iPhone development: Objective C

hmm.. property has to be defined after interface

eg.:

@interface MyViewController : UIViewController {
UITextField *textField;
UILabel *label;
NSString *string;
}
@property (nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UITextField *textField;
@property (nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UILabel *label;
@property (nonatomic, copy) NSString *string;

- (IBAction) changeGreeting: (id) sender;


NOT

@property (nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UITextField *textField;
@property (nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UILabel *label;
@property (nonatomic, copy) NSString *string;

- (IBAction) changeGreeting: (id) sender;
@interface MyViewController : UIViewController {
UITextField *textField;
UILabel *label;
NSString *string;
}


to use these in the .m files
must use @synthesize
eg.:
@synthesize textField;
@synthesize label;
@synthesize string;

Flash: RSS + spring model

RSS:
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIFILES/rss/break_lifestyle.xml
http://feeds.feedburner.com/StraitsTimesInteractive-Lifestyle

Demo: http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/rss_elastic.html

PHP: yahoo finance to xml

wrote a simple PHP script to get quotes data from yahoo finance and format it into XML format.

sample: http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/stocks.php?s=adbe,goog,aapl,msft

OR



references:
http://www.gummy-stuff.org/Yahoo-data.htm

Flash: Weather RSS feed

Flash & XML: namespace

sample RSS feed: http://weather.yahooapis.com/forecastrss?w=1062605&u=c

to access elements that are using namespace.
eg.:

 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes" ?>
 <rss version="2.0" xmlns:yweather="http://xml.weather.yahoo.com/ns/rss/1.0" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#">
 <channel>
 ...
 <item>
 ...
  <yweather:condition text="Partly Cloudy" code="30" temp="31" date="Sun, 25 Jul 2010 7:00 pm SGT" />
 ...
  </item>
 ...
  </channel>
  </rss>

gotta use the Namespace class and the :: operator

eg.:

var xml:XML = new XML(loader.data);
var ns:Namespace = xml.namespace("yweather");
trace(xml.channel.item.ns::condition.@text);

Flash Particles effect

Novint Falcon used in Flash

Getting x, y, z coordinates and buttons status:


Using Flash to output force feedback to haptic device:

winsock 2: recv with select

needed to use recv in synchronous mode. but it is a blocking call.
so google a bit and found select.

code segment:

fd_set sockets;
TIMEVAL waitTime;

void Receive()
{
 // gotta call select() to check if there is incoming packet
  sockets.fd_count = 1;
 sockets.fd_array[0] = ClientSocket;

// time to expire for select call. since it is blocking too.
  waitTime.tv_sec = 0; // seconds
 waitTime.tv_usec = 100; // micro seconds

 // check if any of the listening sockets has incoming data
// returns number of sockets in fd_set that has incoming data
 int result = select(NULL, &sockets, NULL, NULL, &waitTime);

 int iResult = result;
 if(result > 0)
 {
  // blocking call
  iResult = recv(ClientSocket, recvbuf, recvbuflen, 0);
  if(iResult > 0)
  {
   printf("Bytes received: %d\n", iResult);
   printf("Recv: %s\n", recvbuf);
  }
  else if(iResult == 0)
  {
   //printf("Nothing received\n");
  }
  else 
  {
   printf("recv failed: %d\n", WSAGetLastError());
  }
 }
 return iResult;
}

libxml2: XML parsing using C/C++

http://www.xmlsoft.org/

require some modification:
xmlversion.h

/**
 * LIBXML_ICONV_ENABLED:
 *
 * Whether iconv support is available
 */
#if 0 // instead of 1
#define LIBXML_ICONV_ENABLED
#endif

iconv.dll required. got it at: http://www.gnupg.org/download/iconv.en.html

xmlTextReaderPtr reader;
 char xml[200] = "<root><child1><child2 attr=\"123\" attr2=\"test\">hello world</child2></child1></root>";
 printf("%s\n", xml);
 cout << "Read XML from memory...\n";
 reader = xmlReaderForMemory(xml, strlen(xml), "", NULL, 0);
 if (reader != NULL) {
  // loop to read nodes
  int ret;
  const xmlChar *name, *value;
  ret = xmlTextReaderRead(reader);
  while(ret == 1)
  {
   name = xmlTextReaderConstName(reader);
   value = xmlTextReaderConstValue(reader);
   printf("%s=%s\n", name, value);

// attributes
   ret = xmlTextReaderHasAttributes(reader);
   if(ret == 1)
   {
    // has attributes
    attrName = xmlCharStrdup("attr");
    attrValue = xmlTextReaderGetAttribute(reader, attrName);
    int attr = atoi((const char *) attrValue);

    printf("attr=%d\n", attr);

   }

   ret = xmlTextReaderRead(reader);
  }
  
  cout << "Freeing XML reader...\n";
        xmlFreeTextReader(reader);

    }

Wiimote with 3D interaction

OpenGL: Stereoscopic rendering

Source: http://www.orthostereo.com/geometryopengl.html

Example:

GLvoid display(GLvoid)
{
  glDrawBuffer(GL_BACK);                                   //draw into both back buffers
  glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT | GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);      //clear color and depth buffers

  glDrawBuffer(GL_BACK_LEFT);                              //draw into back left buffer
  glMatrixMode(GL_MODELVIEW);
  glLoadIdentity();                                        //reset modelview matrix
  gluLookAt(-IOD/2,                                        //set camera position  x=-IOD/2
            0.0,                                           //                     y=0.0
            0.0,                                           //                     z=0.0
            0.0,                                           //set camera "look at" x=0.0
            0.0,                                           //                     y=0.0
            screenZ,                                       //                     z=screenplane
            0.0,                                           //set camera up vector x=0.0
            1.0,                                           //                     y=1.0
            0.0);                                          //                     z=0.0
  
  glPushMatrix();
  {
    glTranslatef(0.0, 0.0, depthZ);                        //translate to screenplane
    drawscene();
  }
  glPopMatrix();

  glDrawBuffer(GL_BACK_RIGHT);                             //draw into back right buffer
  glMatrixMode(GL_MODELVIEW);
  glLoadIdentity();                                        //reset modelview matrix
  gluLookAt(IOD/2, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, screenZ,            //as for left buffer with camera position at:
            0.0, 1.0, 0.0);                                //                     (IOD/2, 0.0, 0.0)

  glPushMatrix();
  {
    glTranslatef(0.0, 0.0, depthZ);                        //translate to screenplane
    drawscene();
  }
  glPopMatrix();
  
  glutSwapBuffers();
}

XNA: higher refresh rate

public Game1()
{
graphics = new GraphicsDeviceManager(this);
Content.RootDirectory = "Content";
this.TargetElapsedTime = TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(8);
this.IsFixedTimeStep = false;
graphics.SynchronizeWithVerticalRetrace = false;
this.IsMouseVisible = true;

