That's repulsive - superman

[paulselhi]

Having spent an evening trying to explain string theory (and it's application to the "Theory of Everything") to my ex, i found that i really had to go back to first principles

So i am going to make a web site crudely entitled "particle physics for dummies - a quantum leap in explanatory methods"

Pretentious ? Moi ?

I fired up cinema 4d with it's impressive though obsure thinking particles and came up with this render of an atomic nucleus and surrounding electrons


rough render 400kb mov (http://www.black-and-white-to-color.com/stuff/electrons.mov)

the challenge was to get the core to repulse the electrons when they came too close but also to attract them so that they stayed within a reasonable distance

I also wanted inter electron repulsion

Superman ? well if you count the electrons you will see that this is an atom of krypton :D

The result is not too bad, obviously needs a lot more work before i add it to the as yet unstarted site but it gives me belief that i can do a lot of visualisation using c4d and maybe lightwave

[YvetteKuhns]

When you have completed the file, will you convert it to swf? It would work for more people and have a smaller file size.

It is interesting, but the red ball (nucleus) moves forward, seems to stay still, then starts to move back a little. Any reason? Just wondering.

Will you be adding static to your electrons?

[paulselhi]

i moved the camera a bit hence the red ball ( nucleus) appears to move

Static to the electrons, that's a bit like adding air to wind :D

but i see what you mean, give them a glow effect ? possibly

The problem with flash is that in general, unless you really knock the quality down, the files are larger than mov ( sorenson) or divx

however for the site i will probably add flash files with a preloader and/or animated gifs for the simpler images

The idea is to really try to simplify the ideas behind particle physics, quantum mechanics, special/general relativity and ultimately string and M theory. So, much as i would like to make great movies, i will try to keep them as simple as possible

I think 3d/4d CGI would be great for this, for example explaining or trying to explain how matter warps space, time slows down with relative motion etc

There have been a few TV shows recently that have done some great graphics and i want to try to emulate these if only for my personal enjoyment !!! but i always find that they start off with good intentions explaining the fundimentals then they sort of hit the gas pedal and stream off into the more obscure realms without leaving the viewer fully understanding those essential first principles.

The first principles are decievingly simple and are generally breezed over to get to the "sexy" stuff but there is generally little backwards referal to these core ideas when people get bogged down in say stuff like quantum physics

It will be a mammoth task but at least it may help me to understand a lot of stuff that i think i know but don't in fact really understand

[YvetteKuhns]

glow effect
That may look good.

The problem with flash is that in general, unless you really knock the quality down, the files are larger than mov ( sorenson) or divx
Really? Actually, you should offer a download for divx or another movie player for those who don't have it. More people have the Flash plugin installed.

So, much as i would like to make great movies, i will try to keep them as simple as possible
Good idea. The file size will stay smaller.

I think 3d/4d CGI would be great for this, for example explaining or trying to explain how matter warps space, time slows down with relative motion etc
Java applets are/were good, too, but Microsoft really hurt that idea. CGI will work for everyone and no plugin is required.

Good luck!

[Croc Hunter]

Nice Pauli.. I like it. The red nucleus looks a little flat is all, not ball shaped. But your rough looks great. Then again I'm biased, I love particle effects. Originally posted by pauselhi
The problem with flash is that in general, unless you really knock the quality down, the files are larger than mov ( sorenson) or divx I find the same to be true. Even with the advanced compression Flash/Mx 6 offers. If you could put some directions up how to get better compression to quality Yvette, I'll kiss your feet ;).Originally posted by pauselhi
So, much as i would like to make great movies, i will try to keep them as simple as possible I love the big glitzy stuff. I've spent ages getting my favourite short anim polished but it's still a a dial-up twilight zone.