100th Entry RAF Locking 1962-1964

GeoffW · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:47 am Post subject:

Hi Tony, the interior shots are great. I seem to remember a "suite" on one floor for the duty staff nco but can't remember exactly where Confused

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All the best
Geoff
Do it while you can and grow old disgracefully!

admin · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

Geoff, I don't remember where I lived, let alone anyone else!

I've figured out the problem with shadows in Google Earth. Seems it's not too keen on transparant PNG textures which I've used to mass produce the windows. I can get round it by making the windows transparent one way (looking in) for the Google Earth version of the blocks.

A few drafts of the Beach Club are on the same page in PhotoBucket. They are only roughs and yes I know the proportion of the doors in relation to the juke box etc is bonkers, but I haven't decided on scaling yet.
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

Has anyone with a PhotoBucket account tried to upload videos? I have been messing about with video coverage of 3D models but, no matter how small I make the video file, PhotoBucket reduce it further and generally distort and degrade it even though they claim you can upload "max video size: 5 minutes, 100 MB". Here is an example, the original file size is 3.26MB but PB have reduced it to 1.283MB and distorted the page size....

http://s89.photobucket.com/albums...t=BlockPlusRooftesting8x6_NEW.flv

Got any ideas for getting round this, or know any free video hosting sites that don't carve up and distort your files?
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

GeoffW · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:50 am Post subject:

Tony, thats absolutely brilliant Very Happy

Have you tried You Tube http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MX5GEOFF
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All the best
Geoff
Do it while you can and grow old disgracefully!

admin · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

Thanks Geoff, it's only an experiment using an old model.

I've looked at Google video and You Tube which both mess with the file in exactly the same way as PhotoBucket; it's something to do with streaming video and creating data that the average user would be able to access. They all use the Flash format (.fla) because most people have the Flash player installed in their browser so don't have to download anything, but the downside is that resolution is severely reduced to meet the streaming video requirements. In addition, PB use an odd frame size (430x389) which distorts the standard 4:3 output from most movie creators.

I found that it you create an .fla file first, yourself, then upload it you get the minimum re-encoding from PB. I think this is the best I can achieve under the circumstances but even so, the original file from Sketchup is 176MB but the final cut on PB is less than 3MB! http://s89.photobucket.com/albums...ew&current=Block20mmVIDEO.flv

If you find it useful, I can do a longer video using the latest models and taking more care 'flying' round. Also I now have a Ray Trace rendering plugin which allows me to add lighting and more realistic materials. Here are a couple of tests using the Beach Club model (they are not intended to be the actual lighting, just tests to see how the plugin works).
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums...ocking/Maps/3D/BeachClubTest1.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums...ocking/Maps/3D/BeachClubTest2.jpg
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject:

As some of you know, I have a long-term plan to re-create 'RAF Locking 1962' as a scale 3D model which will eventually be registered with the Google Earth community as a tribute to the 100th Entry. Having now sorted out some technical issues with shadows and textures, I have placed some of the blocks in their rough locations and blocked in the playing field and parade square. Each accommodation block can be viewed from inside and out by looking through the windows or actually 'walking' in and around the building. Most models do not sit exactly on the ground because of undulations on Google Earth which was mapped after the blocks were demolished (leaving mounds of earth). I will get round this in the final cut by 'designing' the ground myself. Of the accommodation blocks, only E and F blocks, facing the playing field, will be worked up further to show more detail and may also include a 3D photo gallery featuring some 100th members in various poses around the blocks.

If anyone wants to look at the current Google Earth model, let me know and I will send you the file link (you will need Google Earth 4 on your computer to view it). For those who don't want to be bothered, there are a couple of shots at the end of this page... http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k233/raflocking/Maps/3D/

For those who are curious but are reluctant to use Google Earth, you can mess around with the WIP models here http://100th.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/100_3D.html but you will still need to download a small browser add-on to see and operate the interactive models (see earler post). There is no way (yet) of displaying 3D models in a standard browser without downloading a viewer add-on.
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

The Google Earth model is progressing slowly. Some of the major 'landmarks' blocked in. There is a large "100th Entry" flag hanging off the crane, but it needs more contrast.

Snapshots...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k233/raflocking/Maps/3D/WIP1.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k233/raflocking/Maps/3D/WIP2.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k233/raflocking/Maps/3D/WIP3.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k233/raflocking/Maps/3D/WIP4.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k233/raflocking/Maps/3D/WIP5.jpg

Model...
http://100th.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/100_3D.html "Locking Camp".
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:50 pm Post subject:

Peter Harry from the 104th has uploaded a map of Locking Camp in 1964, taken from the 'Arrival Information Handbook', on the 104th site http://www.104thlocking.org.uk/LockingPlans.htm . Looks good to me.
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admin · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

....and the full Locking 'Arrivals Handbook' (minus the map) is here http://www.104thlocking.org.uk/LockingHandbook.htm
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:03 pm Post subject:

I stumbled across something on Microsoft Maps Live called "Collections". It picks up refs from the web and puts markers on the map. Although I have never submitted anything to Maps Live, they still seem to have extracted bits from Google Earth, with descriptions and photos (DON'T CLICK ON THE "SEE THIS LOCATION IN BIRD'S EYE VIEW" POP UP, IT WILL FADE OUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS).....
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx...1&explore=sst.0&encType=1
Item 1 is from somebody else.