}

XNA: 3D and 2D

Gotta reset settings when mixing 3D and 2D content

http://forums.xna.com/forums/t/48583.aspx

eg.:

// to reset settings for 3D drawing
            graphics.GraphicsDevice.RenderState.DepthBufferEnable = true;
            graphics.GraphicsDevice.RenderState.AlphaBlendEnable = false;
            graphics.GraphicsDevice.RenderState.AlphaTestEnable = false; 

            DrawModel(gameShip);
            
            spriteBatch.Begin();

            // Draw Hello World
            string output = "FPS: " + fps;

            // Find the center of the string
            //Vector2 FontOrigin = Font1.MeasureString(output) / 2;
            Vector2 FontOrigin = FontPos;
            // Draw the string
            //spriteBatch.DrawString(Font1, output, FontPos, Color.LightGreen,
              //  0, FontOrigin, 1.0f, SpriteEffects.None, 0.5f);
            spriteBatch.DrawString(Font1, output, FontPos, Color.LightGreen);
            spriteBatch.End();

C++: cin & gets

hmmm.. couldn't get cin and gets to work together.
if cin is used before gets, gets will not wait for user input get the string, due to the "\n" character.
if it's the other way round, it will work. but this is not useful in the general sense if your program needs both string and number input.

so in general, use gets and then use "stdlib.h" data conversion functions, eg.: atoi, string -> int

Example:

/*
simple C++ program
*/

#include <iostream>
#include <cstdio>
#include <cstring>
#include <stdlib.h>
using namespace std;

// a c++ program starts with main

int main()
{
 int score;
 int i;
 char str[200];
 char c;
 c = 'c';
 
 cout << "Enter a number from 1 to 10: " ;
 gets_s(str);
 score = atoi(str);

 cout << "Enter your name: ";
 gets_s( str);
 for(i = 0; i<score; i++){
  cout << c <<"++ is cool and so is " << str << "; score: " << score << "\n";
 }
 return 0;
}

panoramic pic - 1st attempt

sigh.. took the shots in a rush with a baby in the babybjorn tugging at the camera.
exposure inconsistent, horizon tilted, people moving and thus at different locations in different shots, etc.

3ds max plugin wizard with visual studio 2008 express

1a. Copy the 3ds "maxsdk" to D:\ drive or other location where there are no user permission issues.

1. Open the 3dsmaxPluginWizard.vsz file (in the 3dsmaxPluginWizard directory root) in a text editor and edit the ABSOLUTE PATH parameter to reflect the new location of the 3dsmaxPluginWizard root directory. Do not add a backslash after the directory name.

Param="ABSOLUTE_PATH = [Absolute Path Location of 3dsmaxPluginWizard Root Directory]"

1b. Edit 3dsmaxPluginWizard.vsz with a text editor, eg.: Notepad.
change line 2: Wizard=VsWizard.VsWizardEngine.9.0

2. Copy the following files from the 3dsmaxPluginWizard root to the 'VC\VCProjects' directory under your Visual Studio installation (e.g. C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\VC\VCProjects):

3dsmaxPluginWizard.ico
3dsmaxPluginWizard.vsdir
3dsmaxPluginWizard.vsz

If you are using Visual Studio Express Edition, you need to copy the files listed above to the 'VC\Express\VCProjects' folder.


3. At this point the 3ds Max Plugin Wizard project should appear under File menu:New:Projects:Visual C++ Projects in Visual Studio.

CSS: rounded edge / corner box

CSS:

.mainbody {
 border-right-width: 1px;
 border-left-width: 1px;
 border-right-style: solid;
 border-left-style: solid;
 border-right-color: #CCC;
 border-left-color: #CCC;
 padding-right: 10px;
 padding-left: 10px;
}
.topcenter {
 border-top-width: 1px;
 border-top-style: solid;
 border-top-color: #CCC;
}
.bottomcenter {
 border-bottom-width: 1px;
 border-bottom-style: solid;
 border-bottom-color: #CCC;
 height: 4px;
}
.topleft {
 background-image: url(images/corners_topleft.gif);
 background-repeat: no-repeat;
 background-position: left top;
 height: 5px;
 width: 5px;
 float: left;
}
.topright {
 background-image: url(images/corners_topright.gif);
 background-position: right top;
 float: right;
 background-repeat: no-repeat;
 height: 5px;
 width: 5px;
}
.bottomright {
 background-image: url(images/corners_bottomright.gif);
 background-repeat: no-repeat;
 background-position: right top;
 float: right;
 height: 5px;
 width: 5px;
}
.bottomleft {
 background-image: url(images/corners_bottomleft.gif);
 background-repeat: no-repeat;
 background-position: left top;
 height: 5px;
 width: 5px;
 float: left;
}
.topbottom {
 height: 5px;
}

HTML:

<div>
<div class="topbottom">
<div class="topleft"></div>
<div class="topright"></div>
<div class="topcenter"></div>
</div>
<div class="mainbody">content</div>
<div class="topbottom">
<div class="bottomleft"></div>
<div class="bottomright"></div>
<div class="bottomcenter"></div>
</div>
</div>

Maya Plugin wizard for Visual C++ express edition 2008 setup

1. Unzip the MayaPluginWizard2.0.zip file in the maya installation folder, eg.: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2008\devkit\pluginwizard

2. Copy the following files to the "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\VC\Express\VCProjects" directory:
MayaPluginWizard.vsdir
MayaPluginWizard.vsz
MayaPluginWizard.ico

2b. Edit MayaPluginWizard.vsz with a text editor, eg.: Notepad.
change line 2: Wizard=VsWizard.VsWizardEngine.9.0

2c. create a folder "MayaPlugInWizard" in "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\VC\Express\VCProjects"

2d. move "MayaPluginWizard.vsdir" into this new folder.

