TRIANGLE OF STARS

A C Program to Print          

    *

   **

  ***

 ****

*****

void main()
{
int i,j,k,n;
clrscr();
scanf("%d",&n);
for(i=1;i<=n;i++)
{
for(j=n-1;j>=i;j--)
{
printf(" ");
}
for(k=1;k<=i;k++)
{
printf("*"); 
}
printf("
"); 
}
getch();
} 

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Rogers and Samsung and Jelly Bean 4 3 – Incompetence underscored … perhaps taken to the level of fine art … UPDATED

If you have not yet allowed your Samsung S3 to upgrade to Jelly Bean 4.3, DON’T!!!!!  My absolutely brilliant phone under Jelly Bean 4.2.2 is now a broken piece of ****.

UPDATE: I finally found a solution. I bought Helium (which used to be called Carbon) backup and backed up everything from my phone. I then did a hard reset and wiped everything. Once it came back Google restored the apps automatically and then I had Helium restore the settings. Sure enough, everything works again. But be aware, not everything comes back exactly as before. But it is mostly the same and now I have the features of Jellybean 4.3 …

Samsung have been plagued by complaints from all over the world for almost two months now, and frankly I do not see things getting better.

My main problems were (both are now working):

• Phone will not ring. (This is kind of big.)
• Battery dies in hours if I switch WiFi on. (I can live without it, but it is inconvenient.)

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Joss Whedon endorses Mitt Romney!!! Well … sort of …

You may remember Joss Whedon from some of the best science fiction and fantasy television to ever grace the small screen (and the big one) … I’m talking Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Serenity, Doll House … and so on.

Now here he is giving Mitt Romney the endorsement that he deserves …

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PROCEDURAL Question of Brick Stacking

See the stacking formation of bricks above? How would  you think one could achieve this inside Blender? Any idea?



Python scripting could definitely give nice solutions of object stacking like above. At the moment, I am still working on my Python skill, so it is going to take a while if I actually write script. There is probably script out there that does similar thing. This is after all, a classic CG problem.

NO SCRIPTING WAY
So, if not scripted, maybe we should look for different ways we can achieve this?

Stacking of objects is actually an interesting Mathematical problem. To create a bricky structure that is truly procedural, using random size of objects, and stack it on top of one another without interpenetration happening between objects. Can the basic structure shape be based on a simple object supplied by user? (cylinder, taper, sphere, maybe alphabet letter)

Other objects that require stacking logic:
- Books
- Buildings
- Cardboard Boxes
- LEGO (of course!)
- Google Image Search (ever wonder how those image nicely stacked on top of each other?)

There are many possible solutions for this matters. I am interested to know your solution to this problem :)

Maybe:

• Use Bullet Physics? Just place objects and then let it dynamically relax.
• Maybe use NodeBox2 solution?
• Maybe you can just fake it using Boolean?
• Can we use Particles?

Perhaps just doing it by hand is also sufficient? Just provide few variations of stackings, mix them together into structure and then our eyes or brain cannot really tell the different.


UPDATE 2012.08.24
PARTICLE SOLUTIONS:


Ok, here is one of easy solution hack for this.

We know that it is really easy to get a brick structure using Array Modifier. So we can start from that organized structure of bricks (ABOVE IMAGE: Top). Easy to do manually, just few seconds of setup.

Now, to actually randomize the structure, we then use Particle Group Instancing to replace each structured brick with a  randomized version of the bricks. Here, I supplied 4 different variation bricks.

By replacing each bricks with imperfect structure, you get something that is more or less random (ABOVE IMAGE : Bottom).

Further tweak, you continue apply all kind of randomness using Modifers.

• Displace Modifier
• Subdivide: Simple
• Displace Modifier
• Smooth: Iterate
• Displace Modifier
• and so on...

Furthermore, you can always go to the base and do manual tweak or sculpt it. This add more natural randomness.

Then next is just adding some procedural texture and displacement. By now, your eyes can no longer see the pattern and your brain will think that the brick model is more complex that it actually is.

