Clams Progress

[Jav400]

No one has that, since Jim hasn't released it yet.

[rctneil]

Thats what I thought but some posts confused me. Nevermind. Still really looking forward to seeing them!

Any idea how long until we can see a beta of the moving clams?

Thanks

Regards,
Neil

[Jav400]

I haven't heard from Jim specifically, but I'm looking for within a week or so. I guess it depends on what problems Jim runs in to, if any......................

[Jim Sachs]

Every time I think I have the clam movement in an acceptable state, I move the camera and expose all kinds of holes. Getting close, though.

[rctneil]

Can't wait!

[Wizwad]

Agreed!

And I applaud Butters for her quotes!

Not that I'm biased or anything.

[Jim Sachs]

Still having a rough time with the clams. Usually when I create a complicated object, it gets more and more real-looking as I add each effect - movement, shading, etc., But the opposite seems true with the clams. The shells looked good opening and closing without the mantle, and the mantle looked OK unpacking itself and spreading out. But when I put the two together, it takes on a slightly unrealistic look that has been difficult to overcome. So far, I've just been dealing with one clam, so maybe it will look better when all three are in position.

[lglasser]

Isn't there an old adage that refers to getting through life, one clam at a time?

Maybe not.

[enigma63941]

How about a "beta" clam. Just give us what you have and just throw out updates as the clam comes along, kind of like the aquarium

[Jim Sachs]

No, things are very ugly right now. The other two clams are not there, so all the gaps and seams that are usually hidden by them are visible.

[Overlord]

Damn clams! Never met one I could trust.

[Jim Sachs]

Well, I'm off to the aquarium shop to study clams some more. No matter what I try, the clams have a certain hand-drawn quality that doesn't fit with the rest of the tank, and I need to break the cycle.

[Overlord]

Just a suggestion. How about doing the new fish models and movement, and putting the clam movement on the back burner for now?

[Jim Sachs]

That would mean the current Beta would expire, since it's only good for 28 days and the new fish models would take at least a month.

[Jav400]

Jim if you are looking for opinions, why don't you release a "special" beta only good for a week or so and see what people think.......................................

[Jim Sachs]

I'm not really looking for opinions. In my current experiments, the clams look fake. No other opinions are necessary. They look like something the competitors would do (cut it out, paste it in, airbrush a fuzzy too-dark shadow around it). But it's all in the textures - the movement algorithm is working fine. If I can get the textures and shading right, they could be done in an hour.

[rctneil]

How did the visit to the Aquarium shop go?

[iMark]

Originally posted by Jav400:

Jim if you are looking for opinions, why don't you release a "special" beta only good for a week or so and see what people think.......................................  

yikes...the clams will end up dancing to musical playlists and opening on the hour and closing on the half hour, they might even end up being sponsored by logos *wink *wink...

maybe jim just needs a bit of a break...walk away and let it all settle a bit...we're patient...kinda...sorta....

[Tango]

Take all the time you need.

Better no clams than ugly ones.

It's only you that can decide when it looks ok to your eyes.

And if the beta period expires just release the last one with 28 days more.

[Jim Sachs]

The trip to the aquarium store didn't go well. They had sold all the clams.