3. Copy the "MayaPluginWizard" directory to "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\VC\VCWizards".

4. Start Microsoft Visual Studio 8 and invoke File -> New -> Project -> Visual C++ Projects and select MayaPluginWizard.

5. Enter a name and solution name and select the OK button.

6. Fill in the information for the "Plug-in setup" screen and then select the "Plug-in type" and "Included libraries" links to also enter the required information.

7. The project will be created and then the solution can updated and built.

Simple Stereo 3d Anaglpyh example

Download FLA

import flash.display.*;
import flash.events.*;
import flash.geom.*;
import flash.utils.*;

// Picture is a movie clip symbol in the Library
var loader:Picture = new Picture();
var loader2:Picture = new Picture();
var scene:Sprite = new Sprite();  

// for drawing scene from left eye view
var left:Bitmap = new Bitmap();
// for drawing scene from right eye view
var right:Bitmap = new Bitmap();
// background for correct blending
var bg:Sprite = new Sprite();

var leftData:BitmapData = new BitmapData(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);
var rightData:BitmapData = new BitmapData(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);

var distance:Number = 4; // left-right eye distance


init();
prepareStereo();

function prepareStereo():void
{
 left.blendMode = BlendMode.SCREEN;
 // right eye = green and blue channel
 right.transform.colorTransform = new ColorTransform(0, 1, 1, 1);
 // left eye = red channel
 left.transform.colorTransform = new ColorTransform(1, 0, 0, 1);
 left.bitmapData = leftData;
 right.bitmapData = rightData;
 setBackground();
 this.addChild(right);
 this.addChild(left);
 // set the UI textbox and label to the top
 this.setChildIndex(ui_mc, this.numChildren-1);
}
function setBackground(color:int = 0):void{
 bg.graphics.beginFill(color);
 bg.graphics.drawRect(-2000, -2000, 4000, 4000);
}
function init():void{
 loader.x = 200;
 loader.y = 200;
 loader2.y = 200;
 loader2.z = 300;
 stage.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_MOVE, move);
 this.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, update);
 scene.addChild(bg);
 
 scene.addChild(loader2);
 scene.addChild(loader);
 ui_mc.distance_txt.text = String(distance);
}
function update(e:Event):void{
 // clear screen
 rightData.fillRect(rightData.rect, 0xFFFFFF);
 leftData.fillRect(rightData.rect, 0xFFFFFF);
 distance = Number(ui_mc.distance_txt.text);
 loader.x -= distance / 2; // move scene to the left for right eye
 loader2.x -= distance / 2;
 rightData.draw(scene);
 loader.x += distance; // move scene to the right for left eye
 loader2.x += distance;
 leftData.draw(scene);
 loader.x -= distance / 2; // move scene back to original position
 loader2.x -= distance / 2;
}
function move(e:MouseEvent):void
{
 loader.rotationY = (mouseY*2/stage.stageHeight - 1) * 60;
 loader2.rotationY = (1-mouseY*2/stage.stageHeight) * 60;
 loader.x = stage.stageWidth - mouseX;
 loader2.x = mouseX;
}
 

EasyPHP issues with Windows 7

Thanks to Ryan for the following post:
http://ryan.rawswift.com/2009/09/20/easyphp-on-64-bit-windows-7-how-to-fix-apache-and-mysql-problem/

summary of the above post:
issue 1 for Apache:
Apache cannot be runned: another Web server use the Web port
or port is blocked by firewall.
solution:
- Click the EasyPHP icon beside “Apache” button.
- Click “Configure” then click “EasyPHP“.
- Uncheck “Check server’s TCP port before starting” then click “Apply” button and then “Close” button.
- Click “Apache” button and then click “Start“.

issue 2 for MySQL:
Unexpected end of MySql... See log file?
solution:
- Go to “Computer“, open/view Drive C, then double click “Program Files (x86)“.
- Right click on “EasyPHP5.3.0” folder then click “Properties“.
- On “Security” tab click “Edit…” button.
- Select the user that you are currently using.
- Under “Permissions for Users” box, tick “Full control” on “Allow” column.
- And then click “OK” button to apply the changes.

Thanks, Ryan. it works for me.

Flash: Matrix calculation

FlashVars: sending variables into Flash from HTML/PHP

in HTML containing SWF:
...
AC_FL_RunContent(
...,
'flashVars','myVariable=<?php echo((isset($_GET['myVariable'])) ? $_GET['myVariable'] : ""); ?>'
); //end AC code

...
<param name="movie" value="live_stream.swf?myVariable=<?php echo((isset($_GET['myVariable'])) ? $_GET['myVariable'] : ""); ?>" />
<embed src="live_stream.swf?src=<?php echo((isset($_GET['myVariable'])) ? $_GET['myVariable'] : ""); ?>" ... >

in FLA/AS:
access variable thru:
this.loaderInfo.parameters["myVariable"]

Webcam: motion interactive art demo

Flash: Webcam motion detection

Using edge detection, thresholding, k-means clustering

http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/webcam/motion/

Flash 10, BSP, Stereo 3D, Anaglyph

http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/flash3d/anaglyph/

Wii Fit balance board interactive art

Wiimote interactive art

Plumbing experience - changing fill valve of toilet bowl

It all started with water leak from the back of the toilet bowl. then further investigation proved that the bottom inlet valve where the water enters to fill the toilet bowl after a flush is not functioning after 6 yrs of usage. somehow the water will seep in and water level will go beyond the drainage hole at the back hence the wet toilet floor at the back of the toilet bowl.

so gotta go spend $12 on the new valve to replace the original Fluidmaster. then realise need a bigger plier so spend another $18 to get the big big pliers to unscrew that white plastic nut at the bottom of the valve.

so the procedure can be found on youtube:


now to wait til next day to see if new valve is working fine

Flex: K-means algorithm in AS3

Move mouse within white canvas to collect mouse (x, y) data.
Enter the number of clusters to group the data.
Click "Cluster" to cluster mouse data
Click "Reset" to clear all previous data

url: http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/gesture/GestureApp.html

Flash, AIR, ActionScript: File & FileStream

Cannot write to filesystem at File.applicationDirectory
But yet you can write using File.applicationDirectory.nativePath