Basic building block and template = SIMPLE. Mixing them together = will give you a more complex result.

BONUS: Voronoi Method

You can also do something like this using the Cell Fracture in Blender (get version 2.64 up).

This is kind of procedural too, but once-off Python script method.

In fact, the Cell Fracture is doing a lot of procedural hard work, Boolean and clever checking of overlapping and deletions. The resulting voronoi shards of Cell Fracture is not always 100% perfect, but it is pretty good.

Combine this kind of thing with Blender incoming Bullet Physics, it is just great.

BLENDER INSPIRED HOUDINI, HOUDINI INSPIRED BLENDER
All these kind procedural stuffs was actually inspired by Houdini artists.

I was doing this earlier today inside Houdini:
http://houdoodles.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/procedural-brick-stacking.html

The stacking can be done procedurally and in real time. It is the strength of procedural package like Houdini. But you know, Blender is also magical and awesome in my personal opinion.

It is fun to see Blender to work with other 3D tools and how you would approach one problem using all set of different tools.

Check out another example below:
"Houdini Voronoi Procedural Rock Brick Generator" by Johnny Core.



UPDATE 2012.08.26: WALL FACTORY ADD-ON
I got this info from Liero at Blender Artist forum regarding pending Blender Add-On called "Wall Factory":
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.6/Py/Scripts/Add_Mesh/WallFactory

That is something to look into, in near future. Apparently still WIP (work in progress), not yet final:

SEE ALSO
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.6/Py/Scripts/Add_Mesh/Masonry
http://www.blender.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18934&sid=b8993d9226716d562bd39c7a2ec99730

UPDATE 2012.12.25

See also:
Advanced Array Modifier by Fabio
https://vimeo.com/34468992
http://www.blendernation.com/2012/01/05/advanced-array-modifier/

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Creation Of Realistic Shadow effect

Creation Of  Realistic Shadow effect

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6th Anniversary of Devastating Earthquake Have we learnt any lessons

8th October 2005 was the day when people in Pakistan saw the earthquake and its devastating effects. We saw people going down and we saw people rising up, rising above the angels. We in Islamabad felt the jolt and then witnessed numerous casualties. Luckily it was the holly month of Ramadan when the Muslims were fasting and their sprits were very high.

After this devastation which left over 75,000 dead and over 200,000 seriously injured a great rescue efforts began. This was characterized by individual sense of responsibilities. The Government except Health Ministry was hardly visible. The initial efforts were all carried out by volunteers on their own.

It will be surely a stupid thing to say that earthquake was a blessing. It was a punishment for our many deeds. It can be a blessing only if we amend our behavior so that we do not get severer penalty in the Hereafter where we will see every good deed of weight of an atom and we shall see every bad deed of weight of an atom and when a person will like to distant him/herself from bad deeds like the distance of skies and the earth.

The spiritual and mental status does have direct effect on physical health and community health. Immoral behaviors lead to AIDS and alcoholism and people fell prey to IMF and World Bank AIDS which are no less sever threat to mankind.

The people of Pakistan and Pakistanis living abroad responded like no one. They helped like no one in the modern times. We saw these above angel people who donated entire chemist shops, entire bakeries; soon there were trucks full of goods like a chain of ants and millions of volunteers doing good acts. May Allah accept all these and turn this nation into a torch bearer and make this nation a leader of the world. Aameen.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad being the premium most hospital and tertiary care center played a very crucial and pivotal role in all spheres of relief operations of Earthquake. The 8th October 2005 earthquake was one of the most devastating human disasters. It occurred in first Ashra (Ten days) of the holy month of Ramzan that is also known as the Ashra of Rahmah (Blessings). There was special Rahmah (Blessing) on twin cities that miraculously saved from great devastations despite the jolts of very high severity. Almost all Pakistanis were fasting and were in high spiritual mode. This resulted in very quick and generous response with intelligent use of resources matching almost the severity of the earthquake. The entire nation and Muslim Ummah acted as one solid team who knew what to do and when to do. The generosity and selflessness created great examples to be followed. Al-Hamdolillah a great work underwent towards relief and rehabilitation. Honorable Health Minister, Secretary Health along with their entire team were holding twice daily meeting at PIMS to review the overall situation and take swift and immediate actions.

