General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


How to Get 3D Printing Up and Running

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 03:12 PM PDT

From out of reach to the next cool accessory

We'll risk putting on our prognosticator hat and tell you that in years to come, the past 12 months will be thought of as the year consumer-grade 3D printing had its coming out party. Of course, there were earlier adopters, and there will also be stragglers, too. But in the past year, we've seen the key components that make a thing into "a thing" all come together.

We saw the release of many newer brands of consumer-priced and -sized 3D printers. These follow the trend started by industry leaders such as Makerbot. This explosion has led to greater public awareness and accessibility, and even a proliferation of new trade/consumer events, such as the 3D Printer World Expo.

Of equal importance has been Adobe's support for 3D printing within their flagship Photoshop application. This year Adobe has both added and enhanced Photoshop's ability to prep 3D models for printing. With a still-limited selection, Photoshop can send your 3D datasets out to either a local printer or a service bureau. This puts 3D printing in the hands of anyone with a $10 monthly Adobe Creative Cloud Photoshop membership.

But let's put on the breaks for just a moment, because we're not here to oversell you. While this is touted as the next great thing, it ain't no smart watch that you just slip on your wrist. However simple the developers are trying to make it, 3D is inherently more complex than 2D work. At it's best for the consumer, we should hope to be able to accomplish three main things.

The first of these is the ability to take an existing 3D model and print it without too much expertise or strife. Second, we want is to be able to scan in an object without too much effort (which will, in turn, print easily). Third  on our punch-list would be the ability to create some basic 3D models from scratch. Again, without too much effort in creation or printing. Now that we know what we want, let's get to it!

Easy 3D Printing

Adobe Photoshop can play a big role in our first objective. You can import a 3D model from a wide range of sources. Just what you'll be importing will depend a lot on what your goals are for 3D printing. The hype we read tells us this is the next industrial revolution, and before long we will be printing many of the items we currently buy from Amazon.com (which, of course, was part of the last "revolution").

So, in addition to all of the many long existing online resources for downloading 3D models, we should expect an explosion of readily available sources of household items, replacement parts, and other clever items. Imagine the day when going to an online store to buy a lens cap, chess pieces, candlestick holders, or countless other things will offer shipping options of "Ground," "2-day," or "Download Now."

Well, such sites are already online. One notable incarnation is the Makerbot-owned www.thingiverse.com, which highlights a wide range of member projects, along with download links so you can print the items yourself.

There is also a wide range of existing sources online for 3D models of all kinds, both free as well as for a fee. Most of these sites are geared toward the 3D animation and industrial markets, but there's no reason you can't download the range of models to be used as kids toys, props in your Lionel train creations, and many other applications.

Archive (http://archive3D.net) is a well-known source for free models of all sorts online. And Turbosquid (www.turbosquid.com) is a longtime resource for high-quality 3D models for purchase.

There is also the growing aspect of community in the 3D printing world. For example, we have already helped a friend that had the battery cover to his TV remote crack in two (he stepped on it one night). Since we had the the same TV remote, we scanned the battery cover and emailed it to him across the country. He then printed the model, took a fine sandpaper to it for a few minutes, and it slid right into place! Not only was is very cool, but it also saved him the cost of replacing an entire remote unit.

While there are many lists of 3D printing projects to consider, this particular list at Hongkiat.com (www.hongkiat.com/blog/3D-printings) caught our attention, with its unusual offerings.

Wherever you get your 3D models from, it can be important to know the formats that your software accepts for importing. For example, Photoshop accepts the list seen in the screen shot below. While there are conversion applications available, our personal experience indicates that you may find instant success or you may be going down the rabbit hole into a wasted day of futility. If you can find a well-made model in a format your application accepts, you will save a great deal of time.

For most of the 3D printing being done today, color and texture map information isn't going to be an issue. This is because most printing is being done in a single color. So basic 3D formats, even those that aren't supporting the color information, are just fine for our needs. But keep in mind that this is likely to change in the near future.

For this experiment, I went to archive.net and downloaded a wooden outdoor seat model. Its zip file came with a range of formats to choose from. But I went with the 3DS format, which is a common industry standard and compatible with Photoshop.

To import into Photoshop, select 3D > New 3D layer from file... option, and choose your model. Once inside Photoshop, your model will open inside the 3D environment, which will certainly take some getting used to, even if you've done 3D work before. Every program is different, and Photoshop's workflow has its own unique procedures to learn.

