Vector Magic

I came across a web based application called Vector Magic a couple of weeks ago, and have found myself coming back to the tool more and more as of late. It seems to be a project of the Stanford University, and is hosted on their site. Basically the application offers the ability to vectorize raster images, or trace them.

This comes in handy for a few different situations - maybe you have a logo that you would like to resize without the quality loss experienced with raster based resizing. Maybe you want the vector look as an effect for an image, or maybe you want to try and vectorize some photographs just for fun, or to see what they look like. You may have tried vectorizing images through Macromedia Flash before, but Vector Magic offers greater control over the process.

Basically you upload a picture, and it will attempt to guess the pictures contents - whether its a photograph or a logo, and whether it has antialiasing at all. Also you can let it know how many colors are in the picture, and the relative quality of the image. These things all go towards a better vectorized result. After the application has done its thing, you can do minor touchups of the image or try processing it using different settings. When you are happy with the result, you can save the image as either vector based (SVG, EPS etc formats) or back as a raster (PNG, JPG etc). Quite a handy tool.

I recently used the program to Vectorize the mountain range in my logo, as for fun I decided to try and do up a 4K resolution version of it. Took a lot more time than I expected, let me tell you. Try giving Vector Magic a spin.

Final Logo

Well here's the final version I did up of the logo, I changed the colors around a bit, added a crescent moon and also made the mountain range a bit bigger, since the smaller version always seemed to look lopsided to me. I've made up a web banner version of it too, just added more stars and cloud wisps to make it scale across a wider space. Now I just have to finish off the website I've been working on...




I did my Research Exam on Friday as well, after a rushed attempt at studying through the notes the night before. It wasn't as hard as the notes suggested it might have been however, so I should have done alright on it. Which leaves me almost finished for the year which is a relief.

Evolution of a Logo

Finally had the chance to have a bit of a play around on Photoshop today, I've been trying to make a logo for myself for quite some time but always seem to run into problems. I managed to come up with a good attempt in the end, and although it isn't perfect at least I'm a lot happier with it than my previous attempts. I thought I'd put the three images up so you can see the evolution of the logo so far. I just have to ensure it doesn't look too similar to the Paramount logo, or they'll sue my ass.

The Horrors of Research

For the last week or so I have been caught in the clutches of something terrible, something that would no doubt bring insanity to the strongest willed individual. Unless, of course, you enjoy research. For me, its not so much the research itself, as we don't actually have to actualize the research yet, its just the process of writing a huge Research Proposal and preparing a presentation for it.

It seems almost ridiculous to put so much work into a proposal. It feels like having to write a novel about the novel you are planning to write, without actually writing anything that will be in the planned novel later. After a week of heavy thinking, I'm into the day before both are due without much done. I've changed my topic about four or five times now, for lack of previous research that I can add into my literature review. As it stands at the moment, I'm going for at least a C or a D, seeing as I already scored an A- for the essay and shouldn't do too poorly on the upcoming exam. So basically I just have to hand something in, as long as its not too bad. Like as long as its not a blank piece of paper... I was thinking of posting some of it up on my blog but I won't put anyone through having to read it.

I just can't wait until its over. My feelings of angst and general unhappiness seem to have extended outwards, and I find myself in the garb of an emo. Sad days...

The Move to Online Based Software

Lately more and more I have been reading about software companies planning to release the next versions of their software online, and have been wondering what the advantages would be, if any. As opposed to desktop installed software, online software seems to have a lot of flaws - slower load up times, slower performance and basically a reliance on a good internet connection. It was only after some more thinking on the topic that I realized what a good idea it was, for quite a few reasons. The first of these is that it gives software companies a goal to reach towards, it makes the products totally mobile, and it means more people can use their software. I explain each point in more detail below.

The first point, giving software companies a goal to reach towards, basically means that most software products on the market today are either reaching or have already reached full maturity - what I mean by this is that their feature set is completely full, so to make a new version of the software becomes more and more difficult. The only way they can really progress is by adding small and minute features that most users won't even need or want, thus unjustifying an unnecessary purchase. Look at all the recent versions of Microsoft Office, for instance. The only things that seem to change are the interface, and a few nondescript, non mentionable changes to the main product. Porting their software products to exist online is a new challenge, and a new way to refresh a companies software line-up. This way they can generate new markets and new revenue for the same products.

The second point is quite important as well. One of the main advantages is the mobility of online software, meaning that you only need access to an internet connection to use your software.This clears up a lot of headaches seeing as you will not need two separate copies of a program for home and work, or even your laptop/fancy cellphone etc. This way you can always bring the software with you no matter where you go, provided there is some sort of internet connection available. You will also need less space on your mobile device to use the software, allowing capable cellphones and similar devices to be able to run these products. Seeing as WiFi internet is becoming more and more widespread, it is getting a lot easier to have a constant internet connection wherever you travel.

The third point is in my eyes the most important, and that is that more people can use the software. In fact, 100% of people with internet connections will be able to use the software, regardless of what hardware or operating system they use. This will bode very well for both the Apple and Linux camps, as software will stop being made for specific hardware or operating systems. So instead of targeting the 80% of PC/Windows computer users (broad estimate) they can target instead the full 100% of the market, allowing people to use the software they require without any of the current platform related problems.

