XSI GUI

I spent the last day or so customizing my XSI 5 interface to something that I really want to use for modeling again. I had a custom layout for 4.0, but it was ugly and didn’t shuffle around any of the existing elements. I’m pretty happy with the new design – it borrows heavily from the Maya layout, but I have to use that a lot at work anyway, so it’s not a bad thing.

I figured that with the new top-screen menus for Model/Animate/Render/etc. there was no reason to duplicate those menus on the left side. So I moved the weight and color panels to the right side. The upper toolbar might get some panels later if I run out of space (very much like the predefined Main Shelf), but for now I don’t have enough buttons and don’t need them.

Click on the image for a bigger version with descriptions. I might pack this up and release it later if there’s interest. For that I’ll have to create/replace a few more buttons, though.

Update: Download here!

It’s Dead, Jim

Nothing says “Welcome home!” from a weekend trip (we went to Grass Valley for Victoria’s birthday) like a dead wireless router and a mad scramble to CompUSA to get a new one – 10 minutes before they close. 80 bucks later I got everything working again. Too bad we missed Heathrow’s big outing in Mill Valley while we were in Grass Valley, but at least there’s a report on Wolfi’s page. And the trip was a lot of fun, we got to meet several of Victoria’s old friends. I might have to write a report about it later.

Returning to the Scene of the Crime

I wasn’t planning anything for this year (my proposed level design panel got turned down), but another visual Arts GDC 2006 lecture is looking like a distinct possibility now. More details soon.

Christmas Pictures

Christmas vacation in Germany, Day 7.
Somebody⁽¹⁾ posing at the entrance of something old, big and towering⁽²⁾. We had tried to go to Cologne the day before to attend Thomas’ birthday bash, but got snowed in badly enough to not even try. At least we visited the same brewery once we got to Cologne, pictures to follow. The drive back was “fun” – the GPS/mapping system I had borrowed from my dad fell down during the trip and somehow the option “Avoid highways where possible” got set. So all of the sudden the thing sent me on a wild goose chase through the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason, and it took an additional 45 minutes to get home. Stupid really, especially because I didn’t need the GPS in the first place. The drive from Essen to Cologne is about as straight-forward as it gets, I just didn’t know downtown Cologe well enough.

Obviously I didn’t get around to updating the page over the weekend, our deadline dragged out. I’ll start updating more regularly again now that we’re done, though. I promise⁽³⁾!

⁽¹⁾ Victoria, ⁽²⁾ Cologne Cathedral, ⁽³⁾ Not a promise

Moving

Worch.com is moving registrars this weekend and that url and email might not work for a bit. All the other addresses still work as usual, of course.

Looking for Pools Of Darkness?

In recent months I’ve been getting Google referrals for people looking to download Pools of Darkness. I do not offer the game for download here, but if you really want it (and you should, it’s one of the best CRPGs of all time), might I suggest buying it here? It’s only 13 bucks for all Gold Box and EOB games!

Busy Busy Busy

I’ve been doing 16+ hour days for a game-related deadline, so webpage updates haven’t exactly been a priority. I’ll resume posting xmas pictures this weekend, tho!

Only In America

I don’t think it can get any more typical. Here’s a town that hasn’t been allowed to legally serve beer for 131 years, and what is the first beer that they serve after the ban is lifted? A Budweiser. In a plastic cup. I’m surprised they didn’t add ice to it. I mean Jesus people, have some self-respect!

Christmas Pictures

Christmas vacation in Germany, Day 1.
We go to the city to do some last minute christmas shopping. Victoria was getting kind of angry at the fact that everything was so Americanized, you couldn’t enter a store without seeing English-speaking artists, movies etc. Nothing that a good, old-fashioned Glühwein on the Christmas Market couldn’t cure, though. Well, actually she really started ranting after that mug of alcohol, but you didn’t hear that from me.

Chrismas Pictures

Christmas vacation in Germany, Day 2.
We meet up with most of the old mailbox/Doom/Quake/Braindead crowd. Almost everybody makes it into the picture. Bis auf Andre, der nicht da war dieser Unzuverlässling! Uncheckbar, wie Olli frueher gesagt haette…