"NO ZERO DAYS"

[Faeryl]

DATE: 15-JUN-2023

Build system testing went very smoothly. Found one error and its fixed now. The builds will only trigger if there are code changes. But when a new build is ready it will not only build client and server, but also deploy that server to the cloud, ready for connection.

I'm going to start researching Unreal Metahumans, but we are not switching. This is because the Metahuman tools can be used with our existing characters and may provide good ways of doing facial movements with their new automated capture tools, as well as other benefits. Won't know yet until we try. Work begins tomorrow.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 16-JUN-2023

Played around with the metahuman character creator. It's very basic, and you can't quite get all the looks you want. Created a basic female and then researched how to scan and create characters which was incredibly simple and powerful. Might try this at some point.

The rest of the time was very annoying as I could not get my character to import due to an account issue. Unable to link our existing Quixel account to unreal, I decided to pause for today. Login token errors mean we might be better off creating a new Quixel account from scratch.

Update: Login issues resolved! Finally!

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 18-JUN-2023

Taking the weekend off for Father's Day.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 19-JUN-2023

Got the Tsi-Hu imported and started looking it over super carefully before comitting them to the project.

Also looked over some ways to deploy large language models to the cloud for more A-Luna and OP-AI research.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 20-JUN-2023

Reviewed production drawing for the standard dropship. Worked in Blender to learn how it handles UV unwrapping and baking. I think Blender has a lot of promise for our hard surface design, esp with some key plugins like boxcutter.

Still working on this month's skin. Reviewed more designs but its not where it needs to be yet. Should have something very soon.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 21-JUN-2023

Had some family medical stuff today.

Also rethinking some scheduling to get more time out of the day.

Discussed skin design some for this month as we dial in a concept.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 22-JUN-2023

We have final standard dropship concepts and have started on blocking out the 3D models with full interiors!

Also, all Tsi-Hu animations have been verified and sent off for programming wizardry.

Finally we have a skin that is coming for this month that I think many will enjoy. Images are blurred for now until release shortly!

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 23-JUN-2023

More movement ability work today. Working on sliding and debugging the physics.

Movement has been changed to allow granting of certain features likes jetpacks and gliding and sliding via movement abilities.

Movement remains core to the class but abilities sort of flag and set up parameters for the movement mode. This will be useful for crafting system that can alter these parameters.

More work done on dropship blockouts. They are being resized to allow for interiors. They getting big!

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 24-JUN-2023

Sliding is working now, but physics numbers are off. This is likely because ALS had strange expectation for numbers and we will have to retune this for the new animation system. Harry is out of the office for a week and so we will come back to this later.

Tsi-hu animations have been reviewed and we prepared a list of changes for them for the animator.

Getting mobs working well in the game is going to be our immediate focus.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 25-JUN-2023

Sunday is a rest day.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 26-JUN-2023

Time to work on the Tsi-Hu! We loaded in and evaluated all existing anims and determined which ones need root animation.

The new system of Unreal stride warping requires that we include root animation to do its magic of making feet stay planted on the ground no matter what speed they run. Our old animation system did not do this.

The red arrow in the dodge anim means we have root motion. If there is no red arrow, we have to go add it, which is a very quick change in Maya and a re-export.

We had a programmer and animator meeting today to go over everything that needs to be done!

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1082548393324326922/1123058237378412666/Dramatic.mp4

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1082548393324326922/1123058237688795257/Dodge.mp4

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 27-JUN-2023

Basic looking around working for the Tsi-Hu. We can move them like players as we test their animation system blueprint.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...0/1123346009100124231/2023-06-27_22-13-39.mp4

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 28-JUN-2023

Clean up art directories. Getting the new geesuit ready for rigging. Education day in Blender again as we explored more of its toolset. Quiet day.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 29-JUN-2023
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...0/1124052379726258186/2023-06-29_20-59-12.mp4

Working on transitions between 3 animation speeds, using blends and comparing it to discreet steps.

Goal is to have the AI specify any arbitrary game speed, and animation blueprint will produce the correct running anim that best matches the speed, using warping to ensure we don't get foot sliding.

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 30-JUN-2023

Not much to report today. Work is still ongoing on the walk transitions. Check back with us tomorrow!

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 01-JUL-2023

Okay so we have the Tsi-hu "shifting gears" through anims. But foot warping and IK is still an issue, because Unreal assumes regular legs and the Tsi-hu have "backwards" legs. Working through this now.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...0/1124794227449135227/2023-07-01_21-37-12.mp4

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 02-JUL-2023

Sunday is rest day, but our 4th of July Sale is in progress. New pet posted for just one dollar on subs! 30% off unvaulted skins and packs!

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 03-JUL-2023

We got it looking even smoother!

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...0/1125518595066179624/2023-07-03_22-03-27.mp4

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 04-JUL-2023

Hand IK placement working. More discussions about how to handle leg IK, especially on runs.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1091100549748891700/1125775036473675866/2023-07-04_15-01-42.mp4

 

[Faeryl]

DATE: 05-JUL-2023

Getting blockout rigged with Maya instead of Blender for future anims. Prepping for control rigs as well. We have all 3 stacked up here...actualy looks cool this way!