I believe the move to online based programs is a good one indeed, it just requires some thinking to pinpoint exactly what advantages will become inherent through the change. No idea of the time frame of this change, although Google already has a full office suite available, and Adobe is currently working on online ports of all its software including the popular Photoshop. It has began.

The Eventual Demise of Microsoft

Lately the web has been rampart with stories about two main topics - Ubuntu 7.10 Linux and Apple's freshly released Leopard operating system. Primarily the stories are dealing with computer users switching from their familiar Windows systems over to the new ones, with great success. I have to say, it sure has taken a lot of time for the software giant to be put in such an endangered state, but the release of their Windows Vista operating system seems to have finally put some nails into their coffin.

To be blunt, the general reaction to Vista has been cold. For an operating system that took so much time and effort to produce, you'd expect at least an improvement over Windows XP. The main things that seem to have been updated are the user interface, which although might look slightly better after getting some "inspiration" from Apple and Linux, the operating system is a juggernaut, barely running on a 512MB of RAM system and working only marginally better on more top end systems. Plain and simple, Vista is generally a hassle for computer users since it turns their computer is slugs, and offers no more of a better user experience than Windows XP. Which is one of the primary reasons people are switching over in their drovers to alternative, better operating systems.

And there's never been a better time to switch, either. The freshly released Ubuntu 7.10 is a very fine piece of software, and shows some of the maturity and polish Linux is finally beginning to show. Ubuntu comes with 3D desktop effect engine Compiz Fusion defaulted enabled for systems that can handle it, and rivals the special effects of Apple and Windows machines. Installation of programs is now very easy, and in general there isn't much a Linux beginner would have trouble with. The thing I like best about Linux is how with every release, the operating system seems to get faster and more responsive, instead of the other way around using Windows logic. With Ubuntu 7.10, Linux may finally begin to break some ground in users transitioning over from Windows.

It has taken a long time, but I believe that the Redmond software giant Microsoft may finally be on the downward spiral. Both Linux and Apple parties are capitalizing on the blunder that is Vista, and the general public is becoming better informed about the alternatives choices that are available to them. On a PC using Windows? Try out Ubuntu 7.10 or Kubuntu, the KDE based equivalent. In the market for a new computer? Try and Apple out. Chance are you'll like what you see.

Sony XDCam EX1

Sony is due to release a new camera in this November to replace the familiar Sony Z1, and it looks like its shaping up to be a very decent camera and worthy replacement. Some of the big changes to Sony's traditional camera lines are the tapeless recording medium, no SD recording or down conversion options and bigger 1/2 inch sensor chips. I thought it would be interesting to compare a few technical specifications between the Z1 and the new EX1, as well as compare them to the recently released Holy Grail of digital movie cameras, the Red One. Although some might say this is rather like comparing Apples to Oranges, both the Sony EX1 and Red One are targeting the high end Prosumer markets which will appeal to Indie film-makers, and the price range isn't too dissimilar to compare the two. The results are below: (scroll down for the table)

Camera	Sony Z1	Sony EX1	Red One	Sony CineAlta F23	Panavision Genesis
Sensor Type	3x ¼ inch CCD	3x ½ inch CMOS	1x 1.1 inch CMOS	3x 2/3 inch CCD	1x 1.1 inch CCD
Effective Pixel Count	1440 x 1080 / 1.1MP	1920 x 1080 / 2.2MP	4520 X 2540 / 12MP	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080 / 12MP
Sensitivity	F10	F10	F11	>F12	<F10
Signal/Noise Ratio	52 dB	54 dB	66 dB	62 dB	63 dB
Frame Rate Ranges	25/29.97fps	720P 1-60fps, 1080P 1-30fps	2k 1-100fps, 4k 1-60fps	1-60fps	1-50fps
Recording Formats	108050/60i 25Mb/s onto MiniDV	108050/60i 25Mb/s, 1080P 35Mb/s onto Express Cards	2540P, 4K, 2K, 1080P, 720P onto CF Cards or RAID	1080P HDCAM SR	1080P SSR1 or HDCAM SR
Color Compression	4:2:0 8 bit	4:2:0 8 bit	4:4:4 RGB 10 bit log	4:4:4 RGB 10 bit	4:4:4 RGB 10 bit log
Weight	2.2KG	2.8KG	4.5KG	5KG	6KG
Price Range	$5 000 US	$12 000 US	$17 000 US	~$80 000 US	$10 000 / Week Rental US

It's important to remember that there are a few major differences between the Sony EX1 and RedOne camera. With the EX1, you recieve an all inclusive package which includes batteries, a fixed lens, 2x 8GB Express Cards and charger etc. With the RedOne you only receive the camera, and must purchase all extras separately. There are two reasons I can think of behind this decision, the first being to keep the apparent camera price low, and the second to make the camera highly customizable and upgradable, especially in regard to changeable lenses. Thanks to DVUser (http://dvuser.co.uk) for the images and be sure to check out this in-depth article on the first impressions of the Sony EX1

Edit: I added the CineAlta F23 and Panasonic Genesis, due to their use in motion pictures. It is interesting to compare to cheaper cameras to these more professional orientated ones, as there is less of a difference than what you would expect. The new Sony EX1 compares really well to the Sony F23, as does the Red One to the Panavision Genesis, despite their major price differences.