Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Virtual University Library Project - part 4



Earlier blog posts about the project:

Virtual University Library Project - part 1

Virtual University Library Project - part 2

Virtual University Library Project - part 3



Recently, I've made a new and better demo video, which I would like to show to you. I think it's time for me to take a little break until I'm refreshed enough to continue working on my project.

First of all, here is the video, enjoy it:



Although the virtual environment needs some improvement, for example, around the textures and models, I assume this product is far better than the earlier one, especially because now I've managed to include a counter, stairs, a painting and fences. Moreover, I've learnt to make materials in Unreal Engine 4 in a very short time, so now you can see a green surface on top of the tables instead of the previous temporary golden material.

This is a list of what I would like to achieve in the near future:
- Include more objects and improve some of the existing ones
- Paint textures with the Substance software
- Fix the lighting and the reflections
- Create a night scene with stars, the Moon and switched on lamps
- Make statues (the hardest part of project, in my opinion)
- Create books

In addition, I hope I'll be able to buy an Oculus Rift VR kit, a new laptop, a photoscanner machine and some new software, as well. I assume the scanner machine would make my work easier because it would be essential to make realistic and complex statues for the ceremonial hall.

Nevertheless, the working prototype was finished earlier than I would have thought, so my estimation so far is that I will finish my project in 2017, if things are going well.



Footnote:
3D graphics and Virtual Reality are popular now and better and better technologies are developed around the world. Unreal Engine 4 is one of the best and most highly developed technologies. Even though it was originally created for video games, it is now suitable for education, architecture, medicine, the media, and so on. I hope that my spectacular project will help the ELTE University Library, as well as other libraries in the whole world to improve their perception along with that of computer graphics.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Virtual University Library Project - part 3



Previous posts on this topic:

Virtual University Library Project - part 1

Virtual University Library Project - part 2


Recently, I have been working a lot on my project. My intention was to port the models to Unreal Engine 4 so the project could step into the next phase. Finally, I have finished working on the prototype. If I had VR glasses I would try them on to take a look around the library.

The virtual environment is very simple; it lacks a lot of objects, for example, fences, counter, stairs, paintings, frescos, texturing, and so on. I am going to build new elements step by step and replace the old things with new and better ones. I will use Substance Painter and Substance Designer, which are perfect software for creating realistic textures for video games.

Below, you can see the first test of my project; it didn't have any building elements, but the healthy, fresh and open air:


This is the second test with simple building elements:


This is the link of the video containing brief information about my project.

I think there are still a lot of tasks ahead of me, which will take a lot of time because I don't want to do a sloppy work. But Unreal Engine 4 is an amazing software; it makes the whole process a lot easier, and essentially, it makes my life better.


Sunday, July 3, 2016

Virtual University Library Project - part 2



Excuse me for the belated post. I had to study a lot for my state exam, but now I can say that I successfully graduated. Moreover, I created a few smaller projects along the line, as well, to build my portfolio. Therefore, I didn't have too much time, but I worked on this project a bit each day, too. Now I am publishing its second part, which is something. Isn't it? In any case, you can see the first post about my project here:


I'm still in the modelling period, but I can show you which part of the library has already been created. One of the most difficult parts is the main column's head (sorry, I don't know the official name for it because I'm not an art historian) full of ornaments. You can compare it to the original one. I know it's not perfect but I'll adjust it as close to reality as possible. Most of the elements were made in Maya, but some of them were made in Zbrush. I made the textures in Zbrush, which was easy because they only contain two colors (white and yellow).

Maya view

Sunday, May 1, 2016

The future of video games – part 3

This is the last part of the series of posts about the future of video games. You can visit the earlier posts: part one and part two.

Source: http://geekandsundry.com/ex-machina-a-feminist-sci-fi-thriller/

Sunday, April 24, 2016

The future of video games – part 2

This is the sequel to my previous post about the future of video games, where I wrote about story-driven or interactive movie games that can overcome linear ones. You can read the first part here.

Yes, it's a video game, not a real-life photo
Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/SM5em

Monday, April 11, 2016

The future of video games – part 1

Seeing the VR glasses-backed virtual world, the lifelike graphics and the ever-developing artificial intelligence, it would not be far-fetched to think that the future has arrived, and leisure time activities have changed. But we should not get ahead of ourselves. Let's take a look at how it goes, one by one.

Source: https://www.playstation.com/nl-nl/games/beyond-two-souls-ps3/

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Space computing

The next milestone after cloud computing?


Source: http://kaioshen.deviantart.com/art/Space-Station-550452579

An interesting vision of a new type of data storage option came to my mind. I think this could be the next milestone after cloud services, extended beyond the clouds, to space.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Now, how could libraries eliminate Hungarian poverty efficiently?

With special regard to the situation of the newest professions



Source: http://listsurge.com/top-15-reasons-education-important/
The situation is that we don't have an excellent educational system in Hungary, and this is an understatement. But how did we get here? Honestly, I don't know, but we should look to the future. Some of the newest, modern professions aren't taught in schools and universities. Naturally, programming education exists in elementary and high schools, but it is not efficient enough for it to be able to catch up to the labour market. In spite of having a lot of good programmers and information scientists, there is a large shortage in Hungary's labour market. Most of the well-educated experts are leaving our country to get better-paid jobs.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Well-developed libraries in Hungary

Excuse me for the deceiving title, I was just being sarcastic – well-developed libraries are only a dream. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame libraries but this cultural section is in a catastrophic condition because of our government. I think it should be changed significantly, what is more, urgently. I could list the causes why it is in a bad shape until tomorrow morning but these are the most important ones:
  • Libraries are very underpaid: their average take-home pay is $300 (€270) per month.
  • Their computing infrastructure is out-of-date. Most libraries have at least ten-year-old computers with Windows XP operating systems. I have never seen Apple computers in any of  the Hungarian libraries.
  • Libraries have difficulties with the deficit: very often they cannot even buy new books, not to mention computers.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Virtual University Library Project - part 1



I've started this project around the beginning of March but the idea appeared in my head in the last year. I think it may be the biggest project of my life. My goal is to create a library's beautiful virtual ceremonial hall, and at the end, my work will be compatible with VR technologies. Before my project, I didn't have any idea how to combine the two different fields: library and 3D computer graphics. I don't remember where this idea came from but I think it was a coincidence. Nevertheless, I want to tell you how I will create a virtual library in several blogposts.

I think there isn't another similar project of a virtual library anywhere in the world. Or if one exists, it must be out-of-date and made with technologies older than ten years. If you know about any up-to-date ones, please write me a comment below or e-mail me!

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Welcome


Hello, Everyone! Let me introduce myself.

My name is János Császár from Hungary. I work in the field of library and information science and I'm an enthusiast for 3D computer graphics arts, too. I graduated at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. The reason that I created my blog is that I want to tell you about some of my works, and also my opinion on the newest technologies in the world, for example, on 3D computer graphics, video games, social media, Internet safety, sciences, education, modern libraries, and the connection between these. I wrote about most of these topics in my theses. For a simpler navigation, I've created some main categories to divide the aforementioned subjects, so if you want to read about CGI, for instance, you should look for the adequate topic on the right-hand side, or if you wish to find some articles in connection with libraries, you can find them on the same side in the appropriate category.

My blog posts won't be too long for an easy reading and to not waste your time. I promise.

I hope you'll consider my blog useful. And if you want to contact me, please write comments or e-mail me! Have a good reading!

Regards,
János Császár
janoscs88@gmail.com
My LinkedIn profile