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From: gpeterso@cmdfs2.intel.com (G. Peterson)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics,rec.gardens
Subject: "simulate" (animate) landscape over time (help)
Keywords: Landscape, Shadows, Animation
Message-ID: <145@cmdfs2.intel.com>
Date: 16 Aug 89 19:47:24 GMT
Reply-To: gpeterso@sedona.intel.com (Glenn Peterson)
Organization: Intel Corp., Chandler Microcomputer Division, Chandler AZ
Lines: 43


My two favorite hobbies are pc's and landscaping. I am going to start
work on a project that involves both of them. What I plan to do is
"simulate" (animate) a landscape over time. This will involve both
the growth of the plants/trees as well as the shadows cast by them
during different parts of the day as well as different seasons.
I am posting this to rec.gardens and comp.graphics so not all of
this applies to each group but I didn't want to post 2 different 
articles.

I would appreciate any tips/pointers/etc. that anyone cares to offer.
Need to know the best way to accurately calculate the shadows cast
by the plants/trees based on a given time of day and season of year
for one (to start with) geographic area (Phoenix). You can see the
interest in shadows because shade is valuable here in the Phoenix
area (last week it set a record for 64 days in a row above 100 degrees).
If there are any good books, etc. on this topic I'd love to know
about them. I don't even know the longitude/latitude here. Also
if anyone has hints about the creating shade/sunshine for different
parts of the yard/deck/house I'd be interest in it. 

I also would like any suggestions for the software to use for this
project. (I won't be writing it from scratch!) I will be using a
fast AT with VGA/Super VGA and multisync type monitor. I have been
interested by the ads for the Animator software package due out in
Sept by Autodesk. Any pros/cons on that choice? Oh, yes we are talking
low budget for the software, approx $200 or so for this beginning venture
although I might try and make a business of it if I can get it going
like I want to and then I'd be willing to invest a great deal more.
So if you have a favorite program for this but it costs an arm and a 
leg let me know anyway please. I have read a little about a package
called Landcadd (I believe). Does anyone know who does this and where
I can get more info on it?

Thanks in advance.

Glenn

-- 
Glenn Peterson             
Intel Corporation          
gpeterso@sedona.intel.com
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