To serialise an object of a custom class,
1) use flash.net.registerClassAlias( aliasName:String, classObject:Class)
to register the class before writing or reading
2) implement IExternalizable to your custom class
- readExternal(input:IDataInput):void
- writeExternal(output:IDataOutput):void
- Alternatively, you can use public fields in the custom class. But that is not entirely recommended for real world application.

import flash.filesystem.*;
import flash.net.*;

var a:A = new A();
...
...

function write():void{
  registerClassAlias("A", A);
  fileStream.open(file, FileMode.UPDATE);
  fileStream.writeObject(a);
  fileStream.close();
}
function read():void{
  fileStream.open(file, FileMode.READ);
  var o:A = fileStream.readObject() as A;
  o.c();
  fileStream.close();
}

/********************
   class A
********************/
import flash.utils.*;
 
public class A implements IExternalizable
{
  var b:int = 10;
  public function c():void{
   trace(b);
  }
  public function readExternal(input:IDataInput):void
  {
    b = input.readInt();
  }
  public function writeExternal(output:IDataOutput):void
  {
    output.writeInt(b);
  }
}

Wii remote libraries

Wiigee - A Java-based gesture recognition library for the Wii remote
Background Tech Info:
http://www.wiigee.org/development/background/background.html

wiiremotej
http://www.world-of-cha0s.hostrocket.com/WiiRemoteJ/
http://www.world-of-cha0s.hostrocket.com/WiiRemoteJ/docs.zip.gz
http://www.wiili.com/forum/wiiremotej-f68.html

Managed library for wii remote
http://www.codeplex.com/WiimoteLib
http://blogs.msdn.com/coding4fun/archive/2007/03/14/1879033.aspx

Flash SWF in Flex

Interestingly, got stuck at an application domain issue.
Did a Flex SWC library using Flex builder.
Used the SWC in Flash CS4. no issue. SWF created.
Loaded SWF into a flex mxml app using Loader. the app domain of the loader is different from the app domain of the flex app. had used Application.currentDomain to format the LoaderContext. http://help.adobe.com/en_US/ActionScript/3.0_ProgrammingAS3/WS5b3ccc516d4fbf351e63e3d118a9b90204-7e07.html
it just doesn't work.

However, the LoaderContext works in Flash CS4. seems that the context is dependent on how the SWF is created. looks like that's the only way, and have to endure without code hinting in flash CS4.

Tried using Flex component library for CS4. still doesn't work.

WPF: rendering & timer

strange that there's a 24fps limit even on DispatcherTimer

have to use a thread to force a fast refresh rate

partial code:

bool running = true;
public delegate void updateDelegate();


public Window1(){
Thread t = new Thread(new ThreadStart(Run));
t.Start();
}

void Run()
{
while (running)
{

this.Dispatcher.Invoke(new updateDelegate(update), DispatcherPriority.Normal);
Thread.Sleep(5);
}
Console.WriteLine("ended thread");
}

void Window1_Closing(object sender, System.ComponentModel.CancelEventArgs e)
{
running = false;
}
void update()
{
this.InvalidateVisual();
}

maya + python: UI

cubeHt = 2
rgb = [0.5, 0.5, 0.5]

# functions
def updateSlider(*args):
    intSlider(slider, value = int(args[0]), e=True);
def updateTxt(*args):
    intField(txt, value = int(args[0]), e=True);
def buttonPush(*args):
    print(str(args))
    n = intField(txt, q=True, value=True)
    createCubes(n)
def createCubes(n):
    i=0
    while(i<n):
        names = polyCube();
        move((i-n/2)*2, cubeHt, 0, names[0]);
        #apply material
        sets( names[0], e=True, forceElement=shadingGroup[0] )
        i= i+1
def newFile(*args):
    init()
def colorUpdate(*args):
    rgb = colorSliderGrp(color, q=True, rgb=True)
    print(shadingGroup[1])
    setAttr(shadingGroup[1]+".diffuse" , rgb[0], rgb[1], rgb[2], type='double3' ) ;
    
def createMaterials():
    # set up ambient occlusion for mental ray
    material = shadingNode('mib_illum_lambert', asShader=True)
    texture = shadingNode('mib_amb_occlusion', asShader=True)
    connectAttr(texture + '.outValue', material + '.ambient', f=True );

    # set up shading group, connect material to this group and apply group to cube object
    group = sets(  renderable=True, empty=True )
    connectAttr( material+".outValue", group+".miMaterialShader", force=True)    
    setAttr(material+".ambience", 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, type='double3' ) ;
    setAttr(material+".diffuse" , 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, type='double3' ) ;
    result = [group, material, texture]
    return result
def createPlane():
    names = polyPlane( w=20, h=20)
    white = createMaterials()
    sets( names[0], e=True, forceElement=white[0] )
def init():
    # new file
    file(new=True, force=True)
    # create a plane
    createPlane()
    shadingGroup = createMaterials()

init()
result = promptDialog(
  title='Welcome',
  message='Enter Name:',
  button=['OK', 'Cancel'],
  defaultButton='OK',
  cancelButton='Cancel',
  dismissString='Cancel')

if (result == 'OK'):
    name = promptDialog(query=True, text=True)
    confirmDialog( title='Welcome', message='Welcome, ' + name, button=['OK'] )

    
# create a window
w = 400
h = 240
win = window( title="Boon's UI", iconName='TBY', widthHeight=(w, h) )
c1 = columnLayout( columnAttach=('both', 5), rowSpacing=5, adjustableColumn=True )
r1 = rowLayout( numberOfColumns=3, parent=c1)
text( label='Number of cubes')
txt = intField(value=1, changeCommand=updateSlider)
slider = intSlider(min=0, max=10, value=1, step=1,  changeCommand=updateTxt)
color = colorSliderGrp( parent=c1, label='Color of cube', rgb=(1, 1, 1) ,changeCommand=colorUpdate)
button(parent=c1, label='Create cubes', command=buttonPush )
button(parent=c1, label='New File', command=newFile )
showWindow(win)

Flex: charting

MXML:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<mx:WindowedApplication xmlns:mx="http://www.adobe.com/2006/mxml" layout="absolute">
 <mx:Script source="chart.as" />
 <mx:LineChart x="62" y="78" id="linechart1" dataProvider="{expenses}">
  <mx:horizontalAxis>
           <mx:CategoryAxis
                dataProvider="{expenses}"
                categoryField="Month"
           />
        </mx:horizontalAxis>
  <mx:series>
   <mx:LineSeries displayName="Series 1" yField="Expenses" xField="Month" sortOnXField="true"/>
  </mx:series>
 </mx:LineChart>
 <mx:Legend dataProvider="{linechart1}"/>
 