Since our ultimate goal in Photoshop is simply to print the model, we can actually bypass most of its controls and head right over to the "3D Printer Settings," which can be brought up under the 3D menu. The first option, "Print To," allows you to select the printer you'll be using. This can be a local printer or a service. Based on that setting, the next option, "Printer" has you select from a range of applicable attributes for that output device. You will also want to set the model's scale, and other attributes.

When all the settings are correct, go to "3D Print," which will prepare the model for printing, with a wide range of corrections to the geometry to ensure a good print job. Though to be honest, experience and trial and error are likely the best ways to ensure a good print job. Adobe has prepared a few videos that may help with the process: http://bit.ly/mpc_pshelp

This is where we ran into a problem, because at this time, Photoshop's selection of 3D printer drivers is rather limited, and does not include a driver for our current printer, XYZ Printing's da Vinci 1.0 AIO (the AIO refers to the "all-in-one" nature of the unit, as it also includes a 3D scanner).

We now have two options in order to print our model: We could set Photoshop to export the model in a compatible format, and bring it into the da Vinci printer's own printing software; or we could skip Photoshop altogether and take the downloaded model directly into the proprietary printing application.

Which is the best way to go about doing this? Well, some decisions are made for us, since the da Vinci software only imports .3w, .stl and .ntg files, none of which were included with the downloaded model. So, we set the "Print To" setting in Photoshop to "local," which then offers the option under Printer to "Export to STL."

Now, when we choose the "3D Print" option, we're given the option to "export." Perfect! The added advantage is that Photoshop will clean up any unruly geometry a model may have. And it now opens effortlessly in the printer's software.

As you can see from the da Vinci printer interface screen grab below, the toolset of this 3D printer is intentionally kept simple and easy to use. And while it may be impossible to make any 3D printer truly "easy," the makers of the da Vinci have created an interface that is no more difficult than your average desktop inkjet.

One way to tell we are still at the start of the technology is in learning how long it takes to actually do the new tech. Just like 2D printing used to be painfully slow, so 3D printing is today. I printed the sample "XYZ logo-keychain.stl" model that came with the printer. Its mere 2x3x1/4-inch size took 37 minutes to print. Such slow speeds may limit all those great ideas you came up with for mall booths, and it can be a real downer when you find a problem and need to reprint. But hold tight, it's bound to get faster down the road.

A few nice items to note about the da Vinci AIO unit, is that it is well made, fully enclosed (unlike many), and includes both scanning as well as printing, in one unit. While it is a large unit, it is well worth the trade. My only comment might be that connectivity is only via a USB connection, which limits how far away you can place the printer. But there may have been some technical reasons for not offering either ethernet or wireless options.

 


 

Creating Your Own Models

3D modeling is a huge and complex subject. But I want to take a moment to offer some reasonably easy to do options that will give you some alternatives to a life of only printing pre-made models.

Scanning

As mentioned, the da Vinci AIO has a built-in 3D scanner. This is fantastic. It would have been even better if it worked. The issues aren't the hardware, it is the buggy scan software supplied with the unit. I am a firm believer the company will work out the bugs and deliver a solid product. 

Photos to Mesh

One of the most popular ways to scan a model is to use software that converts a series of photos into a 3D model. This is nothing new, but the options have become more plentiful. There are even no-cost options that include the "123D Catch" cloud software from 3D industry giant Autodesk (www.123Dapp.com/catch).

While you can use 123D Catch to turn almost any item into a 3D model, it's always tempting to create a cyber version of a loved one, as we have started to do here. The other reason to do this: His head won't fit into the da Vinci scanner! As you can tell, this is still a work in progress.

Simple Models in Photoshop

Yet another thing that makes Photoshop great for the novice 3D practitioner is its ability to make some simple 3D models without too much fuss. In this example, we decided to make a 3D version of the MaximumPC logo.


To do this, we first found a similar typeface and got it as close possible to looking correct in 2D. All we had to do then was select the type and in the 3D menu choose "New 3D Extrusion from Selected Layer," which let us create basic 3D text of our logo.

But adding five-minutes of fiddling with all the settings gives us a much more pleasing model, as seen below. This model will also need to be placed on some type of base before printing, something that will hold all those separate letters together.

Keep in mind that for most 3D printers, the color isn't going to matter on the software side, as it's determined by the material you use in the machine. That said, you can always spray paint after printing if you want to.

Happy printing!

Newegg Daily Deals: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, XFX DD Radeon R9 290X GPU, and More!

