New site, new blog!

Hello friends,

Most of you probably read my blog through your RSS reader. (If anyone actually reads this at all)

Well, I redesigned everything. The last time I really did it was back in 2004. The old look got me to where I am now. I had been working on this on and off for about 6 months. Mostly taking time to learn as much as I can about actionScript 2 type stuff. It was a struggle for sure; something I wanted to overcome for a long time. I used to hate nothing more than having wacky ideas, but not being able to make them come to life.

I was lucky enough to meet and work with my pal Mason Poe. (I gots mad love for Bman too; he got me the job! Did I forget anyone? If so, I love you) He was nice enough to write Flash test and really help me reach the goal I had of being able to better understand actionScript. Now, I still have a long way to go. But, I feel a lot more comfortable than I did. Lot's of long nights, trace statements and dedication. I love this stuff.

So, without delay, I give you the new Me. Enjoy :)

500 photos on Flickr!

So my Dad scanned about 500 of our old Family photos. I wanted to see if my little widget for exporting to Flickr could take a batch that large. It only took about 15 min; 500 photos mostly taken long before I was born!

500 random Family photos. Check it out.

Amazing!

A sequence of images drawn on the back wall of the Etterbeek train station suddenly comes to life when passing by.

Etterbeek train station suddenly comes to life; check it out.

Moving eric_mc on the stage

Just some more stuff I am learning with this new Tweener class:

import caurina.transitions.Tweener;

//Move the MC on the stage:
Tweener.addTween(eric_mc, {_x:10, _y:10, time:5, transition:"linear"});

import caurina.transitions.Tweener;

Here are some basic examples using the new Tweener class. I like how things are defined and dataTyped out. All and all, I think it makes more sense than mcTween does. It will just take some time to get used to the new syntax.

import caurina.transitions.Tweener;

this.eric_mc.onRollOver = function() {
Tweener.addTween(this, {_xscale:170, _yscale:170, time:1, transition:"easeoutelastic"});
};

this.eric_mc.onRollOut = this.b1.onReleaseOutside = function() {
Tweener.addTween(this, {_xscale:100, _yscale:100, time:1, transition:"easeoutelastic"});
};

this.amanda_mc.onRollOver = function() {
Tweener.addTween(this, {_xscale:120, _yscale:120, _rotation:10, time:1});
};

this.amanda_mc.onRollOut = this.b2.onReleaseOutside = function() {
Tweener.addTween(this, {_xscale:100, _yscale:100, _rotation:0, time:1});
};

More to come as I learn more about this class.

Introducing caurina.transitions.Tweener

"To be honest, there’s still a bit left to go for Tweener to have as many features as MC Tween has. For example, Tweener doesn’t have native filter tweening, as we’re still deciding on the best syntax approach. However, at the same time, there’s a lot of positive things about Tweener, and because of this, I feel it’s about time Tweener is publicly announced. So there it is. I don’t work with MC Tween anymore, and I won’t change it anymore. It was a good extension, and it still is, but I have thought a lot about code-based tweening for the past 4 years and I have reached the conclusion that there’s a slightly better approach; that’s what I think Tweener is."

I am really excited to learn more about this new class. Has anyone else started using it yet?

Introducing caurina.transitions.Tweener

How Design Conference

"Interactive Design Studio Tour
Sunday, June 10
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

See how other design teams operate—and glean ideas for working smarter—when you take an Atlanta Studio Tour. New this year: an Interactive Tour. On this four-hour tour, we'll visit:

Cartoon Network
Monumental
Moxie Interactive
Primal Screen
Melia Design/Technologies"

Check out the: How Design Conference

New site from IQ

IQ just launched their new site. Nice work guys.

Check out: IQ Interactive

Ghetto Players by Kenny Bunch

Actually, it's more about Adult Swim Interactive Video. My Pal Kenny Bunch is up to some cool stuff. We need to go skate!

Check it out: Adult Swim Interactive Video.

Online Ad Agencies Face Shortage of Workers

" Digital ad firms are on a hiring binge as more money migrates towards Web advertising. But they're having trouble finding workers with the right mix of creative and technical skills."

Click here to learn more: Online Ad Agencies Face Shortage of Workers.

After Protest, VW Pulls 'Jumper' Spot

By Kamau High and Steve Miller/Brandweek

"NEW YORK Volkswagen today said it would pull a 30-second TV spot called "Jumper," which had drawn criticism from suicide prevention groups.

The ad, by MDC Partners' Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami, shows a man who stands on a building ledge, contemplating suicide. He abandons the notion after being informed that there are three VW models for under $17,000.

