kode80

SpaceNavigator

Ben — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:10:45 +0000

Last week I saw a recommendation on Twitter for the SpaceNavigator from 3Dconnexion. Although they have been around for a while now this was the first I’d heard of the company (a subsidiary of Logitech) or the devices but within 10 minutes I’d already placed an order.

The SpaceNavigator is a strange looking nub/dial that enables smooth simultaneous control of translation X/Y/Z and rotation X/Y/Z making it perfect for day to day 3D editing and recording camera paths. It takes practice but enables motions that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.

After checking out the developer resources it was very simple to integrate the SpaceNavigator in an Xcode test project as well which is fantastic, expect to see support in future kode80 applications.

I’m a big fan of this device!

Links:

3Dconnexion site

HoloToy update #7 approved!

Ben — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:20:35 +0000

The seventh HoloToy update has been approved and is ready for download! Hit update now to add My HoloPics and iPhone 4 head tracking to your HoloToy.

My HoloPics are your photos/images in 3D! Using the built in depth and transparency editors you can quickly create your own holograms on the device itself. Create as many HoloPics as you like and reorder/flick between them, holiday snaps will never be the same again!

When run on an iPhone 4 you now have the option of realtime head tracking using the new front facing camera. When this option is enabled HoloToy will detect your head position in relation to the screen and change the perspective accordingly. You can literally look around the 3D scenes by moving your head!

HoloToy is a universal app, this means it’s iPad version is built in. No second app to buy, just install again on your iPad to unlock the HD HoloToy. HoloToy will also render at native resolution when run on the iPhone 4 to make the best of the retina display.

Don’t have HoloToy yet? Click here to get it now!

HoloToy update #6.1 approved!

Ben — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:35:23 +0000

HoloToy version 1.06.1 has been approved and is ready for download! Hit update now to add iOS4 and iPhone 4 support to HoloToy.

HoloToy now supports multitasking when run on iOS4 and has all new high resolution UI and rendering when run on an iPhone 4 to make the best of the retina display.

See the latest HoloToy update running on an iPhone 4 in the video below:

HoloToy is a universal app, this means it’s iPad version is built in. No second app to buy, just install again on your iPad to unlock the HD HoloToy and still for only 99c!

Don’t have HoloToy yet? Click here to get it now!

HoloToy update #6 approved!

Ben — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:26:04 +0000

The sixth HoloToy update has been approved and is ready for download! Hit update now to add a new game and more to your HoloToy.

Projection Puzzle adds a virtual projector to your HoloToy! Photos are projected into the HoloRoom and can only be reconstructed by viewing from the correct angle. Create your own Projection Puzzle using photos from your photo roll. HoloToy News has also been optimized to load significantly faster.

See Projection Puzzle as well as previous HoloToy updates in action on both an iPhone and an iPad in the video below:

Image Crushr for OSX

Ben — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:13:53 +0000

The majority of mobile devices that exist today can only display a limited range of colors compared to their desktop brethren. Beautiful artwork with millions of colors can be reduced to a mess of harsh banding when viewed on the device.

Bit depth reduction with dithering is the common solution yet the number of applications that provide this capability is surprisingly low… enter Image Crushr!

Uses

Features

Download

Click here to download Image Crushr 1.0

Cost

Image Crushr is FREE! If you’d like to show your support you can check out HoloToy for iPhone/iPad: HoloToy on the AppStore

Links

Image Crushr uses the excellent Sparkle framework by Andy Matuschak for automatic updates: Sparkle Framework

The Image Crushr icon uses glyphs from the free icon set “Icon Sweets” by YummyGum: www.yummygum.nl

HoloToy update #5 approved!

Ben — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:32:43 +0000

The fifth HoloToy update has been approved and is ready for download! Hit update now to add a new game, achievements and more to your HoloToy.

CatBot Jump Alot is a score based platform game, color as many platforms as possible before the speed gets too much! This update also introduces hidden achievements across most holograms, HoloToy news with in-app commenting and support for both landscape orientations.

See CatBot Jump Alot as well as previous updates in action on both an iPhone and an iPad in the video below:

HoloToy update #4 approved!

Ben — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:30:44 +0000

The fourth HoloToy update has been approved and is now ready for download! Hit update now to add a customizable fish tank to your HoloToy.

Fish will swim around their HoloTank until fingers are placed on the glass. Choose a photo from your photo roll to accompany your new fish. Use the included template to design your very own fish.

See the new Fish Tank as well as previous updates in action on both an iPod Touch and an iPad in the videos below:

HoloToy update #3 approved!

Ben — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:15:45 +0000

I’m very happy to announce that (after a slight delay) the third HoloToy update has been approved by Apple and is now ready for download! Hit update now to add the Scarab Attack game, performance improvements and HD iPad support to your HoloToy.

Scarab Attack is an addictive game set in an Egyptian themed HoloRoom. Can you fend off the attacking scarabs as they crawl through the walls, ceiling and floor? Act quickly to increase your multiplier and beat your hiscore!

With the iPad launch came brand new versions of existing iPhone apps at an often inflated price. HoloToy is a universal app, this means it’s iPad version is built in. No second app to buy, just install again on your iPad to unlock the HD HoloToy.

This update also brings many performance tweaks resulting in HoloToy running at a solid 60fps across all devices!

See Scarab Attack as well as previous updates in action on both an iPod Touch and an iPad in the video below:

Don’t have HoloToy yet? Click here to get it now!

HoloToy update #2 approved!

Ben — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:37:27 +0000

I’m very happy to announce that the second HoloToy update has been approved by Apple and is now ready for download! Hit update now to add the HoloBall to your HoloToy.

Advanced HoloPhysics brings you the childhood classic in 3D! Move your HoloToy around to bounce the HoloBall off the 5 walls, what tricks can you do? Done playing? Prove your HoloBall skills and wall-bounce dexterity in the HoloBall challenge, shave seconds off your maneuvers and get those extra points!

Update: HoloToy is now a universal app so will run at native resolution when installed on the iPad!

See the HoloBall and previous updates in action in the videos below.

Don’t have HoloToy yet? Click here to get it now!

HoloToy update #2 submitted

Ben — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:03:27 +0000

The second HoloToy update has been submitted to Apple. What’s new in this version? HoloBall!

HoloBall is a virtual bouncy ball with the HoloRoom providing the virtual walls for you to bounce off of. Advanced HoloPhysics provide added realism beyond the 3D illusion created by HoloToy. Done playing? Prove your HoloBall skills and wall-bounce dexterity in the HoloBall challenge, shave seconds off your maneuvers and get those extra points!

HoloToy version 1.02 should be available (Apple permitting) mid-week, in the mean time check out the preview video below to see the HoloBall in action.

Don’t have HoloToy yet? Click here to get it now!