Jan
30
2012

Replication by Jill Williamson – A Review

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by Leighton Hajicek

Premise:

Martyr—otherwise known as Jason 3:3—is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to “expire” in less than a month. To see the sky. Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going on at Jason Farms, where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars.

I read a lot of books. I can’t review them all, but this one was certainly worth a review. If you’re into mysteries, thrillers, romance novels, what have you… this is the book for you.

Since this is not a ‘guys only’ blog, (much less a ‘girls only’ blog) not everyone is going to appreciate both sides. Yes, it is a thriller/mystery, technically. Yes it is a romance novel. Yes, you should read it even if you typically don’t like one of the two genres. It will give you an appreciation for the other. There may be some overly-sensitive girls who will be offended by the more violent/scary/mature content and there may be some underly-sensitive guys who will be offended by the romance. If you’re one of those, my advice is not, “Don’t read this book.” rather it is “Get a life and read the book.”

Moving on.

There were a couple of really awkward parts in Replication that made me laugh like an idiot. Very amusing. Imagine a romance novel where the guy knows as much about girls as a 2 year old. You’re welcome. :P

I would recommend the book to anyone over 15. I’d give it 5 out of 5 stars. Get the book!

A note to blog readers who are fed up with me not posting… EVER. I’m coming back. I promise. In fact, this site will be changing drastically in a couple months.

– L8on

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Nov
14
2011

Hiati Extremus!

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by Leighton Hajicek

For those of you who are ‘following’ my blog, profuse apologies for my neglecting it for so long! I’ve been heckuva busy lately with the FDW Trailer project (soon to be released!), building a portfolio, school, and lots of out-of-town visitors! (not to mention facebook and everything else distracting!)

I would suggest that you check out the Nightwing Studios page linked to above, and also the website: http://nightwingstudios.com

Recently I’ve been learning a ton of new software, and mastering advanced techniques for next-gen game asset creation! When everything slows down for me a bit, I’ll start work on a really REALLY big project that you guys are going to love. Keyword: Shroudlings. Mwahahahehehe!

Anyway, I’d better get back to work on the FDW trailer. Sorry for the shortness, why don’t you hit me up in a comment?

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Aug
17
2011

Kickstarter Project for the FDW Fan Trailer!

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by Leighton Hajicek

We’re on Kickstarter! Fans of Nightwing Studios and From Darkness Won, here is your chance to join us in this undertaking. Follow the link for more information and be sure to check out the cool rewards! If you are unable to back the project, please spread the word via facebook, twitter and blogs. You all are awesome!

On the page, it also gives a detailed explanation of what the funds go towards. Thank you so much for considering!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2046662100/from-darkness-won-fan-book-trailer

Thank you,

- Nightwing Studios

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Jul
06
2011

From Darkness Won Trailer Preview!

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by Leighton Hajicek

The From Darkness Won Trailer is scheduled to be filmed in September. We try to make each book trailer as epic and unique as we can, and this upcoming one is going to be a doozy by what we’re seeing with the pre-production.

The book From Darkness Won is the last book in the award winning Blood of Kings series by Jill Williamson. I highly recommend the series for any fantasy enthusiasts out there.

Here is the first of a series of renders that I will post on here.

All original content licensed to Nightwing Studios. Modeled in 3DS Max, hi poly in Zbrush, color graded in Blender and will be animated in Maya.

It’s a sea serpent / fish / octopus hybrid called a Tanniyn. I’ll post more as soon as permission is granted by Jill Williamson.

Any comments or questions are welcome.

Also, on a last note, if any of you want to find out more about Nightwing Studios, don’t try googling it, because our website is down right now. We’ll have it up soon. I’ll keep you all posted.

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Jun
14
2011

Blog Theme Update!

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by Leighton Hajicek

Hey guys, how do you like the new look? It’s almost been completely re-worked. I made a new header, as well as changing color scheme and adding a really cool background.

Also, I have news! I recently purchased Pixologic’s Zbrush for resumé purposes but it will also help with the Special FX in upcoming From Darkness Won trailer. Really excited about that. Anyway, back to the updated blog!

I added and changed several pages. For one, I changed ‘About SLY Games’ to ‘About Leighton. Let’s talk about that.

Previously, I had started SLY Games for the purpose of creating completely by myself a full length video game. That video game was Wolf’s Bard, based off of my sister’s awesome book. I have come to the decision that I am not going to attempt that.

I have several reasons.

  1. An entire video game has never been created entirely by one person as far as I know, certainly not to my high standards.
  2. That is not my goal in life, and needs to not be treated as such by me.

WAIT! Don’t go away yet! I’m still going to make some of Wolf’s Bard. You may ask… “Huh… Why some?” and the reason why is because I need a portfolio.

And it just so happens… that a Wolf’s Bard level would the perfect place to showcase my skills! SO! You will get to see Wolf’s Bard the game and even play it for free! However, it will only be one level. :P

Still, it’s going to rock. Anyway, and in case you are wondering why I need a portfolio, the answer to that one is that I want to get a job as an environment artist at a video game development company! And they are going to need some serious convincing. That convincing takes the form of a demo-reel sometimes. lol

Also, I will be posting exponentially more and more of my work on here, so keep coming!

Thanks,

– Leighton

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Jun
10
2011

Autodesk’s Big Gamble

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by Leighton Hajicek

Autodesk Software LogosAutodesk recently released ALL of their expensive software for FREE for students. My response: “Wow… Why?”

Great question, Leighton. Here’s a better worded question: “How does this benefit them?”