"The campaign is all about how optimism...if given a chance, can prevail. Optimism is a huge component of the VW brand. Our position has always been that the campaign was not meant to offend anyone," said client representative Keith Price. "Another element of the brand is sensitivity and with that sensitivity, we have withdrawn the spot."

The commercial, part of a rotation of three, first aired Monday and had been set to run until May. The other two spots ("Poet" and "Apocalypse," which do not contain such controversial themes) will remain on air, Price said.

The commercial was decried by several groups, including the Suicide Prevention Action Network, National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Psychiatric Association, Mental Health America and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Those organizations claimed the spot is insensitive to depressed and suicidal people.

"We commend [VW] for their actions" in pulling the ad, said Robert Gebbia, executive director of the AFSP. "We need to speak out when we're not happy, but we also need to say thank you when companies do the right thing."

The move follows General Motors' decision last Friday to edit a spot by IPG's Deutsch/LA that showed a despairing assembly line robot that dreams of flinging itself off a bridge. Following an outcry by advocacy groups, the spot, which aired on the Super Bowl, was pulled from GM Web sites and the company agreed to recast the commercial's finale. A retooled "Robot" spot will air by month's end.

VW spent slightly less than $300 million on measured media in 2006, down nearly 15 percent from the previous year, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. CP+B was awarded the business in late 2005 without a review. Havas-owned Arnold, Boston, previously handled the assignment."

Click here to learn more: view the spot

f33db2ck

Looks like Masons f33db2ck site has really taken off. Nice work man.

Learn more about f33db2ck: click me, click me!

Fuse

Still learning this stuff. So far, so good!

import com.mosesSupposes.fuse.*;
ZigoEngine.simpleSetup( Shortcuts, PennerEasing, Fuse );

Fuse.openGroup();
box1_mc.tintTo("#D5006A", 30);
box1_mc.slideTo("200", "0", 1.5, "easeInOutExpo");
box1_mc.scaleTo(200, 1.5, "easeInOutBack", .5);
Fuse.closeGroup();

// spin around
box1_mc.rotateTo(360, 1.5, "easeInOutExpo");

// restore
Fuse.openGroup();
box1_mc.colorResetTo(100, 1.75, "easeInQuad");
box1_mc.scaleTo(100, 1.25, "easeOutElastic");
Fuse.closeGroup();

Fuse.closeAndStart();

Thanks ArmChair Media

A big thanks to Stefan Kjartansson and Kevin Byrd of ArmChair Media for coming to speak to the students in my Flash 1 class tonight at The Creative Circus. Stefan was armed with a camera, so I am sure there will be some photos floating around Flickr soon. (Laughter)

Learn more about ArmChair Media: armchairmedia.com

Learning Fuse

Learning is so much fun!

import com.mosesSupposes.fuse.*;
ZigoEngine.simpleSetup( Shortcuts, PennerEasing, Fuse );

function moo(theMC):Void {

Fuse.open();
theMC.alphaTo(100, 1, "easeInQuad");
theMC.slideTo("300", null, 2, "easeInOutQuint");
theMC.slideTo("-400", null, 2, "easeInOutQuint");
theMC.fadeOut();
theMC.alphaTo(100, 1, "easeInQuad");
theMC.scaleTo(500, 1, "easeInQuad");

Fuse.closeAndStart();

}

moo(eric_mc)

Fuse

Ok, so I am starting to enjoy Fuse a little more. It's pretty cool how you can write out things at a single line and have them execute one by one. With MC Tween, I often have to use an external timer class or a delay to do such a simple task.

import com.mosesSupposes.fuse.*;
ZigoEngine.simpleSetup( Shortcuts, PennerEasing, Fuse );

eric_mc._alpha = 0;

Fuse.open();
eric_mc.alphaTo(100, 1, "easeInQuad");
eric_mc.slideTo("300", null, 2, "easeInOutQuint");
eric_mc.slideTo("-400", null, 2, "easeInOutQuint");
eric_mc.fadeOut();
eric_mc.alphaTo(100, 1, "easeInQuad");
eric_mc.scaleTo(500, 1, "easeInQuad");

Fuse.closeAndStart();

Another Fuse example:

import com.mosesSupposes.fuse.*;
ZigoEngine.register( Fuse, PennerEasing );

// build a short intro sequence to apply to box1_mc.
var f:Fuse = new Fuse();
f.label = "swoopyIntro";
f.target = box1_mc;

f.push({ delay: .25 });

// labels can be used in some methods but are mostly a convenience.
f.push({ label: "appear",
start_scale: 500,
start_alpha: 0,
time: 1.75,
ease: "easeOutBack",
trigger: .5 // advances this action early
});


// the array brackets in this action form a group of parallel tweens
f.push([
{ label: "swoop",
x: "80",
controlY: "50", // adds a bezier curve
time: 1.5,
ease: "easeInOutBack"
},

// these tweens bounce back, by using 2 cycles
{ brightOffset: 50,
rotation: 10,
ease: "easeInOutQuad",
cycles: 2,
time: .5,
delay: .25
}
]);

// a simple callback. You could also subscribe to the "onComplete" event.
f.push({ func:"trace", args:"done!" });

f.traceItems();
f.start(true); // passing true presets start props - remove it to see a change.