</mx:WindowedApplication>

AS:

import mx.collections.*;
[Bindable]
 private var expenses:ArrayCollection = new ArrayCollection([
    {Month:"January", Profit:2000, Expenses:1500, Amount:450},
    {Month:"February", Profit:1000, Expenses:200, Amount:600},
    {Month:"March", Profit:1500, Expenses:500, Amount:300},
    {Month:"April", Profit:500, Expenses:300, Amount:500},
    {Month:"May", Profit:1000, Expenses:450, Amount:250},
    {Month:"June", Profit:2000, Expenses:500, Amount:700}
 ]);

Blogger: CSS not loaded & image upload not working

been getting the following errors:
Message: 'Textbar' is undefined
Line: 202
Char: 5
Code: 0
URI: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8001423862883592815


Message: Object doesn't support this property or method
Line: 385
Char: 7
Code: 0
URI: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8001423862883592815


Message: Object expected
Line: 233
Char: 1
Code: 0
URI: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8001423862883592815

Error: Detect is not defined

Source File: http://www.blogger.com/static/v1/v-app/scripts/2280349093-post.images.js

Line: 214

sigh. search the internet.
strange solution: clear all cache in browser, and add the proxy server setting in the browser.

maya + python: mental ray nodes

# set up ambient occlusion for mental ray
material = shadingNode('mib_illum_lambert', asShader=True)
texture = shadingNode('mib_amb_occlusion', asShader=True)
connectAttr(texture + '.outValue', material + '.ambient', f=True );

# set up shading group, connect material to this group and apply group to cube object
group = 'mibMaterialGroup'
sets( name=group, renderable=True, empty=True )
connectAttr( material+".outValue", group+".miMaterialShader", force=True)
sets( cube, e=True, forceElement=group )
setAttr(material+".ambience", 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, type='double3' ) ;
setAttr(material+".diffuse" , 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, type='double3' ) ;

python+maya: animation

from maya.cmds import *
import random
import math

# Delete any existing scene
file(newFile=True, force=True)

names = sphere(r=10)
s = names[0] # object name
# call python script procedure haha() in anim.py module
expression(o=s, s='python("anim.haha()")', ae=True)
playbackOptions( minTime='0sec', maxTime='10sec', loop='continuous')
play( state=True )
viewFit()

# create a function to run every frame
def haha():
    x = getAttr(s + ".translateX")
    #print(x)
    t = currentTime(query=True)
    #print(t)
    x = 50* math.cos(math.pi * t / 120)
    # setAttr(s + ".translateX", x);
    setAttr(s + ".translate", x, 0, 0);

Apparently, must Bake Simulation before rendering. no dynamic content when rendering
Edit > Keys > Bake Simulation

Strange. some bug. in Render option > Common > End Frame. if i key in 240, it will reset to 10. but if i key in 100 first, it will accept. and then 240, it will accept. ???

python + maya: lighting

# create ambient light
light = ambientLight(intensity=0.4, softShadow=True, useRayTraceShadows=True)
# Create a directional light
#lightDir = directionalLight(rotation=(45, 30, 15))
lightDir = directionalLight(intensity=0.9, softShadow=True, useRayTraceShadows=True)

rotate(-60, 45, 0, lightDir);

# fit scene in active camera
viewFit();

python + maya: shading

can also use the following commands:
cmds.sets( name='redMaterialGroup', renderable=True, empty=True )
cmds.shadingNode( 'phong', name='redShader', asShader=True )
cmds.setAttr( 'redShader.color', 1, 0, 0, type='double3' )
cmds.surfaceShaderList( 'redShader', add='redMaterialGroup' )
cmds.sets( 'plane1', e=True, forceElement='redMaterialGroup' )

i=0
n = 50
limit = 20
lamb = []
lambSG = []
while i< n:
    size = random.uniform(0.1, 5)
    names = polyCube(o=True, w=size, h=size, d=size)
    k=0
    for name in names:
        print(str(k) + ": " + name)
        k = k + 1
    cube = names[0] # object name
    node = names[1] # node name

    lamb=lamb + [createNode('lambert', n=('lamb' + str(i)))]; # create lambert shader node
    lambSG= lambSG + [sets(n='lambSG'+str(i), empty=True, r=True, nss=True )] # create an empty shading group
    connectAttr( lamb[i]+".outColor", lambSG[i]+".surfaceShader", force=True) # connect attribute

    r = random.uniform(0, 1)
    g = random.uniform(0, 1)
    b = random.uniform(0, 1)

    setAttr(lamb[i]+".color", r, g, b, type='double3' ); # set to random colour
    sets(cube, fe=lambSG[i]) # set cube to have the above shading group

    move(random.uniform(-limit, limit),
         random.uniform(-limit, limit),
         random.uniform(-limit, limit), cube, r=True) 
    i = i+1

randomise cubes

file(f=True, new=True); # new file
i=0
n = 10
while i< n:
    size = random.uniform(0.1, 5)
    names = polyCube(o=True, w=size, h=size, d=size)
    cube = names[0]
    move(random.uniform(-5, 5),
         random.uniform(-5, 5),
         random.uniform(-5, 5), cube, r=True) 
    i = i+1

Maya and Python - 1st try

C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\maya\{version}\Maya.env
PYTHONPATH="C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\maya\scripts"
* for Mac OS, DON'T use double quotes "..."
instead eg.: PYTHONPATH = /Users/username/Documents/maya/scripts

default for Mac OSX: ~/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya//scripts

start new hello.py file
put into the "scripts" folder

start maya. open Script Editor window
import hello
(to reload, use reload(hello))

