boxes – the megastructure development blog http://blog.megastructure.org tracking construction of megaprojects Sun, 23 Dec 2018 15:54:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.2 Junctions and Overhauls [version 1.84] http://blog.megastructure.org/2009/09/junctions-and-overhauls-version-1-84/ Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:41:11 +0000 http://blog.megastructure.org/?p=98 The NoiseViewer has come a long way since its inception some months ago, but there is still much to do. The code is about to undergo another radical reconfiguration, this time extracting ourselves from the original 2d-oriented architecture, and cementing the World object as master over 3D entities.

The “ConnectingBoxes” layer has been retired, having been superseded by the JunctionBoxes layer. This is by no means a completed structure, but we are certainly getting closer:

junction boxes

Head on down to the NoiseViewer information page to grab the latest version.

]]> Disjoint sets and connectivity (version 1.83) http://blog.megastructure.org/2009/09/disjoint-sets-and-connectivity-version-1-83/ Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:47:35 +0000 http://blog.megastructure.org/?p=85 This version of the NoiseViewer provides a new layer type: ConnectingBoxes. Connecting boxes build a rudimentary network of paths throughout the visible render window. It does this by taking advantage of a data structure called Disjoint Sets, using the Union and Find algorithms. Cells try to be connected as much as they can, and paths tend to form only when needed. This behavior will surely change in future versions, but it is a nice start.

The XML format has been broken again (that is, will not read XML files generated by older versions), and will probably be broken again soon.

disjoint-connectivity

Note the “Reload defaults” button – it loads the screen you see here.

The new version is available on the download page, in Windows and OS X binaries, and source code distribution.

]]> NoiseViewer Version 1.8: leaping to the third dimension http://blog.megastructure.org/2009/08/noiseviewer-version-1-8-leaping-to-the-third-dimension/ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:47:50 +0000 http://blog.megastructure.org/?p=75 The NoiseViewer has been improved once again. Today’s version brings 3D pattern generation capability. Albeit a simple implementation, but nonetheless a start.

Building in 3D is available by choosing the “Boxes” layer type, and clicking “Change base”. (Boxes are not available as a sub-layer.) Here is a screenshot of the boxes in action. Here, their widths are controlled by an underlying Noise layer:
Improved noise-driven boxes

And here, we see noise driving two variables: width and height. This demonstrates how future layers will have a multitude of variables, each allowing a plug-in style approach to building complex patterns.

Improved noise-driven boxes with height

This version has also been built in Release mode for the first time (Windows). Among other things, performance gains a significant boost.

A great deal of code has been refactored, including the XML writer/reader. Please note that older XML files will not load in this version.

In order to download this latest version, see the information and download page.

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