You can zoom the map out and then click on 'Collections' / 'Explore Collections' to get wider coverage of the area as input by others. For example, Weston Super Mare area...
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx...1&explore=sst.0&encType=1
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: New Google Maps controls

Google have once more introduced new code for the Maps API (application programming interface). This time to update the controls and views as one line of code, supposedly to make it easier for future updates without the need for retrospective code change by webmasters.

The main changes are:

- the nav controls have a "modern"(?) 3D look
- the views that can be selected show automatically as 'Map', 'Satellite', 'Hybrid' and 'Terrain'
- the mouse scoll wheel is automatically set to zoom.

Example here http://100th-entry-locking.org.uk/GoogleMapBristolNEW.html (modified Bristol map)
Let me know if you have any objections, questions or suggestions before I go and change the 100th Maps page.
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

GeoffW · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:01 am Post subject:

G'day Tony
I am sure I've been using those controls for a while, they seem to do a decent job for me, so I would say go for the change. I've been doing some route planning with these maps recently. How daft of Google not to have a facility where you can save a generated route to my maps!!! Rolling Eyes

Other than that I love wondering round the world looking at places I have been
to.Keep up the good work Tony, the site is an absolute credit to you and the efforts you have put into it
All the best
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All the best
Geoff
Do it while you can and grow old disgracefully!

admin · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:42 am Post subject:

Thanks Geoff. Yes, I've seen the new controls around the www but unfortunately Google don't inform you of changes so you have to find out for yourself, either when the maps stop working or if you visit the Google forums.

Seems that the problem of not being able to save your routes to "My Maps" is quite a common grumble and I suppose Google will do something about it eventually. There are a couple of suggested work arounds here http://groups.google.com/group/Go...aps-How-Do-I/msg/e08bf09977dff007 but I don't know if they are any good. Failing that, you can still click on "Link" at the top right of your generated route map, copy the URL and save it in a text file or email it to yourself for future use.
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

As a further experiment, I have tried to incorporate 'Street View' into the maps. I don't plan on doing this for all the 100th maps, but may include the function in the "TOOLS" map. Here is a rough example based around the Colston Hall in Bristol. The streets that have been photographed are outlined in blue. Click on one of these streets and a flash player should start up beneath the map with interactive panoramic views of the area you click on.

http://100th-entry-locking.org.uk/GoogleMapBristolNEW_street3.html

Zoom the map out to see the whole of the UK (or anywhere else) and select "Map" view. All the towns and cities that have been photographed so far are highlighted in blue, so you should be able to home in on any of these to see street views for that area.

Although a town is identified as having been photographed, it doesn't mean that the WHOLE area has been covered. I initially tried to use Monty's old flat in Bristol but it hadn't been included which is why I focussed on the Colston Hall area in the example.
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

100th web site Maps now updated. New controls and functions on SW England, Weston, RAF Locking, Bristol and Exercises. New controls, functions and Street View on Tools. It all SEEMS to work OK. I particularly like the fact that you can now use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out from the place that the mouse pointer is over without losing the spot off map.
http://www.100th-entry-locking.org.uk/100_Gmaps.html
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:26 pm Post subject:

Tadcaster Road in York has been photographed. The entrance to the Marriott Hotel (100th reunion 2010) can seen in Street View by clicking on Tadcaster Road near to:
53.941848,-1.105172
53.941963,-1.105094
53.94168,-1.105303
To do this, go to http://100th-entry-locking.org.uk/100_Gmaps.html and click on "Tools" from the "Select an area..." list just above the map frame. To the left of the map, find the text box underneath the caption "Find a Lat, Long Position" and paste in 53.941848,-1.105172 (or one of the other refs above). Make sure you paste OVER any existing text, or delete it first. Click on the "Go to Lat Long" button. A marker will appear in the middle of the York blue area. Zoom right into this marker (just move the zoom bar on the left of the map up to the "+" icon) and select "Hybrid" view (top of the map, 3rd of the 4 selections available) to see a satellite picture with the roads overlay. Now just click on Tadcaster Road, very close to the marker (not on the actual marker itself), and the Street View frame to the right of the map should display the Marriott entrance. Use the Street View controls or your mouse to navigate around the area.

Sounds long winded, but it's very easy once you have tried it. Or maybe somebody can provide a more succinct explanation?
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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page

admin · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

If anyone is interested, a Google interactive 3D globe can now be viewed from within a browser without having to load the full Google Earth application. It requires a browser plug-in which is loaded automatically with the user's permission. I have tested it in Firefox 3.5.2 and Internet Explorer 8.0. There are some trial links for RAF Locking below, but you will need a broadband connection as the files are quite large and each file takes a few seconds to load. The controls are the same as for Google Earth, but all the other Google Earth functions are disabled.

Locking Camp 1962/3
http://100th-entry-locking.org.uk...leMapEarth_HTtestCOMPONENTS2.html

Locking Camp 1962/3 with tags
http://100th-entry-locking.org.uk...h_HTtestCOMPONENTS2_plusTAGS.html

Locking Camp bird's eye view 1993
http://100th-entry-locking.org.uk...GoogleMapEarth_HTtest_plusOL.html

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TONY LINDON - click here for 100th Entry web site member's page