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 11:39 AM PDT

Samsung 850 Pro

Newegg

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Other Deals:

G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 2400 Desktop Memory for $125 with free shipping (normally $135 - use coupon code: [EMCARAV32])

XFX Double Dissipation Radeon R9 290X 4GB Video Card for $300 with free shipping (normally $310 - use coupon code: [EMCARAV89]; additional $20 Mail-in rebate)

Refurbished EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti Superclocked 3GB Video Card Factory for $350 with free shipping (normally $380 - use coupon code: [EMCARAV35])

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Zotac Welcomes Broadwell to the Zbox Nano Family of Mini PCs

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 11:25 AM PDT

Zotac Zbox Nano BroadwellBroadwell kicks off Zotac's M-Series

As one of the more active players in the mini PC market, Zotac today announced the introduction of its new M-Series Zbox mini PC models with processors based on Intel's 14nm Broadwell microarchitecture inside. There are two models to begin with, the Zbox MI522 Nano and Zbox MI542 Nano, both of which measure a super scant 5 inches by 5 inches by 2 inches (127mm by 127mm by 45mm).

Several of today's mini PCs are surprisingly powerful, considering their tiny footprints. And on paper, Zotac's new MI522 and MI542 Nano boxes seem like strong contenders for secondary PCs, or primary systems for people who don't need a ton of computing power.

The only difference between the two systems is the processor -- the MI522 sports an Intel Core i3 5010U processor, a dual-core part clocked at 2.1GHz with Hyper Threading support and 3MB of cache, while the MI542 features a Core i5 5200U, also a dual-core chip, but clocked at 2.2GHz to 2.7GHz. Both lean on Intel HD Graphics 5500 (300MHz to 900MHz) for graphics chores.

Other specs include two DDR3-1600 slots with support for up to 16GB of RAM, 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD bay, 3-in-1 memory card reader, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, four USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, GbE LAN port, and HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2 outputs. Plus version of each model also come with 4GB of DDR3 memory and 500GB of internal storage (HDD).

One thing to keep in with these systems is that they don't come with an operating system, nor do they have an optical drive bay. That means you'll either need an external optical drive or a USB drive to install an OS. Also, in my experience with Zotac's small box systems, an SSD is a must.

No word yet on price or availability.

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Microsoft May Join Mobile Payments Fray

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 08:50 AM PDT

Microsoft SignMicrosoft is applying for licenses to be a money transmitter

The mobile payments category is on its way to becoming a bit crowded. We already have Apple Pay and Google Wallet, and around the bend we can spy Android Pay (which will be separate to Google Wallet) and Samsung Pay. Might we add Microsoft Pay to the mix? While nothing is yet imminent, it's being reported that Microsoft has quietly begun applying for money transmitter licenses in all 50 states and a handful of U.S. territories.

Microsoft's also not going to great lengths to hide its tracks and assumed intentions. On an application submitted by Microsoft at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) that was found by banking consultant Faisal Kahn, Microsoft used the name "Microsoft Payments, Inc.," ArsTechnica reports.

According to Kahn, Idaho was one of the first states to issue a money transmitter license to Microsoft, which is listed on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) registry. NMLS only publishes info on applications that have been approved.

ArsTechnica points out that Microsoft previously announced that Windows 10 for phones and small size tables would support Host Card Emulation, which could allow for transmitting credit card information without a Secure Element inside a SIM card. That's important because it makes Microsoft's payment platform independent of the SIM, and by extension, not tied to a specific wireless carrier.

Microsoft told Ars not to expect an announcement at this early stage, but did confess that "becoming a money service business gives us flexibility to provide new, innovative cloud services to our customers."

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MMORPG News

MMORPG News


Elder Scrolls Online: 5 ESO PvP Tips & Tricks

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 04:45 PM PDT

5 ESO PvP Tips & Tricks

There are so many things you can do in PvP to give you an edge over the other player. Today I'm going to unveil some of the tricks that I utilize every day in Cyrodiil. These will be a mix of tactics and addons that help me excel in PvP.

Diablo 3: New Goblins, Potions, Gems & Powers Added in Latest Update

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 06:48 AM PDT

New Goblins, Potions, Gems & Powers Added in Latest Update

The latest update to Diablo 3 has been released that brings several new items into the game as well as tweaks to classes, legendary items, seasonal game play and more.

General: Age of Wulin: Chapter 5: Heaven’s Ascent Coming April 28th

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 05:09 AM PDT

Age of Wulin: Chapter 5: Heaven

Webzen has announced that Age of Wulin (EU) developers will be launching the next content update on April 28th. Called Chapter 5: Heaven's Ascent, the update will include the Ladder to Heaven PvP feature that will match players in cross server battles for dominance. Players will also be able to move through content to gain the new, higher level gear coming with Chapter 5.

