My brother, Houston, recently informed me that he starts feeling anxious when I don’t update this blog often enough. I’m afraid I’ve given him ample reason to be irritated over the last week or so. I just haven’t had much about which to write. The usual excuses apply – work has been nightmarish, Laura’s sister and mother have been visiting, and a massive heat wave have combined to keep me away from any explorations this week. OK, so maybe those aren’t so usual.
Regardless, I’ve still got several projects in the works. So, to allay Houston’s anxiety I’ll provide a sneak preview…
Recently I acquired a 3D Space Navigator controller from 3DConnexion. This is a precision mouse, similar to a joystick, that can be used with Google Earth, 3D CAD programs, and some music studio software. I’m still learning how to use it, but so far I’ve really enjoyed to level of control it gives over interactions with Google Earth. Movement is smooth, precise, and natural, almost like you’re taking a flight over an area. I started thinking about ways to capture the smooth movements in video format, which leads to the project preview…
I needed a target. Preferably it would be something fairly restricted, but with interesting topography. I decided upon a tour of the waterfalls of Lake Jocassee. Here’s a map of those locations:
View Lake Jocassee Waterfalls in a larger map
First I created a tour in Google Earth of those locations, refining the waypoints with the Space Navigator. I fired up Quicktime on my Mac and started a screen recording as I went through the tour. Here’s a sample of a tour:
Eventually the video will have photos of the waterfalls, and I’ll add dialog, music, and other screen elements. It’s still in early stages. I’m also missing the entire upper reaches of the lake, which includes Laurel Fork Falls, Devils Hole Falls, and Mill Creek Falls. I’m hoping to get photos of those the weekend after the Fourth on an extended paddling trip.
So, there it is – a quick preview with more to come. We’ll see how this project turns out.
An exceptionally good lead in photo for this post. I just like to know that your brain stays active. I do like the video possibilities with that new magic mouse.
Yeah, I thought you would approve!