Blender Render

Hello Planetarium Community:

It has been quite some time since I've posted on this blog. In that 'quite some amount of time' however I have been very busy.

I have been working on three projects.
-1: 27 Core Blender Render Farm
-2: 15 minute 3k fulldome production on the 4-H youth program

-3: A Java Application that creates gore dome construction patterns based on user input.

I will begin with the Render Farm. Without sufficient computing power, 3D animation will take forever. Forever is not a word I like to use when talking about render time. In July, I built a plywood box that houses eight computers on server-style slide mount shelves. The front is open as is the back to allow air to flow over through the case for optimum cooling. I modeled this machine after server type supercomputing clusters in slide mounts. Currently the system is running a render client called LOKI Render that manages all computers and renders content to one directory. Below is a picture of this machine codenamed AMOS.

Part II. The Renders.

I used Blender, a 3D animation software to create original planetarium fulldome content for a fundraising GALA at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Thanks to Dan Neafus and the Museum's public outreach and academic projects mission, I was able to show my content at the GALA. The production showcases the past and present of the 8 million body strong youth organization, 4-H. It also delves into the potential of fulldome education and it's powerful inspiring ability. Below are snapshots from my production 4-H Evolving.

Lightning

Dancing Figures (Particle System)

Speaking about Land Grant University system

Current Projects (Video and Image Panels)

Corn Club Projects

Canning Club Projects

Lightning Photography Project

Model Rocketry Project (Animated Video Panes)

Environmental 4-H Projects (Green Movement)

Dynamic Atmosphere (corrects with planetary rotation)

Animal Science Project

(Animated Blood Vessel Fly-Through)

4-H. One Million New Scientists. One Million New Ideas.

Nuclear Generation or Renewable Wind Energy?

Which energy source will win the betamax-vhs battle?

I almost forgot, planetariums can be FUN

Here is an image from the bubble gum drop:

The audience is placed in a glass dome, and thousands

of giant bubble gum pieces fall on the glass dome above

their head. This part of the show was to demonstrate

the entertainment value of fulldome productions.

Closing Scenes

Recap of 4-H with Logo (Animated Spotlights)

Ocean Waves (Dynamic Waves)

GORE SECTION JAVA CALCULATOR:

The Java Application I have been developing is codenamed GoreCalculator. It is a branch of my idea 'that all people should be able to create cheap, high quality planetarium domes' in a fast easy to produce way. As all enthusiast's and mathematicians know, a common planetarium dome is made from 'triangular' shaped pieces called gores.

The gore sections can only be as wide as the material you are working with. My program asks the user for the following input:

1. Dome Diameter
2. Material Width
3. Number of lateral divisions on each gore

My program also has the option to add a seam allowance. Depending on the construction method, the gores can be taped directly together (edge to edge) or melted together by a seam.

I have working JAVA code for all interested. As of now the program is strictly command line based but I am working on a GUI version. If you have any questions about my recent developments, please send me a message.

Maiden Voyage of my mirror dome system:

Star show and fulldome slideshow at a stargazing party.

Walden, CO