Before I answer that question, let me give an example of another company that did something similar. Epic Games, released their $700,000 Unreal Engine for free under the name UDK November 5th 2009. And why did they do that? Because then, see more people will be learning it and loving it, and then when those people have their own video game companies (or work for one, perhaps) they will want to use the Unreal Engine. One distinct thing that must be mentioned, is that the free version released, although not missing any features, (aside from several console porting options) it is basically ‘non-commercial’. Of course, with UDK you can pay royalties to sell it… and whatnot. I’m not getting into that. Anyone that wants to find more about UDK and check it out HERE.

Back to Autodesk. So? For sure they would want people using their software as students and then therefore wanting to use it as professionals… but wait… don’t all professionals use Autodesk software anyway?

Hmmm. What if… Autodesk feels that in the future, less professionals will be using their software if they don’t take extreme measures? (what they recently did)

Why would they feel like that? Hmm, maybe there is some other software that is stealing their lunch money. Some FREE software…

Enter Blender. Blender is commonly used as an acceptable substitute to Autodesk software. And with the new 2.5+ releases, it’s gotten quite the publicity and acclaim. The new user interface is insanely easier to use (once you are used to it) than it ever was.  It has been said that anything that Autodesk software can do, Blender can. Could Autodesk… be afraid of Blender?

Wow. This is almost like Microsoft watching the comeback of the company that was going down the drain several years ago. Apple. But this company … the Blender Foundation, is unusually unstoppable. Their prices are hard to beat. In fact… to beat their prices, you’d have to give away software with a roll of cash to go with it. LOL

I’d like to give Autodesk a big hand here for thinking smartically (no, I didn’t inventitate that word) and trying their best to stay on top of the ball, here. However, I’d like to warn Blender, that you guys will have less and less of the newer generation of people using your software… unless you REALLY pick up the ball here and go all out. Make your software WAY better than Autodesk, or your future looks bleak.

Business was cut-throat before… now it’s like trying to survive in a running blender.

- Leighton

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May
14
2011

CrazyBump — Are You A Communist?

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by Leighton Hajicek

To quote 3D artist Andrew Hilderbrand “Anyone not using Crazybump is a Communist.”

So true. Ok, so I’m exaggerating.

Still, this is the greatest application I have ever used. It demonstrates clear superiority over all other bumpmap and normal map generating software. I finally buckled down and bought the software after having downloaded the trial version a year ago, getting hooked and missing it ever since.

So. You guys want to know what it does, right? Here goes.

This is the image I started with. I downloaded this off CGTextures.com.

See that? That is a seamlessly repeating texture. But nothing more than a flat image. Here is what that looks like when mapped onto a sphere:

How EXTREMELY boring. It’s like a photo printed on a sphere. Nothing more! It doesn’t react to the light the way the real rock that was photographed originally did! Lets change that.

Enter: Crazybump!

Check this out:

And this, with the light moved, so you can see the difference!

WOW. How’s that for cinematic quality? This app is a lifesaver and worth more than it is being sold for. Check out CrazyBump!

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May
01
2011

Blender 2.57 ASE exporter to UDK!

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by Leighton Hajicek

One of the huge questions out there has been:

How to compile work done in Blender… into the Unreal Development Kit! And now, we have an answer!

Mike Campagnini has spent his sleepless nights for the growing dev community here, and come up with a brand new, all functional ASE exporter script for Blender 2.57 (the latest version that JUST came out as of a week or two ago!). Exciting, exciting!

Here is the link: http://campagnini.net/2011/04/16/ase-export-for-blender-2-57/

Spread it around, because this guy really deserves some recognition *cough*donation*cough*. I’m thrilled that somebody is actually out there focusing on linking the two pieces of software I use the most.

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Apr
11
2011

A Self Portrait

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by Leighton Hajicek

Hey guys, I’ve been busy! Since I last posted, me and the other guys from Nightwing Studios have started pre-production on the all new From Darkness Won book trailer! The book was just recently released here: http://marcherlordpress.com/books/from_darkness_won.html

Exciting exciting! Also, no less important, I have continued work on Wolf’s Bard and maybe a new creature related tutorial coming up. About Wolf’s Bard, you may be wondering why I don’t have any screenshots of it yet and that is simply because I’m not quite there yet. I have most of the software necessary, (Not all) I am not done with the script of the game and the conceptual stage is not past by any means yet. Sorry.

Also, as you are waiting for from the post title (and probably looked ahead, but I’ll forgive you) is the self-portrait!

Self Portrait

Click to Enlarge

Drawn digitally with a tablet without looking in the mirror or tracing a photo. And no, it’s not a photo-shopped photo, it’s a real drawing. Also… I don’t have swollen ears, those are headphones. ;)

Here’s a test for you. What emotion do I have in the drawing? Leave your opinion in a comment.

  1. Pain
  2. Sympathy
  3. In Love
  4. Awe
  5. Stoicism
  6. Shy
  7. Surprise
  8. Meditation
  9. Shock (as in having been told someone passed away)
  10. Starry eyed

I really don’t know either. :P

- Leighton

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Mar
16
2011

My new Blender Tutoring is out!

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by Leighton Hajicek

Blender Tutoring LogoWant one on one blender tutoring? Check out this page here to read all about it:

http://slygames.net/wp/?page_id=503

Or if you just want to sign up, check this out:

http://slygames.net/wp/?page_id=483

It’s cheap, and VERY useful if you are new to Blender. In fact, maybe you haven’t ever heard of Blender!

Blender is a free, open source 3D modeling software suite. It rivals 3DS Max and Maya.

Go to http://www.blender.org to learn more about it, check out some cool artwork made using it or download it and try it yourself.

And… if you get stuck learning it, there’s always Blender Tutoring!

– Leighton

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