World of Warcraft: Crimean Accounts Suspended, Steep Price Increases in Russia

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 04:55 AM PDT

Crimean Accounts Suspended, Steep Price Increases in Russia

Crimean gamers woke up to find that Battle.net has suspended accounts as a result of Western-backed sanctions against Russia implemented to try to stop tensions between Russia and the Ukraine. Crimean players no longer have access to Heroes of the Storm, World of Warcraft, Starcraft II, Hearthstone, and Diablo III. While World of Warcraft has been blocked in Crimea for several months, Battle.net had remained open for Blizzard's other titles.

General: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Revealed

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 06:51 PM PDT

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Revealed

Square Enix had the lid blown off their 3-day campaign to reveal their next game. Game Informer has published the cover of its next issue with none other than a look at Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.

DC Universe Online: Munitions Power Set Now Live

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 04:41 PM PDT

Munitions Power Set Now Live

The DC Universe Online team has announced the release of the Munitions Power Set, the first power set to be sent out into the game in over a year. Players can now get hold of big guns and big explosives to make big BOOMS!

Dungeons & Dragons Online: Reign of Elemental Evil Arrives

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 02:32 PM PDT

Reign of Elemental Evil Arrives

Turbine has announced that maintenance on Dungeons & Dragons Online servers is complete and that the Reign of Elemental Evil is now live. Don't forget that Wil Wheaton will be "hosting" players as they progress through the new content. To celebrate the release, the DDO team has released a brand new trailer. Check it out!

Neverwinter: Elemental Evil Update Released

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 01:56 PM PDT

Elemental Evil Update Released

Neverwinter players have a lot to look forward to with today's release of the Elemental Evil module. The Paladin class enters the game along with DnD darlings, Minsc and Boo, who will shepherd players through the new content. The update also brings along a level cap increase to 70 and brand new quests, feats and new class feature powers and more.

Skyforge: Unlimited Buy Up for Character Progression Slowed by Caps

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 01:10 PM PDT

Unlimited Buy Up for Character Progression Slowed by Caps

The Skyforge team has taken to the official blog to lay out some of the underlying philosophy behind the game's monetization. Of most particular note is the inclusion of weekly caps on certain progression "currency" that should allay fears that characters can "buy their way" up to level cap. In addition, while players can accelerate their progress, they gain no advantage over others of a similar level.

Crowfall: Attacking & Defending Cities Detailed in New Video

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 12:16 PM PDT

Attacking & Defending Cities Detailed in New Video

The Crowfall team has released a new, interesting video to show off an essential component of the game that they call the Bloodstone Campaign ruleset. Building and defending cities is an integral part of the core PvP game play that Crowfall embodies. Players can attack, though they may run into roving defenders aimed at cutting off the attack before it happens. Check out the concept video to see it in action.

EverQuest II: Rum Cellar Beta Goes Live

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 12:02 PM PDT

Rum Cellar Beta Goes Live

EverQuest II players who want to assist the Daybreak Game Studio developers with testing Rum Cellar can now take part can now do so thanks to the beta going live. Players will need to download the full download via the beta patcher as the streaming download seems to be glitching according to a post on the EQII forum.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Two Expansions Announced Ahead of Release

Posted: 07 Apr 2015 11:28 AM PDT

Two Expansions Announced Ahead of Release

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn't due out for another month but that hasn't stopped CD Projeckt Red from announcing the first two paid expansions to the game. The expansions can be purchased through the newly announced "expansion pass" for $24.99, or individually for $9.99 and 19.99 respectively.

General: The Death of OnLive

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 04:36 PM PDT

The Death of OnLive

You might have heard this week that Sony bought OnLive, the streaming service for games and desktop tools, only to announce that the service will be shut down around April 30th. OK, so maybe many of you expected such a thing, and I am sure that anyone who had tried the service thought it might not last very long.

General: Star Wars Galaxies' Under-Performance

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 04:43 PM PDT

Star Wars Galaxies

During the last few weeks, the most thought-provoking MMOG-related thing that came to my attention may have been this post by veteran developer Gordon Walton about the role he played in the memorable (for most, not in a good way) Star Wars Galaxies New Game Enhancements (NGE). What he wrote led me to think again about what I stated late last year when I listed the SOE / LucasArts title among 5 MMOGs That Seriously Disappointed Me.

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