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3D pixel (voxel) art experiment.

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So you thought you used to play 2D games. If you had taken a look inside your monitor, then you'd have seen this.

The featured game is Donkey Kong from Nintendo, a classic 8-bit game for the arcades, released in 1983.

Would be great to see a series of these scenes released as tangible designer gadgets. If anyone is interested to realize that, just get in touch with me. I can deliver the 3D scenes ready for rapid prototyping.

I'm planning to create more scenes like this, derived from other 8-bit classics, so stay tuned. Here's Impossible Mission.

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3D pixel illustration of a fictitious game level for an article about computer games.

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My second experiment involving 'pixeling' in 3D.

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A visual experiment in blending my two major passions: 3D graphics and 2D pixel art.

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Before I was a 3D guy I was a pixel artist for commercial 2D games, from the late 80s to the late 90s. Now I'd like to return to my roots (without leaving 3D of course).

Here's an illustration I made to get into pixeling again. I tried to keep it as minimalistic as possible, in search of the ultimate essence in conveying a visual message.

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You still have time to participate in the: Please link your Slice of Life Story to us here by clicking on the Mr. Linky Widget below. To learn more about this Challenge, please visit our Slice of Life Challenge Page. Also, please tag your posts with the words SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE. [...]

I considered going on the weekend, but after having to do a four gallon fill-up on Tuesday night to get-by, I decided to fill-up my tank on my way home this evening. I get no joy out of pumping my own gas, something I didn’t have to do as a teenager in NJ, where [...]

You still have time to participate in the: Please link your Slice of Life Story to us here by clicking on the Mr. Linky Widget below. To learn more about this Challenge, please visit our Slice of Life Challenge Page. Also, please tag your posts with the words SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE. EDITED (3:49 [...]

It’s not too late to start participating in the: Please link your Slice of Life Story to us here by clicking on the Mr. Linky Widget below. To learn more about this Challenge, please visit our Slice of Life Challenge Page. Also, please tag your posts with the words SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE. [...]

Was the bear cold? Originally uploaded by teachergal “Proceed to the first landing,” I told my Assembly Line Managers once I saw that my class was ready to leave the lunch room. I saw a big bump under one of my student’s coats, which she was holding [...]

Please link your Slice of Life Story to us here by clicking on the Mr. Linky Widget below. (Sorry that I didn’t post this ’til the morning. I’m still under the weather and went to sleep early last night.) To learn more about this Challenge, please visit our Slice of Life Challenge Page. [...]

We Voted Together! #3 & #4 at the Polling Place! Originally uploaded by teachergal I didn’t care if I am sick. I’m voting today! “What time do you think we need to leave to go and vote?” I asked Marc. “6:50, 6:55…” he responded. “I cannot [...]

The alarm buzzed in my ear at 5:15 a.m. I’m still sick, but I’m going in! Therefore, I took about three more minutes and then rolled right out of bed. I headed to the computer (because that’s what all tech-addicted people do when they wake up in the morning) to check my e-mail. [...]

Last week was the first meeting of the new “Father-Son Book Group” at the Hillsboro Public Library, where I work as a substitute Reference Librarian and, starting now, as a once-a-month book group host.  Here’s what I’ve learned so far: 

It will take a while to get going:   Our first meeting drew only two dads and two sons (both age nine).  We had many people asking about the program and checking out the book of the month (Frindle), but it will be a challenge to actually draw them in on a Saturday morning.  All four promised to return next month, and their homework is to find some more people to bring along.    

Reading is not as uncool as it used to be:   I was all prepared to get things started with my sad childhood stories of how I never talked about reading with anyone but my family because it was so uncool to be a boy reader…but it wasn’t really necessary with this bunch.  These four all had no problem being reading males…as one of the boys said:  “you can’t lose at reading.”  We just need to find more guys like them. 

Harry Potter rules the world:   Our Frindle discussion was peppered with references to Harry Potter (one book that I didn’t include on my Frindle Read-Alikes handout).  The HPs provide common ground to so many diverse readers.  Dads and kids all knew them well, and used them as reference points.  “Did the illustrations of Nick match your imagination?”  “No, and neither did Snape in the Harry Potter movies.”  “There wasn’t a lot of life or death action in Frindle, but was it exciting?”  “Yes, but not in the same way as the Harry Potter books.”  “Did Nick or Mrs. Granger change through the events in Frindle?”  “Yes, just like Harry and company.”  I’m exaggerating the abruptness of the transition….we really did talk a lot about Frindle, and HP provided some useful context that helped us define and think about the book we just read. 

