn't losing it. I'll just clam up now and admire your work. :)

Regarding the fishes, I have to say as I watched, sometimes I could swear they should be closing but they just sit there so I figure the fish must be closer to the glass than it looks. The best close connection I've seen is when the fishes seem to be foraging the pebbles nearby looking for something and then they close. :TU:

Yodelking 04-27-2009 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 113004)
I just don't have the weeks required to finish fine-tuning the clams right now.

Does this mean you're working on something else in the tank, or busy with other stuff?

Jim Sachs 04-28-2009 12:01 AM

Something else in the tank.

Overlord 04-28-2009 12:32 AM

I think the clams are perfectly fine. You'll never satisfy 100% of the people, Jim. Personally I think it is time to move forward with the new high resolution fish models. That would greatly compliment the new high resolution background of MA3. Just my opinion. And you know what they say about opinions!

patscarr 04-28-2009 05:09 AM

What are you working on now, Jim?

Jav400 04-28-2009 07:27 AM

An escape plan? ;) :lol::lol:

Jim Sachs 04-28-2009 10:03 AM

It's a secret.

loub516 04-28-2009 11:55 AM

Shhhhh.....:silent:

Ralph 04-28-2009 12:12 PM

We all love secrets.... gives us something to speculate about:) I am guessing "something that lives in the sea"

Marian Nichols 04-28-2009 01:01 PM

I am just so glad I don't have to change the water in this tank. ;)

dboyd420 04-28-2009 05:47 PM

The movement is good. I would have them retract much faster, more like a flinch. When they open back up, the speed is fine. The accordion effect is caused by having the same speed in both directions (open/close).

iMark 04-28-2009 07:31 PM

at this point, I'm happy as a ...well....a clam..

looking forward to what's next...

as far as people never being happy, I think the never ending tweaking of the music and crystal episodes made that entirely clear...things that really had nothing at all to do with the heart of the aquarium, which is really what this project was about...but, all's well that ends well.....yeah...a clam...I'm happy as a clam...

Jim Sachs 04-28-2009 08:02 PM

dboyd420 - Do you really have the impression that they open and close at the same rate? They open at 1/4 the rate that they close.

snorkler 04-28-2009 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marian Nichols (Post 113071)
I am just so glad I don't have to change the water in this tank. ;)

Careful, this could become a "feature" - the fish won't die, you just won't be able to see them through the murk!!

BUZZIN_NICE 04-29-2009 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlord (Post 113031)
I think the clams are perfectly fine. You'll never satisfy 100% of the people, Jim. Personally I think it is time to move forward with the new high resolution fish models. That would greatly compliment the new high resolution background of MA3. Just my opinion. And you know what they say about opinions!

high resolution fish models are coming? omg, i almost wet my pants with excitement!

dboyd420 04-29-2009 11:47 AM

Jim,

I realize now that they do open at a slower rate. It’s just not dramatic enough to seem real, and causing the accordion effect mentioned by jroseone. Clams have a fast reflex when they close, kinda like a twitch. I don't think they should close all the way every time, that's not their behavior. But to alleviate the accordion effect, the clams should have a flinching action, much faster than the opening rate.

cjmaddy 04-29-2009 06:03 PM

1 Attachment(s)
It's not often that this happens! .... I couldn't get to the Print/Scrn key fast enough! :)

..... And a rather nice background colour, - don't you think?

loub516 04-30-2009 04:10 AM

I haven't seen that one on mine.

henemly 04-30-2009 08:56 AM

Nice job on all three closed. Been attempting the same thing without success.

Hot 05-01-2009 02:51 PM

Hi Jim
First off I think the clams look great!
But (lol) I also love the way they look when closed.
Do you think you could have a random clam close at a random time.
Say 5-10 min's and stay closed for 30 sec's or so. That way there would only be a clam fully closed
Every 5 to 10 minutes, and they would still work just like they do now.
Just a thought don’t beat me up (lol) I just think they look so much better
When one is closed. If not I am buying it anyway.
Thanks Ron P.

jroseone 05-01-2009 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dboyd420 (Post 113086)
Jim,

I realize now that they do open at a slower rate. It’s just not dramatic enough to seem real, and causing the accordion effect mentioned by jroseone. Clams have a fast reflex when they close, kinda like a twitch. I don't think they should close all the way every time, that's not their behavior. But to alleviate the accordion effect, the clams should have a flinching action, much faster than the opening rate.

I agree. :D

I think upping the close speed would be suffice in eliminating the issue.

MarkDerail 05-08-2009 02:22 PM

I was about to comment on how often the clams move, as if they were exercising.

Then I remembered in an earlier post about fish interaction - I had 30 fish on !
There was always a fish bumping into them.

IOW - less fish = better clam experience

henemly 05-09-2009 06:11 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Finally got all 3 to close tight. (their ganging up)
Attachment 8137

Plecostomus 05-10-2009 07:19 AM

Can't install beta 10, saved file to Documents and clicked to open,Internet Explorer tries to open several times a second resulting in a strobe effect and cannot be cancelled. I have to restart to get rid of it, any one else experienced this please?
I,m using IE8, Vista premium 32bit, 4Gb Ram, Quad 6600, GeForce 9800GT,Direct X 10, and 202Gb of space left on H/Drive,HP 2558 monitor

Plecostomus 05-10-2009 08:11 AM

OOOPS, Please forget last post, just realised I was trying to open zip file with IE8, all is now well, and I apologise for wasting time

engelens 05-11-2009 02:43 AM

No more clams...
 
Beta 10a expired today, so I had to revert to the Prolific installer version, without live clams.:( They really made the aquarium come to life, with their interaction with the fish. I hope the new beta (or installer) will be up soon, so we can be clamming again! Jim, it is amazing how you can bring things to life!:TU:

rctneil 05-11-2009 02:44 AM

Yes, mine has expired to so have temporarily reverted to the ribbosn screensaver until a new beta comes out. I could go to the installer version but might as well wait for the next beta. Not a big deal as I can wait!

Marian Nichols 05-11-2009 03:16 AM

mine too :sad:

I am ready to buy it, even though I know it isn't ready completely.

Yodelking 05-11-2009 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engelens (Post 113366)
Beta 10a expired today, so I had to revert to the Prolific installer version, without live clams

Or just simply set the computer to 1st of May instead.

I noticed that Beta10a says: "Beta 9 has expired..."

basser1 05-14-2009 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marian Nichols (Post 113369)
mine too :sad:

I am ready to buy it, even though I know it isn't ready completely.


Do eeett!! I deed! It's a beautiful thing!!


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