@unknownuser said:

Did you actually give bonzai3d a try, and view the Introductory videos? Once you learn a few simple tricks, you should find that bonzai3d is a very powerful program that is also quite quick and easy to use.

Yes I did. It downloaded and set up fine. I listened to the tutorial. As soon as I started to use the tools it crashed. Next time up it hung together ok. I was able to draw some basic shapes no trouble. The first really annoying thing for me was finding a way to select an object and rotate it. I like to pick components up as if to inspect them by hand. I was surprised that this simple action couldn't be achieved without instruction. Reaching to pick up and inspect a model is 3d 101. I could see right away that navigating complex models was not going to be a strength of bonzai.

I have to think about what I have accomplished in SU and compare that to the learning curve required to get close using bonzai. I may have been a little harsh but until you guys start to work on your "game play" I will have very little interest.

If you want to learn about "game play" then you will find the best example of this by watching a pro SU user build a model. Then watch again...and again. It really is poetry in motion.

The performance/review of these 3d apps seems to model the gaming industry approach. If your engine's "game play" is poor, then make sure there is lots of eye candy.
Truespace is another good example. Building a model is hell, but while you are trying to figure out how to work it, you can play with the thousands of interchangable/snapping, floating, icons and toolbars in multi-colors, Now that's productive.

No chance getting this off the ground...even a free version.

It is a proven fact that the less you eat, the longer you will live. So if you really like eating, look at it this way. The less you eat, the longer you will be around to eat.

As many have mentioned, exercise has to be part of your daily routine.

Get your vitamin "D". Sit in the sun, without sunblock on! Your body apparently needs one full hour a day with 40 percent of your skin exposed just to get a daily dose of D. That is quite a lot of sun. If you are a male, you can get natural radiation one day at a time rather than a bombardment of it (pegan radiation treatment, technology from the 50's) later as a remedy for cancer.

Stay away completely from food additives, i.e. preservatives, fake sugars or salts, fat free products, colors. Avoid eating anything in a can, sealed bag or box. Cook for yourself as often as you can. Everytime you have a stranger prepare food for you you are taking a chance.

Good luck trying to arrange all of the above and good luck with your routine Mike.

Pretty speedy lookin racer. Looks great. I would try to shape the leading edge of the wing so that it transitions to the fuslage smoother. Should reduce a lot of drag.

Try this .....http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=1530&hilit=+Plugin

That's pretty funny....never seen such a friendly debug message.

I want to modify the model (move the cables) to accomodate my structure but need a few hints to hobble up something that is feasible.
I would like to know what percentage of the total weight of the truss system is supported by the wires. I would guess that it is less than half. This cable arrangement would have affected the stability testing to a great degree as it sends a fair portion of the weight to the upper portion of the columns.
Seems to me the centre of gravity is very high. Is there a balust and if so is it used to fine tune the stability?

@unknownuser said:

On Wednesday, President Obama announced limits on executive pay at $500,000 at companies who receive bailout funds.

"In order to restore our financial system, we’ve got to restore trust,” the president said. “And in order to restore trust, we’ve got to make certain that taxpayer funds are not subsidizing excessive compensation packages on Wall Street."

Maybe he's listening?

excerts from an earlier dialogue with the contest host in the form of a chat with jackson.

.......
Answer to Jackson's question:

An example of a change like this in the sample design is how the suspension cables connect to convex, vertical beams which in turn attach to the four support pillars, rather than having the suspension cables attach directly to the four support pillars themselves."

Jackson's probable response:

Well yes, I see thankyou, although those changes are structural not cosmetic...who did the engineerig on the new beams?...I quess you are saying there is a lot of flexability.

James real answer:

You're right in that "cosmetic" is probably not the best word choice in the rules, as it is a structural change, albeit a relatively minor one. We're OK allowing a little structural flexibility, as it's realistic to expect a little customization for the first few clients who invest in building one of these anyway. How much customization is obviously a little harder to define, which is why we included the example image and have the e-mail address for questions.
The modified beams were designed by an architect consulting with the marine engineering firm who designed the platform.

Perhaps a phrase like "significant structural changes" would be better. We'd welcome your feedback. I'm cc'ing Lasse, our contest administrator, on this e-mail.

Thanks,
James Hogan, Director of Operations
The Seasteading Institute
http://www.seasteading.org

Solo...with all respect that may be due. That is not an appropriate image or message.

Go get this......http://www.spadixbd.com/freetools/?referrer=JRulerUser
You still need some point of scale reference in the photo, either by eye or by an object who's dimension you know.
Then just decide on your unit of measure and how many pixels are required for each unit. Measure with the ruler and do the division.

Indigo approx. 20 minutes. Thin glass changed to exit portal. More reflectance added to the metal truss to add wall reflections. In model 2d cat.
Post process blur and birds.

hungry