Dynamic, Real-Time 3D Animations

I use Lightwave3D and Flash to make "interactive" 3D animations and models. I put parentheses around interactive because the Flash is basically just many series of images that the user clicks through and chooses which animation to go to next. I know Flash can do some amazing things with formulas to create gravity, collisions, rotation of simple geometric objects like cubes, planes, etc.

But, I'm trying to figure out how to make completely interactive animations of complicated models based off of AutoCAD or similar files. I've seen animations where a user can spin the model completely 360 degrees on all axises, zoom in, click on certain parts to get more information and peer inside various parts. It's a pretty impressive and useful technology.

Has anyone made real-time simulations like this? Is there a software package that imports CAD files and can render the model in real-time to create this type of interactivity? If so, I would be the first in line to get it and add that technology to my portfolio.

Flash and Spiders

It's about time!!!! Finally, Flash is going to be searchable by Google and Yahoo spiders!

Original Article

Adobe is working with Google and Yahoo to develop algorithms that will spider Flash SWF files. Apparently the spider works by navigating through the SWF file just like how a human would: by clicking through each page and manually going through the content. It remembers and indexes the text that it comes across and follows the various URLs.

Personally, this is an extremely promising advance in search engine technology for me. To be able to make a completely Flash website that could end up on the top of a search result without an HTML version, extensive sitemap, or wild work-arounds would be a dream. I might have to revamp my website to actually create what I have in mind once they've perfected the technology!

Please visit my site to see some of my more recent projects: http://www.syngraphics.com

Flash and PowerPoint

I've been making Flash animations, websites, and presentations for a few years now. Over the past 6 months or so, I've seen an increase in demand for Flash animations embedded into PowerPoint. Apparently, people are starting to realize that, although PowerPoint is a great tool, it is pretty limited when it comes to creating dynamic, engaging, fun presentations. Those built-in transitions and "art" are limited, to put it nicely, and rarely add any value.

My question is, "Have any of you designers out there noticed a similar rise in interest and demand for Flash in PowerPoint lately? Or is it just me?"

I feel like the word is getting out there that Flash can be useful in the corporate world. Hopefully it is just me and I've been getting lucky with my growing workload, but I'm not so sure.

As always, if you would like some help spicing up your presentation or website, please shoot me an email to discuss what you have in mind. Also, please visit my site to see some of my more recent projects: http://www.syngraphics.com