Dads and Sons See Things Differently:   I really enjoyed the way both fathers were willing participants in the discussion, rather than leaders or facilitators. And the generational perspectives were clearly evident.  Mrs. Granger reminded one boy of a teacher he knew about who was known for being very strict.  Dad, on the other hand, added that this particular teacher was also one of the best at his son’s school, despite or because of that strictness.  Which is a great example of the two relating the book to their different perspectives on shared experiences.  

Dads and Sons See Things Similarly:   One boy didn’t see why the neighborhood entrepreneur made a fortune from Frindle products, when it was all Nick’s idea.  I expected the older and wiser fathers to mention something about the crucial role of marketing in a capitalist society.  But instead, one of the dads totally agreed that the money that guy made was unfair, then shared his own irritation at modern hip hop musicians who lift samples from the works of truly creative musicians, and then get all the credit.     

Don’t Forget the Donut Holes:   Our snack choice was donut holes, and I bought more than enough, since I didn’t know how many people would show up.  It was pretty impressive how many of these the four participants (especially the two younger ones) managed to put away.  Providing snacks is one of my least favorite program related tasks, and I felt a bit guilty about not coming up with some clever food that relates to the book somehow, but I think I’ll be okay.  I don’t foresee any complaints from these readers if it’s donut holes every time. 

It’s Nice to Have Room to Grow:  Our attendance was low, but the participants were so enthusiastic that I can’t help but think that we’ll grow.  There doesn’t seem to be many book groups like this, but there might be soon.  Author Marc Aronson started one at the Maplewood Library in New Jersey a few years ago and wrote a nice article about it and the Geneva Public Library in Illinois has “The Round Table,” which is for boys plus an adult of any gender.  And Scott County Public Library’s “Pig Skulls” book club looks like terrific fun, as you can see from their blog.  As for our Hillsboro group:  no catchy title yet, and we’re a ways away from a blog, but I’m definitely looking forward to hearing what the guys think about Weasel next month.     

Please link your Slice of Life Story to us here by clicking on the Mr. Linky Widget below. To learn more about this Challenge, please visit our Slice of Life Challenge Page. Also, please tag your posts with the words SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE.

I finished attaching ribbon, to the wooden boxes I painted, earlier this morning. I decided I had gotten enough practice painting practice. Therefore, it was time to bring out the stencil and have a go with the stenciling. I’ve been wanting to do stenciling (using a template!) for years. However, I [...]

Please link your Slice of Life Story to us here by clicking on the Mr. Linky Widget below. To learn more about this Challenge, please visit our Slice of Life Challenge Page. Also, please tag your posts with the words SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE.

  The first day of March.  The first day of the Slice of Life Challenge (SOLC).  The first entry I’ve ever written in a Moleskine Notebook.  And I’ve found myself paying attention (even more) to the everyday special of an ordinary Saturday afternoon.  All of this wide-awake living has made it difficult to choose the slice [...]

I made this special just for the challenge.  My very first Moleskine — ooh-la-la!

It’s 12:05 p.m. on March 1st, which means it’s time for me to post the widget for Day 1 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Please link your Slice of Life Story to us here by clicking on the Mr. Linky Widget below. To learn more about this Challenge, please visit our Slice of [...]

Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers have announced a great new March contest--"The Slice of Life" Challenge. They are challenging bloggers to post and link Slice of Life Stories. On March 31, they will have a drawing for the winner. They suggest having your students write Slice of Life stories. They have great ideas, forms, etc. posted on their blog if you are interested in challenging your students. But I found it to be the perfect excuse to write our own Slice of Life Stories--those things we never take the time to write about. I already have a few ideas. I am pretty sure I won't win the contest but I am so excited to join in by adding a few of my own personal pieces. Stay tuned and join in the fun!

I created the Slice of Life Story Challenge Tracker and posted it above my desk, which is oddly located in my classroom’s meeting area, this afternoon. I cannot wait to see how many of my students partake in it this-coming Monday!!!

Need a quick record-keeping form to use to track your students’ Slice of Life Stories in March? If so, click here for a spreadsheet I created and published as a Google Document for that purpose. All you need to do is plug-in your students’ names.

My fourth grade colleague is going to be doing the Slice of Life Story Challenge with her class as well. Therefore, I made this flier to go home with the students tomorrow. It’s pretty text-heavy (so I split it into two pages for my kiddies), but I figured I’d post it like this [...]