The earthquake of 8th Oct. 2005 was 7.6 on the Richter Magnitude Scale that struck the northern region of Pakistan has had a tremendous toll on human and their meager belongings. It wiped out the entire villages and killed more than 100,000 people including many school children trapped under the rubbles of the school buildings. And while relief operation began pouring in very soon after the quake, it became apparent that it was not an easy task to deliver help and aid where needed. At this traumatic juncture, human ingenuity and worldwide response allowed us to scale horizons never dreamed in the past. Al-Hamdolillah Pakistanis proved themselves a great nation. Pakistani nation has set an example for other nations of the world to follow. The earthquake has proved yet again that the people of this society are courageous, God-fearing, affectionate and caring.

Conclusion

It is heartening that Pakistanis living in Pakistan and abroad, Muslims and World at large rapidly and swiftly moved into action to help suffering humanity in 8th October 2005 earthquake. PIMS acted as the hub for many of these activities.

PIMS Al-Hamdolillah provided a glaring example. PIMS All the Departments played their due share. The PIMS had organized one of the most elaborate volunteers system which provided blood, material and manpower help in carrying out procedures, laboratory tests, food, water and drug supply. Over 800 volunteers were registered by the Department of Pathology at Islamabad Hospital. The profiteers and quakes were not allowed to take advantage of the situation. Without the help of these volunteers the hospital would have not coped with such magnitude of disaster. Al-Hamdolillah we came out highly successful and now we are on the way of long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction path.

Have we learnt any lessons?

Our nation needs to learn lessons before it is too late. Let us on this 6th Anniversary of the devastating earthquake do some soul searching. Where were our failures? Why most of the money is not spent on the rehabilitation and went into the pockets of corrupts. Are we more prepared? We did not have equipments to quickly remove the debris of the buildings. Mere lip services are not sufficient. Only those nations survive which do vry firm and quick accountability. We have yet to see Hamoodur Rehman report implementation on devastation of loss of East Pakistan, Negligent and criminals in civilians and Khakis have not been brought o justice. Not punishing the criminals create heavily fertilized for growth of more future monsters. It is the responsibility of an independent judiciary to punish the top criminals to stop this visiciou circle, cycle and circus once for all.

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Winner of 2012 Singtel Grid Girls Ashvin Sandhu Emily Chia Esther Leong

Singapore, 2nd September 2012 – This year, SingTel teamed up with race promoter, Singapore GP to organise a series of exciting race-themed roadshows across Singapore, culminating in the grand finale roadshow with plenty of carnival activities this weekend.

The roadshow also featured the unveiling of this years F1™ trophy and crowning of the top 3 2012 SingTel Grid Girls, Singapores fastest electric go-karter and the champions of the F1™ in Schools fastest car and go-kart challenge this evening.

Congratulations to the top three 2012 Singtel Grid Girls. The top Grid Girl for this year goes to Ashvin Sandhu, 21, who an avid F1 fan who has watched almost every race over the past few years. Follow up the second place: Emily Chia, 21, who a lover of fast cars and lastly, third place: Esther Leong, 23, who thrives on the adrenaline of the race and extreme sports.

Emily Chia, Ashvin Sandhu, Esther Leong

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Winner of SingTel Grid Girls 2013 Shannon Lim Jermayne Chow Stacey Liu

Singapore, 19 September 2013 - SingTel, the main sponsor of 2013 Singapore Grand Prix had unveiled the top three winner of SingTel Grid Girl 2013 tonight at The Pit Lane Experience. Congratulation to Shannon Lim, 23, who won the honour of holding the Singapore Flag as this years top favourite SingTel Grid Girl and hence, she will be flagging off the race this weekend. In second and third place were Jermayne Chow and Stacey Liu.

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