Major Andrew Olmsted was a blogger and a fighter.
Unfortunately, being a fighter meant that Andrew spent time in some very dangerous places, and he was killed last Thursday while serving his country in Iraq.
Before he left, however, he penned a final post that he had asked his friend hilzoy to publish in the event that anything happened to him. The result is a touching and heartfelt look into the life of a soldier, including the quotes that he lived by, and the ideas that he died by.
It’s always good to remind yourself every once in a while of just how precious life is, so open your heart and give Andrew’s Final Post a read; because a final goodbye is as honest as anyone is ever going to be.
[Andrew Olmsted - Final Post]
The Sphere Project is a place “dedicated to the evolution of technical and creative 3D sphere design”, where 3D creatives can go to show off their handiwork.
The goal is to create a captivating and visually appealing sphere from the provided sphere scene using a 3D program and renderer of choice. Anyone is allowed to submit, provided they follow the rules, and a voting system brings the best submissions to the top. Clever ideas, thoughtful execution, technical expertise, and dazzing presentation are all considered, and the making the front page means you’re among the best of the best.
Submitted spheres can focus on modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering and compositing modifications, or a combination of any of the above, though above all, creativity and cleverness will win over most of the judges.
Why a sphere?
The sphere is arguably one of the most basic and fundamental primitives in computer graphics. Its uniformly curved structure allows for wide field of view coverage, as well as full diffuse tonal range shading. When reflective, its convex shape can reveal more of it’s surrounding environment than any other primitive, and when refractive it can bend surrounding light into a single concentrated caustic point. The sphere is an inherent form chaotically evident in nature and continually apparent in man-made designs. From the smallest atomic structures to the largest planetary globes, the sphere continues to be perhaps the most common geometric form in existence.
Think you have what it takes?
[CGSphere - Sphere Project]
[Via: Core77]
If you’re still searching and shopping for that perfect gift, then check out NOTCOT’s hand-selected list of over 350 gift ideas that have appeared in the last 30 days of their 2007 Holiday Gift Guide extravaganza.
It might be a little late to get most things shipped on time, but it’s the thought that counts; right?
[NOTCOT - Holiday Gift Guide 2007]
If you’re still looking for gift ideas for the holiday season, then check out Core77’s list of 77 Design Gifts Under $77.
It’s filled with great ideas, and the budget doesn’t limit the amount of cool that you can give, so shop away.
[Core77 Design Blog - 77 Design Gifts Under $77]