.pyc compiled python also works in the scripts folder

sample py code:
print("hello world");
from maya.cmds import *
file(f=True, new=True); # new file
#select(all=True) # select all objects
#delete(all=True) # delete all objects. not supported anymore. Use "file -f -new;" instead.
# create a polygon cube
# store all names
names = polyCube(ch=True, o=True,w=5.038671,h=3.648038,d=3.788829,cuv=4)
# use for loop to print out the object and node name
#for s in names:
# print(s);
cube = names[0]
print(cube)
move(10, 0, 0, cube, r=True) # move (10, 0, 0), note that the order of arguments is different from MEL

just realised from the maya help doc:
"Objects and arguments are passed to commands as they would be in MEL, but they must be passed in the following order:

command arguments object flags/named arguments

This is different from MEL where the ordering requires that objects appear at the end of the argument list. However, Python requires that named arguments come after all other arguments."
eg.: move(10, 0, 0, cube, r=True) # python
MEL: move -r 10 0 0 cube

&

"Maya Python implementation requires you to assign a boolean argument to those flags that do not normally take any arguments."
eg.: file(f=True, new=True); # python
MEL: file -f -new

save the following python script on shelf:
import hello
reload(hello)

Script Editor > File > Save Script to Shelf...
this will facilitate easier execution of the hello.py script

Recertified Flash and Dreamweaver CS4 ACE

Yay! passed the recertification exam for Flash and Dreamweaver CS4 ACE

1st try at Python

# for comments
variables. easy.
concatenating strings a bit more troublesome.
eg.:
i = 1.23
s = "hello"
a = s + i
will give error
have to convert to string
a = s + str(i)

b = True
b = not b #store False. same as b = !b

if-else conditions

>>> if x < 0:
...      x = 0
...      print 'Negative changed to zero'
... elif x == 0:
...      print 'Zero'
... elif x == 1:
...      print 'Single'
... else:
...      print 'More'
...

while loop still ok. but must get used to the : at the back
eg.:

i = 0
while i<= 10: # : is equivalent of starting a curly brace {
   print i   # identation used to indicate within while loop
   i = i + 1 # what happened to ++, --?!

for loop v different.

>>> # Measure some strings:
... a = ['cat', 'window', 'defenestrate']
>>> for x in a:
...     print x, len(x)

OR

for i in range(10):
    print i # print 0, 1, 2,..., 9

functions
eg.:

def functionName():
  print "running in function"

classes and objects

class MyClass:
   property = 1 # static variable

   self.myVar = "hello" # instance variable
   def __init__(self, p): # contructor, self = this
         self.property = p

   def method1(self): # note the need for self, even with no arguments/parameters
      print "running method"

   @staticmethod
   def staticMethod2(args, arg2):
      print "call me by classname, eg.: MyClass.staticMethod2(1,2)"

x = MyClass() # instantiate
print x.property
x.method1()

class DerivedClass(MyClass): # inheritance
  newProperty = 2

class SubSubClass(Class1, Class2, Class3): # multiple inheritance supported
  # fields & methods

modules
save into separate .py files
and then import
using import hello (if module is hello.py)
or use from hello import *

Flash 10: Matrix3D

rawData is set as column major order

hence, gotta transpose to row major

var v:Vector.<Number> = Vector.<Number>(
[1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16]);
var m:Matrix3D = new Matrix3D();
m.rawData = v;
/*
matrix is stored as
[1, 5, 9, 13]
[2, 6, 10, 14]
[3, 7, 11, 15]
[4, 8, 12, 16]
*/
m.transpose();
/*
matrix is stored as
[1, 2, 3, 4]
[5, 6, 7, 8]
[9, 10, 11, 12]
[13, 14, 15, 16]
*/

TBY appears on ST paper

ha. found this newspaper clipping while clearing my old office.
ST, Tech & Sci, H9, 28 Aug 2003

Using Flex Library SWC with Flash CS3 FLA

Useful link: http://www.timwalling.com/2007/10/22/compiling-flash-cs3-compatible-swcs-with-flex/

It works.
1) manifest.xml
eg.:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<componentPackage>
<component id="OOPMLibrary" class="com.boon.OOPM" />
</componentPackage>

1b) Flex Library Compiler > Fill in Namespace URL and Manifest File

2) Compiler arguments: -compute-digest=false

3) put in the folder (WinXP): C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Adobe\Flash CS3\en\Configuration\Components

4) Flash CS3 > Components Panel > Reload (Menu)

Fireworks effect

Created a fireworks effect component.
FLA: fireworks_cs3.fla

Drag the fireworks component from the library to the Stage.
Modify the component parameters from the Component Inspector Panel. play around with different values for different effect.

parameters:
- burstVelMin/Max : min and max speed of the particles when fireworks explode. randomise. higher, faster
- colour: colour of fireworks
- drag: how fast the particles will slow down. lower number, slow down faster
- gravity: how fast the particle will fall downward. higher number, faster the drop
- numFramesToBurst: number of frames before the fireworks explode
- numParticles: number of particles when the the fireworks explode
- particleLifeSpan: number of frames before particles will disappear
- particleSizeGrowth: how fast the size of the particle will grow. higher number, bigger the growth
- trailDecay: how fast the trail will disappear. higher number, faster
- vx / vy: starting speed in x and y direction

Mobile Assignment done during NTU course

Collection of images done for my mobile design assignment:

Adobe Certified Expert - Dreamweaver & Flash

Phew. finally cleared my exams.

Flash webcam tracking experiment

Used the same logic in Touchless SDK. port it into Flash. tracking using colour histogram.
Use the mouse to drag and select an object to track.

Flash 10, 3D and BSP Tree

Used a Binary Space Partitioning (BSP) Tree to sort the order of the triangles to be drawn on the screen using Flash 10 3D API.

http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/flash3d/coffee_table_bsp/
BSP Tree Component: BSPTree.swc
Updated BSPTree.swc: 01 Feb 2009. Resolved some bugs.
02 Feb 2009. optimised code
24 Feb 2009. changed code. using timer-based instead of loops to add triangles to tree nodes. to avoid script timeout limit.

1) Import package
import dmp.*;
2) Create a BSPTree object
var tree:BSPTree = new BSPTree();
3) Add the vertices and uvt data of the model
tree.add(vertices, uvt);
4) Sort by model composite transform or by camera location
tree.sortByModelTransform(compositeM, outVertices, outUVT);
OR
tree.sortByCameraLoc(cameraLoc, outVertices, outUVT);
5) Transform & project outVertices and outUVT to draw model

Source:
BSP Tree library
BSP Tree sample program

Security Error 2148: while loading XML

http://adobeflash.wordpress.com/2007/01/13/error-2148-loading-xml-with-flex2-security-error/

adding the "-use-network=false" argument works in Flex Builder.

hmmm. strange. sometimes, it works without adding the argument.

