11/20/08

Again, worked on the video for the first print.  It's tough going.  Lots of creative thinking.  For instance, what I need to do is get an array of values of the start times of each segment (shape), then I need another array of what each layer each segment is in.  Then I need to play through the song and at each moment another segment is drawn, translate my current level in the z-axis to the associated level for that layer, then draw the 3 shapes (circle1, rectangle, circle2) at the coordinates stored in, yet another array, that contains all that info.

Somehow I need to also be able to move between layers easily.  For instance, if I just drew a shape on the 2nd layer and next I need to draw one one the 4th layer, I need to translate up the z-axis say, 50 pixels.  But if my next layer is on the 3rd I need to then go down 25, and if the next is on the 0th layer, i need to go down another 75 pixels.  A little tricky but shouldn't be too hard.

Talked with Ana in the printmaking studio about using pearlescent flake or something or other in oil-based paint for the next print I'll be working on.  Thought about using crushed glass, but that'd be a breathing hazard.  Apparently there's a company that makes pearlescent oil-based pigments so I'll be checking that out.  I don't want super glittery paint, just a light, sparse sparkle that catches the light just so.  I need to talk to an oil painter about glazes.  The iridescent and pearlescent paints I'm looking at are from danielsmith.com, a west-coast paint company.

Talked with Zack about getting my Illustrator files into Rhino to get them ready or the 4-axis mill.  Doesn't look like it'll be too tough.  Gotta remember to join all segments if there are any, no open paths, and extrude into a solid slightly.