Starting the Attack

I had another meeting with Dr. Polack today; the main topic of discussion was the transportation data set and how to model it.  We’ve tentatively decided that my 3-d visualization should have dual functionality:  first, click on the type of transportation, and then the “bar chart” type data will appear over the regions on the US map.   The new addition?   Clicking on a region will break down the data by state and display each the percentages for each state.  I’m not entirely sure how I want to do that, however.   Individual bars will clutter the map far too much, and just saying it in “chat” it not very visual or long-lasting on the screen.  I guess I’ll just have to muse on that while I’m out doing bigger and better things.

In other news,  I started the grunt work for the transportation visualization.  After looking around for a while, I decided it would need a lot of room, so I started building on the lower level of the UMW workspace (you can just look down from Greta’s workspace to see where I am).   So far, I’ve built the infrastructure of room (all the floor shields make everything look ugly).  I don’t really know how I’m going to texture the plywood yet, but I figured it would be something along the lines of a rug for the floor and nice wallpaper for the walls.  Also, I started to set the general layout of the room as to how the visualization is going to go.  I think all the vehicles should hug the long, left wall, so I set tentatively set them up in the positions I want them to be in.  Unfortunately, I’m not really sure on my choice of vehicle for public transportation.  The monorail looking train is nice, but a bit small when compared to the other vehicles.  There’s not really much else I can do however, because other passenger trains are basically non-existent, and finding a public bus is nigh impossible.  At one time, I had a school bus in its place, but Brandon recommended against it because of the connotation it carries (and I tend to agree).  I think tomorrow I’m going to start the clickable “bubbles” to house the vehicles to enable the object communication tricks I’ve been working with earlier.

I should be pretty good otherwise.  I tried to get in contact with Shiv, the guy creating my person objects (the mannequins), but it was to no avail.  I message him the specs for the black man I want to represent, so  hopefully he’ll start that one soon.  Also, I have two questions for Dr. Polack while she’s away at the conference:  1) What’s the best way to import and manipulate Excel data into SL?  I’ve got a couple suggestions, but I’d like to hear if there’s an easy/smart way to do it from the pros.  2)  How do we delete the black walls from the UMW area?  I want to expand my room a bit, but those are blocking my way a bit.

Anyway, before I go, here’s the activities log for the day:

6/5/07

*Took a prim reduction/recycling building class
*Searched for more vehicles to use for representation
*Bought a motorcycle
*Bought Monorail
*Bought trainset
*Started building my room for the transportation visualization under the UMW workspace
*Arranged vehicles as needed in room

Spending:

*$10 -  Tip for prim reduction/recycling building class
*$600 – Motorcycle
*$300 – Monorail
*$399 – Train Set