OBJ to DMP format

A convertor I wrote using Actionscript 3.0 and Flex to convert from OBJ to a custom XML format i used for my students' assignment
link to OBJ format: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obj
Export from 3D tools, eg.: Maya, to OBJ format
Open the OBJ file in a text editor, eg.: Notepad. Copy and paste the data into this application. Enter the texture filename. and click "Convert"

3D in Flash 10

Loaded a COLLADA model from an external DAE file.
Use cursor keys, W,A,S,D and the mouse to manipulate the model.
Flash 10 player required. http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
Applied simple clipping, sorting of triangles.
Frame rate will drop when number of triangles is about 1K+.

http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/flash3d/TrianglesApp.html

DMIT Fiesta 2008

Flash AS3 Custom Component - parameters

If the parameters are modified during authoring time,
they are not ready til after the constructor is called.


package{
import flash.display.*;
import flash.events.*;
import flash.net.*;
public class Testing extends MovieClip{
[Inspectable]
public var id:Number = 0;
function Testing(){
this.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, mouseclick);
}
function mouseclick(e:MouseEvent):void{
trace("id" + id);
}
}
}

Elastic Flash Demo

Key in a number from 2-20 in the textbox and click the button to generate an elastic object. Use the mouse to drag the dots.

Microsoft.Win32.OpenFileDialog affect FileIO operation

Just found out that if I use the following code to retrieve a filename, the FileStream will be affected as the current directory will be set to where the filename was taken from, eg.: "My Documents", instead of the Application Path.

OpenFileDialog dialog = new OpenFileDialog();
dialog.Filter = "All files (*.*)|*.*";
if ((bool)dialog.ShowDialog())
{
// store filename
}

// and later in the code
FileStream stream = new FileStream(
"mydata.bin", FileMode.Create);
BinaryWriter writer = new BinaryWriter(stream);
// write some data
stream.Close();
// "mydata.bin" will be saved in the current directory of OpenFileDialog

One solution will be to use the application path and extract the directory:
String path = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location;

another will be to use RestoreDirectory property of the OpenFileDialog. set it to true.

Flash 10 3D Demo - partial cube

NOT working. Flash 10 player has been updated to official release.

Requires Flash 10 (currently beta)
http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer10.html

Demo of rotating cube(partial to see culling effect):
http://psalmhundred.net/experiment/flash3d/Flash10App.html

Flash 10 3D API - Utils3D.projectVectors(...)

Utils3D.projectVectors(m:Matrix3D, verts:Vector, projectedVerts:Vector, uvts:Vector) causes Flash player 10 beta to crash currently.

so just a workaround, a custom method to do similar thing:

public function projectVectors(projMatrix:Matrix3D, vert:Vector.<Number>,
v2D:Vector.<Number>, uvt:Vector.<Number>):void{

var temp:Vector.<Number> = new Vector.<Number>(vert.length);
projMatrix.transformVectors(vert, temp);
var z:Number = 0;
for(var i:int = 0; i<temp.length/3; i++){
z = temp[i*3+2];
z = focalLength / (focalLength+z);
// x' = f*x/(f+z), y' = f*y/(f+z)
v2D[i*2] = temp[i*3]*z;
v2D[i*2+1] = temp[i*3+1]*z;
// t = f/(f+z)
uvt[i*3+2] = z;
}
}

WPF: Media Player

MediaPlayer player;
Uri uri = new Uri("pack://siteoforigin:,,,/music.mp3");
player = new MediaPlayer();
player.Open(uri);
player.Play();

WPF: setting cursor

eg:
void Page1_MouseMove(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
e.MouseDevice.SetCursor(Cursors.Hand); //-- hand cursor
e.MouseDevice.SetCursor(Cursors.None); //-- none, invisible
}

WPF: Image Drawing

XAML:
<Image Name="image1" Stretch="None" HorizontalAlignment="Left" VerticalAlignment="Top" Height="200" Width="200" />

C#:
DrawingGroup group = new DrawingGroup();
DrawingImage di = new DrawingImage(group);
//-- create clipping bound for drawing group
RectangleGeometry myRectangleGeometry = new RectangleGeometry();
myRectangleGeometry.Rect = new Rect(0,0,250,250);
group.ClipGeometry = myRectangleGeometry;
image1.Source = di;

//-- load image source (refer to prev post)
ImageSource img2 = ...

//-- to draw something
using (DrawingContext dc = group.Open())
{
dc.DrawImage(img2, new Rect(x, y, w, h));
//-- and other stuff
}

C#: using the prev LinkList

LinkList<Dog> list = new LinkList<Dog>();
list.addLast(new Dog("Rocky", 16));
list.addLast(new Dog("Waggie", 6));
list.remove(0);
list.get(0).bark();

C#: reading text files

using System;
using System.IO;

namespace FileIOText
{
class ReadTextFile
{
public ReadTextFile()
{
try
{
//-- "using" also closes the file
using (StreamReader sr = new StreamReader("data.txt"))
{
String line;
while ((line = sr.ReadLine()) != null)
{
Console.WriteLine(line);
}
}
}
catch(Exception e){
Console.WriteLine("File could not be read");
Console.WriteLine(e.Message);
}
}
}
}

C#: reading binary file

using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary;
namespace FileIOText
{
class ReadBinaryFile
{
const String filename = "binfile.dat";
public ReadBinaryFile()
{
FileStream fs = new FileStream(filename, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
/*
//create reader
BinaryReader br = new BinaryReader(fs);

Console.WriteLine(br.ReadInt32());
Console.WriteLine(br.ReadDouble());
Console.WriteLine(br.ReadBoolean());
Console.WriteLine(br.ReadString());
Console.WriteLine(br.ReadChar());

br.Close();
*/

BinaryFormatter formatter = new BinaryFormatter();
Dog d = (Dog)formatter.Deserialize(fs);
Console.WriteLine(d.Name);
Console.WriteLine(d.Age);
fs.Close();
}
}
}

