Algodoo

What is this about? When I start Algodoo, nothing happens. Please explain. Thanks

Vinayak - Thanks for the instructions, but my point was for icris984 to describe how the scene works either in his/her scene description or in the scene itself. If I wanted to, I could dig into the scene and eventually figure out how it works, but people should not have to do that. A properly made scene includes a set of instructions.

Cheers!

Yup! Thanks!

I agree with s_noonan. Your scripting is very impressive. The only thing that can be improved, in my opinion, are the controls for entering the numeric values. They are a little awkward to use. My suggestion would be to make them a little larger and cleaner. Maybe make the + and - buttons look like real buttons, etc. Also, as an added feature, you could allow users to select COLOR. Overall, you did a great job!

EDIT: I just saw s_noonan's "Text Mapping" tutorial. That should make entering the values a lot cleaner if you decide to do it that way.

WOW! This is really cool!

I have 2 questions, sir....

1. In step #3 you say to add axles in the target positions, but when I select the finished box (3rd one on right side) I no longer see the axles. What happened to them?

2. What are "span" and "span color" properties? I've never seen those for text before. Thanks!

This feature would be a very nice addition in some scenes that could be improved by using it.

Awesome! Thanks again.

nansjes1 - A good place to start is the Algodoo forum. That's where most of us (maybe even ALL of us) learned how to write Thyme script. There are lots of example scenes and tutorials there. And once you've registered and logged in, you can ask questions.

Only 2 hours? Some of my scenes have taken 2 to 3 weeks to complete.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not believe that this type of rotary vane pump, which compresses the "fluid", can operate with liquids (due to the fact that all liquids are incompressible). It can only work with gasses such as air.

I searched the web and was not able to find a specific statement that says "a rotary vane pump cannot be used for pumping liquids". BUT I know beyond any doubt that liquids cannot be compressed, and so what the pump in this Algodoo scene is doing is a physical impossibility. It happens in spite of the physics because Algodoo is not perfect, and does have some flaws and inaccuracies. Liquids in Algodoo, under certain situations, CAN be compressed!

It's my understanding that there are two types of rotary vane pumps. The type used for transferring liquids does not have an offset rotor shaft and therefore it simply "pushes" the liquid through the pump in sort of a "bucket brigade" fashion. So, in other words, the liquid gets transferred, but it does not get compressed. The other type of pump has an offset rotor shaft (like the one in your scene), and because it does compress, it can only be used for gasses. So, the type used for liquids can be called a pump, but it cannot be called a compressor. The type used for compressing gasses can of course be called a compressor.

I wish I could find a web link to back up what I'm telling you, but at this point I cannot. Maybe someone else could chime in with some knowledgeable information to either support or rebut what I said.

Xray

Great idea for a scene! BUT, a suggestion would be to add some text to explain what people are looking at. For example, explain the difference between the three surfaces and how they affect the liquid, etc.

Thanks faytree, lololoer, icris, and Gent! I appreciate your comments.

kilinich - Not really. Animations must have many frames for smooth motion. Too simple, and the animation looks choppy.

Jastin?
Maybe he will want to kill YOU for spelling his name wrong!

It looks more like one of those party favors that shoot out confetti instead of a volcano! Needs some work....

It looks like a Chinese actor in a bad monkey suit!

Good job. It's only slightly laggy on my computer, but no big deal. The scene was well made.

By the way, I think it would be more helpful to people if you would use Internet address links in your scenes rather than ISBN numbers. Everyone knows how to use a link, but very few know what an ISBN number is or how to use it.

Wow! This is really cool. Very interesting mechanism!

Good job!

I think the "O" key on your keyboard is stuck. You should get it fixed.

Of course just a link, NOT the entire book! Then the user can decide if they want to purchase the book, or read the material (if free).

Angelinox - I don't understand your first question, but I can answer your second question. The man's hand doesn't have color because that just happens to be the way the picture was when I copied it.

The correct spelling is "Vending".

Too much LAG.

No problem! I will help you if you want my help.

Here is the original scene where I got the idea from: Time Control Beta

Nice! But there is another way to reveal the secret message:
1. Select the white geometry and stretch it out so that it's longer vertically.
2. Select the TEXTURE TOOL, and with the white geometry still selected, hold your mouse cursor over the white geometry and click the center mouse wheel. You can also scroll the wheel to make the hidden message larger or smaller.

Wow, this is really cool! The mechanism LOOKS crude, but it works quite well. Good job!

OUCH! I didn't see that coming and it caught me right across my chin!

Yes, that's true about gas stations employing rotary vane pumps for pumping fuel, and I'm pretty sure that the rotor is concentric with the stator in that type of application. The type of rotary vane pump that has an offset rotor (non-concentric) is typically used for compressing gasses, and (as I use in my X-ray repair business) is often used as a vacuum pump.

Bueno!