last modified: [8/1/97]
 
note: this color indicates an alternative design

STAGE 1 of implementation -- corresponds to "novice user" interface

1. Create 3 RG |DONE|
2. Create 3 interfaces for low, medium and high screens. |DONE|
(Note: ONLY "novice user" part should be functional). Use MAC OS standard interface conventions for the interface graphics -- a la QuickTime compression menu.)
3. Create 3 diffirent versions of the same world: "low reality," "medium reality," "high reality."
The world will be generated by a program on the fly from a library of images (elements and backgrounds). Thus it will never be exactly the same.

STAGE 2 --
create image libraries, opening animation, including a fictional computer with a control console
create sound effects

STAGE 3 -- corresponds to "super user" interface --
Implement the effect of continuous sliders on the world.

? in "super interface" after diffirent slides are selected only a still image is displayed, as opposed to animation (my artwork?)

Main interface screen. GIF image is main-interface-1.gif [image will be eventualy re-done]
NOTE: I have an original Photoshop image which has all elements on SEPARATE levels.

RG interfaces
novice user RG
expert user RG interface
super user RG interface

 NOTE: initially novice user RG interface appears. Clicking on "more" button reveals expert user RG interface.
Clicking on the second "more" button reveals super user RG interface. The third "more button" is not functional.

control interfaces

low reality controls
medium reality controls
high reality controls

RG interface displays -- more detail

? make interface visuals, i.e poor and broken looking for LR, sleek looking for HR

Display technology

low: pre-rendered 3D sprites in all positions (exept up and down)
medium: use the same database (not all sprites are used)
high: pre-rendered animation

Some of the dimensions which change between the versions of reality
low reality --- high reality :
world has gaps -- completely filled and continuos
construction suports are visible -- construction suports are invisible
[note: supports are as "detailed" and textured as reality itself"
b & w -- color
discreete movement (a la Myst) -- continuos movement (pre-rendered pan)
deep 3D space (although made from stills) -- flat, 2 1/2 space consisting from planes
still images, but full freedom of navigation (objects "turn away" when you try to go around them) --"jumping" camera (medium) -- smooth motion but very limited interactivity (high)
looks like Russia -- looks like LA

Reality scene architecture

solipsism feature
scene architecture sketch

1
2
3
4
5
6
 

sketch of set I
sketch of set II

Visual and design ideas: [modified 8/1/97]
- add noise in Director on top of images before displaying them
- use the singular noise image (Photoshop -> render clouds) for the sky and the ground, but offset and filter it diffirently each time
- implement "Potemkin Village" function -- the user sees that the scene is made from facades but when s/he tries to go around, the appropriate move button become disabled

1. Short full screen animation: images flashing from the history of computing and media machines [montage from Lev's material]
2. Title: "Reality Generator I." Dissolve to --
3. Still of the 1950-1960s computer, control panel is the center [preferably actual Soviet computer]. Dissolve to --

4. Main interface screen -- a menu of: [done in war games style]

play introduction [plays 1-3 -- see above]
go to Reality Generator [goes to RG interface screen ].
reality designs library [goes to a database of still images and animations -- my artwork]
reference library [ goes to a database of reference photos and videos shot on locations]
credits
quit

NOTE: for the databases, it may be possible to use Ramesh's technology, so the user can search for images.

4. RG interface screen.
after user selects setting and presses "start reality button," "generating reality" meu pops on top, animated bar 
5. Short animation with images of diffirent media codes (film strips, tape, computer cards, etc.) [and historical scenes?]. Go to --
6. Appropriate reality screen --

low reality screen or
medium reality screen or
high reality screen

NOTE: use these FINAL control designs :

low reality controls
medium reality controls
high reality controls 

7. When the user selects "quite" button, go to [4].