C#: writing to text file

using System;
using System.IO;

namespace FileIOText
{
class WriteTextFile
{
public WriteTextFile()
{
try
{
//-- "using" also closes the file
using (StreamWriter sw = new StreamWriter("data.txt"))
{
sw.Write("Hello...");
sw.WriteLine("This is the start of the writing...");
sw.WriteLine("------------------");
//-- write arbitrary objects
sw.Write("The date is: ");
sw.WriteLine(DateTime.Now);
}
}
catch (Exception e)
{
Console.WriteLine("File could not be written");
Console.WriteLine(e.Message);
}
}
}
}

C#: Writing binary file

using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary;

namespace FileIOText
{
class WriteBinaryFile
{
const String filename = "binfile.dat";
public WriteBinaryFile()
{
if(File.Exists(filename)){
Console.WriteLine("{0} already exists!", filename);
return;
}
FileStream fs = new FileStream(filename, FileMode.CreateNew);
/*
//create writer
BinaryWriter bw = new BinaryWriter(fs);

//create test data to write to file
int i = 299;
double d = 2.5999;
bool b = false;
String s = "Haha";
char c = 'A';

bw.Write(i);
bw.Write(d);
bw.Write(b);
bw.Write(s);
bw.Write(c);
*/

Dog d = new Dog("Rocky", 16);
Dog e = new Dog("Waggie", 10);
BinaryFormatter formatter = new BinaryFormatter();
formatter.Serialize(fs, d);
formatter.Serialize(fs, e);
//bw.Close();
fs.Close();
}
}
}

C#: LinkList

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;

namespace List
{
[Serializable]
class LinkList<T>
{
int numOfElements = 0;
ListNode<T> headNode = null;
public LinkList() { }
public LinkList(T data) {
headNode = new ListNode<T>(data);
}
public bool isEmpty()
{
return (numOfElements == 0);
}
public int getNumOfElements()
{
return numOfElements;
}
public ListNode<T> find(int index)
{
ListNode<T> node = headNode;
if(index < 0 || index >= numOfElements){
throw new IndexOutOfRangeException("Error! Out of List index bounds");
}
for (int i = 0; i < index; i++ )
{
node = node.Next;
}
return node;
}
public T get(int index)
{
/*
if (index >= 0 && index < numOfElements)
{
return find(index).Data;
}*/
return find(index).Data;
}
public void add(int index, T data)
{
if (index == 0)
{
ListNode<T> newNode = new ListNode<T>(data, headNode);
headNode = newNode;
}
else if (index > 0 && index <= numOfElements)
{
ListNode<T> prevNode = find(index - 1);
ListNode<T> newNode = new ListNode<T>(data, prevNode.Next);
prevNode.Next = newNode;
}else{
throw new IndexOutOfRangeException("Error! Out of List index bounds");
}
numOfElements++;
}
public void addLast(T data)
{
add(getNumOfElements(), data);
}
public void remove(int index)
{
if (index == 0)
{
headNode = headNode.Next;
}
else if (index > 0 && index < numOfElements)
{
ListNode<T> prev = find(index - 1);
ListNode<T> current = prev.Next;
prev.Next = current.Next;
}
else
{
throw new IndexOutOfRangeException("Error! Out of List index bounds");
}
numOfElements--;
}
public void removeLast()
{
remove(numOfElements - 1);
}
}
}

C#: ListNode

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;

namespace List
{
[Serializable]
class ListNode<T>
{
ListNode<T> next = null; //-- self referencing node
T data; //-- data segment
public ListNode(T t)
{
data = t;
}
public ListNode(T t, ListNode<T> n):this(t) //-- call the prev constructor 1st
{
//-- then proceed to following line
next = n;
}
public T Data{
get { return data; }
set { data = value; }
}
public ListNode<T> Next
{
get { return next; }
set { next = value; }
}
}
}

NTU Assignment Demos

Inverse Kinematics using Flash
Fluid Simulation using Flash

http://psalmhundred.net/NTU/

My favourite: the fluid simulation one. : )

WPF: loading images, audio, video

hmmm. strange that loading images more ma2 fan2 than loading video/audio
must set width/height. tried without and no image : (

loading images:
Image LoadImage(String imageFileName)
{
// Create source
BitmapImage myBitmapImage = new BitmapImage();

// BitmapImage.UriSource must be in a BeginInit/EndInit block
myBitmapImage.BeginInit();
myBitmapImage.UriSource = new Uri("pack://siteoforigin:,,,/" + imageFileName);

// To save significant application memory, set the DecodePixelWidth or
// DecodePixelHeight of the BitmapImage value of the image source to the desired
// height or width of the rendered image. If you don't do this, the application will
// cache the image as though it were rendered as its normal size rather then just
// the size that is displayed.
// Note: In order to preserve aspect ratio, set DecodePixelWidth
// or DecodePixelHeight but not both.
myBitmapImage.EndInit();
Image i = new Image();
i.Source = myBitmapImage;
i.Width = myBitmapImage.Width;
i.Height = myBitmapImage.Height;
return i;
}

loading audio/video:
xaml:
<MediaElement Grid.Row="2" Name="myMedia" LoadedBehavior="Manual"/>

cs:
myMedia.Source = new Uri("mymediafile.wmv", UriKind.Relative);
myMedia.Play();

What am i busy with?

Hmm...

switch(task){
case 1:
prepareFor1stBorn(); //-- baby coming
break;
case 2:
doASsignments(); //-- NTU modules
break;
case 3:
doResearch(); //-- NTU dissertation
break;
case 4:
mark(); //-- mark exam papers
break;
}

How to teach programming???

am waiting for wifey at her office. still cracking my brain how to teach oopm more effectively... :(

//-- status now
boolean isFrustrated = true;
while(isFrustrated){
thinkSomeMoreIdeas();
}

AS3: SoundMixer.computeSpectrum()

public static function computeSpectrum(outputArray:ByteArray, FFTMode:Boolean = false, stretchFactor:int = 0):void

Takes a snapshot of the current sound wave and places it into the specified ByteArray object. The values are formatted as normalized floating-point values, in the range -1.0 to 1.0. The ByteArray object passed to the outputArray parameter is overwritten with the new values. The size of the ByteArray object created is fixed to 512 floating-point values, where the first 256 values represent the left channel, and the second 256 values represent the right channel.

Flash: BitmapData.draw

Draws a source image or movie clip onto a destination image, using the Flash Player vector renderer

draw(source:Object, [matrix:Matrix], [colorTransform:ColorTransform], [blendMode:Object], [clipRect:Rectangle], [smooth:Boolean])