Jason Drakeford

My buddy Drake just put up a little portfolio site. In case you don't know, Drake is the one behind all the wacky illustrations on Super Deluxe; super talented guy.

Jason Drakeford, check it out

FOOM!

For those that know; FOOM T-shirts will be available soon!

maybe.for.you

Michael hagel is a good buddy of mine. He started his own thing. Check it out.

"Maybe.for.you is a design agency committed to applying our knowledge and skills to take any project from ordinary to extraordinary.

We are passionate about design and understand how to make it work for you and your business. We strive to create stunning, innovative, original design work based on a solid understanding of your business, that will help you meet your goals and enhance your results. We provide a range of services targeting the Web, desktops, and mobile devices."

maybe.for.you

Police Seek Killer of Homeless Woman

This happened less than a mile from where my Wife and I live; just trying to get the word out.

"Police detectives in East Point have a murder mystery on their hands. They are trying to figure out who killed a homeless woman and left her body on the grounds of a church, where shocked members discovered it as they entered the building.

It was a shocking discovery, made at a shocking location. Early Sunday morning, as members made their way into East Point’s First Baptist Church for Sunday School, they found a body lying in a breezeway, leading into the church.

“They saw the body, and thought he was asleep,” said First Baptist pastor Charles Worthy.

The medical examiner’s office has not yet identified the victim, though they said she died from blunt force trauma to the head.

As news of the gruesome discovery quick spread throughout the congregation, Worthy made sure everyone was told to pray for all parties involved.

Worthy said the victim was not a church member, but he does believe she was homeless, and he said he hopes the tragedy can get the community talking about homelessness.

“I’m hoping it will make us more aware,” Worthy said.

Meanwhile, East Point police are hoping someone in the public can help crack the case."

Murder in East Point

I love the web

Just looking over my site stats today. I noticed that a Designer living in Hong Kong had linked out my work. Thanks man. I love the power of the web, and it's ability to bring other people together from all over the world. It makes me really wonder; like how will things be 50 years from now? 100? 200?

Check out Kenny KS Wan at:

nineteeneightythree

My first Fuse

Just some stuff I was trying to learn tonight. The syntax makes sense fot the most part. Is there a site out there that breaks down all the syntax, etc? (Like McTween has)

import com.mosesSupposes.fuse.*;
ZigoEngine.simpleSetup( Shortcuts, PennerEasing );


//simple fuse examples:

//circle_mc.brightOffsetTo(100,5,null);

//circle_mc.alphaTo(0, 2, "easeInExpo");

//circle_mc.alphaTo(0, 2, "easeInExpo");

/*
FuseFMP.simpleSetup();
circle_mc.Blur_blurX = 5;
circle_mc.Blur_blurY = 0;
circle_mc.writeFilter("DropShadow")
*/

/*
FuseFMP.writeFilter(circle_mc, "Blur", { blur:0 });
ZigoEngine.doTween(circle_mc, "Blur_blurX", 50, 1, "easeInExpo");
*/

/*
var f = Fuse.open();
circle_mc.tween("_y", "10", .5);
Fuse.openGroup();
circle_mc.tween("_x", "4", .5, "easeInOutBack");
circle_mc.tween("_x", "50", .5, "easeInOutBack", .1);
Fuse.closeGroup();
circle_mc.tween("_y", "200", .5);
Fuse.closeAndStart();
*/

/*
var f:Fuse = new Fuse(
[
{ start_x : "-100", seconds : 1, delay : .25, ease : "easeOutQuint" },
{ scope : FuseFMP, func : "writeFilter", args : [box_mc, "Blur", { blur : 0 }] },
{ Blur_blurX : 20, seconds : .5, ease : "easeInQuad", trigger : true }
], // end group
// The next action happens after the trigger in the previous group.
{ Blur_blurX : 0, seconds : .3, ease : "easeOutQuad" }
);
f.target = circle_mc;
f.start();
*/