ManMeng's Lifepad

[Tips] AS3 User location/country detector based on IP

I have wrote a script that automates the process of your project in detecting the user location based on their current IP address via maxmind’s Javascript API. What you will need to do is to

• See the demo below
• Get the source code
• Read the comment inside the FLA and start using it 

What is this?

A simplified script that detects the visitor’s country and other details such as latitude/longtitude based on their current IP address.

Why is this necessary?

I felt that there is a need sometimes for us to automate the language selection or region selection process in some major big site that helps in cutting down user frustration through multiple clicks before going into the site. I figured this could be useful.

How to use it?

What you will need to do is to wait until the loading listener is completed before using it.  Sample usage :

var userCountry:String = getCountryName();

Where to get the files?

Download the source file

View the demo (SWF)

[Flash] Chopping 3D Meshes in Papervision

So actually it’s kind of possible to chop it like watermelon. Did some experimentation @ wonderfl.net. The codes are shared under MIT license. Enjoy using it. Explore possibilities.

[Tips] How to dynamically create tilt shift effect with Flash (AS3)

If you have no idea what is Tilt-Shift. Probably you can have a short read on it at wikipedia. But perhaps to some, when done right, can produce really unexpected and sweet result (look at UNIQLO CALENDER). While to other, it’s being done to death. Of course, this is merely a quick tidbits on how you can “almost” achieve the effect without even touching Photoshop or other image editing tool, but with just few line of Actionscript. And yes, designers can do it too!

Demo : See it in action!
Download : The Source file. (Flash CS3, AS3)

Continue reading…

[Tips] How to convert Degress to Radians :)

function radians(i:int):Number
{
return Math.PI/180*i;
}

Pretty neat formula that you can reuse in absolutely everywhere. Anyway, this is applicable in Actionscript 3.0.

[Inspirations] When East Meets West

Drawing Art
I have just probably lost count on how much I’m in awed on this design agency. The fine details in every inch of pixel would definitely make you breathless while browsing through their archive of works. Vivid, lively, pop-ish is something I can describe them at the moment. A great marriage between design and interaction if you ask me. That is from Slovenia.

IStruggled
Here is an interactive designer from Japan, a mentor that I would definitely adore, despite the underwhelming portfolio site, you should wait until you look at his works, you’ll find no word to describe the awesomeness of the details. Comparably different from the western counterpart, I have never imagined that most of the DAMN inspiring sites from the past (since version 8 flash), the Studio 8 website that garnered lots of awards and awareness are done by him as well! That goes to the TBWA/Hakuhodo site as well!

And what makes so much of refreshing inspiration for me is the consistent good use of their ‘custom made scrollbar navigation’. Just look at the Dentsu mini-site that talks about recruitment process, the interaction is so subtle yet so fun!. By looking at the list of works he had done in the past, it seems he is a really versatile developer/designer that works across different agency as freelancer as well. Inspiring!

As I go through the amazing selection of works, I’m particularly stunned by this project, not due to how technically it is executed, but rather the simple idea that is translated into a commercial project, perhaps a difference in the culture that intepreting a language whenever they receive a creative brief. The idea was based on the campaign ‘Live Color’ which generally most of us would think of lively-colour that would represent the TV (Bravia). But in their context as Japanese, Live is occasionally associated with concerts and being real-time. Thus I am assuming that is how real time interaction between the user and the building occured. Amazing!