Its my story- My Project Experiences:)

Doing  masters in DMT was my all time dream. And I always thought it would be so serious, so difficult types. But it was only after, I got into the core of it, I started noticing and enjoying the fun elements too :)

PROJECTS are not always threatening. Its more about the experience.

These are my first semester projects, which was all about knowledge, practice, skill, understanding, familiarity and above all enjoyable :)

Ghost Trapezoids- OMG There is a ghost in my telescope

This was the first project in my masters. It was really an experience working with people from multi-cultural background. My group comprised of 7 ppl, 1 from Indonesia, 1 from Malaysia, 2 from China, 2 from Myanmar and am from India. All are passionate, energetic experts with extreme knowledge and good amt of experience in this field. This field, the technical terms, was completely new to me. Autodesk 3d max, Maya, Irrlicht Game Engine, modelling, rendering, lighting, audio, animation—ooh,,, But thanks to everyone, I was able to learn many things and finally with 1500 lines of C coding, with hero , heroine, ghosts and spaceship characters, with effective bgm and sfx , we submitted the project :)

      

3D Mesh Viewer

This was an individual project which has to be done in OpenGL. It has to be done in 2 parts, under the guidance of 2 professors. At this point, I really feel, I should tell about my second Prof Verrit Goss :)

He s a genius, with very long golden hair, and we started working for the project at least to impress himJI did not exactly know why, but we called him rockerJ..So finally it was done with various user models like transformation, displaying normals, lighting adjustments, in both orthogonal and perspective projections..

Success always put smiles on your face automatically. This is what happened to my end result. :).I got A+ for this project :)

Fantasy Coin Collector

The name itself is so funny., Yup there is a story behind it..

It is a 3 level coin collector game is developed using FLASH illustrating the principle of Collision Detection in animation. It is a single player game, demonstrating Oriented Bounding Box Collision and Circle -Circle Collision Detection. We, a group of 3, again received A+ for this project.

It was only at the day of presentation we realized, we did not have a proper name for this game, I just heard someone saying “fantastic” somewhere in the class, and finally we ended up in this name :)
u can also watch our game demo here:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGMIlzFX-SQ

SpaceShip

It is a one level game, single player game developed in Flash demonstrating collision detection. I could say it was the first version of the Fantasy coin collector game. It was this game, first we started developing, and in the final review, it was a shock that for many of the teams, the story line was the same. And the tragic comedy is, to derive at this story line, we had that many discussions and numerous mails..

I really doubt, how the majority of the class ended up with this story line. Anyways, we completed this project, for our satisfaction and started a very new project the Coin collector for submission..

You can view our game demo here :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw0Qu3QuheY
A Sense of satisfaction :)

Content Based Cartoon Character Retrieval 

 This project was for the course Multimedia Information Management. We were 5 , which includes a Phd Student, but the shocking surprise was they chose me as the group leader :) I was really excited and we all worked together, shared all our works, and my guidance was Arfika, the Phd student. Actually most of the credits should go to herJThis project was an awesome experience and am sure all had a very good time ..

This was a MATLAB program to extract visual features to represent cartoon characters and to calculate the efficient distances to estimate the dissimilarities between cartoon characters accurately. We also used Paint.NET.3.5.5 for image segmentation.

Eyes Alive

 This is the project, which I loved most. It is an individual project, sort of researching a research paper, and either writing a report or presenting it.

I always loved to talk rather than paper work and thus chose the presentation. I just wanted all to understand the concept simply, with more fun. It was all about analyzing the importance and significance of eyes. So I experimented on real time subjects. Took many funny photos and videos of my friends for synthesis of natural eye movement and finally proposed a simple algorithm for it :)

It was damn fun presenting itJand more fun for my friends who posed for the pictures. It was so shocking for them to see their different expressions in a very big projected screen :)

Watch out for part 2 – my second semester projects, which I believe should be more entertaining than this :)

My life @ NTU

“ I think Silverspoon will be closed today. Get down at Lee Wee Nam, we shall have lunch at FC , collect some goodie bags at LT1 and proceed to TCT for the career talk”.Might be Greek and Latin to you, but these terms have become an integral part of my vocab in the past six months. So is the case of every NTU student. We are a proud gang who are respected as the cream of Singapore academics and yet enjoy and celebrate every day of our college life to the core. NTU somehow has a ‘cool’ tag attached to it. NUS people are geeks and nerds, SMU and SIM are uncles and aunts (May not be true though) and we the NTU ones are the cool yet the tech wizard type. That’s what the world thinks J and we are happy with that. As a Master’s student here, I am loving every bit of it. Name it and you get it in abundance at NTU. If you are a foodie, you are showered with sumptuous treats from the Food Connection, Silver spoon café, Palette, Sakae Sushi, the vending machines and every other Hall canteen that you can find at a stone’s throw away. Want to have some fun, yes we do have our own NTU Bar, with good music, dart boards, pool tables and an enviable collection of drinks. Fitness freaks get their share from the Sports and Recreation Centre with its swimming pools, and a state of the art gym. Sounds like the pamphlet of a club ?

Now comes the part I do love the most – the academic face of NTU. I am here since August 2010, and I am finding this to be the period of my life when I feel I will be learning the most. As a Digital Media Technology student, I am working in the Computer Animation and Simulation Lab(CacAni) , Forensics Lab, and other labs of the SCE. Those are the moments I realise what actually I know and what I don’t. Working on game designs, creating animations, discussing strategies with team mates, trying my hands on realistic night time photography, experimenting with cameras, working with eminent professors and every activity I do at NTU have shown me a “new me”. I should mention about the Lee Wee Nam Library – the massive and adorable structure where I find peace in times of stress. Sitting in the plush cushions, with a copy of the evening lecture or a book in an atmosphere of future scientists, surrounded by columns and columns of invaluable literature gives me every bit of confidence and hope on the days when I shall take up bigger challenges in my career. Looking forward to every moment of it.

Love you NTU J

Death is not the end !

It has been 10 days now, since my grandfather left our family. But it is very hard to believe that he is no more and that his presence can never be felt physically again. He was always there, right from the day I could recognize people. On seeing this tamil short film,  “ The Dream Symphony” , I am reminded of the days we spent with each other, the moments when generations old wisdom and experience was passed on to me shaping my inner soul. The love granddaughters and grandfathers share is something really unique and very very special. My story is something beyond this.

My grandfather always wanted me to become the best. With his wrinkled and kind face, he used to dream for my future. Maybe he knew that he would not be there to see me become what I would really be in few years from now. When he saw a flight and he would say,  “Preethi, I want you to become a pilot”. He would convince me how interesting, challenging and rewarding it was. There were many jobs in this list. He wanted me to become a model, a professor, a photographer, a news reader, a politician, a singer, a dancer, an editor, and at the least an engineer or a doctor. For each he had a story. As a child I used to hear those stories with my jaws open. His enthusiasm would drag me to boundaries of dreams and imaginations, making me cherish my moments in a world of fantast. As I grew up, my dear thaatha’s enthusiasm to inspire me was still intact and I would keep   listening to him just for the sake of his love and care.

He was very passionate about reading books and newspapers.  Every day morning right after his shower he used to narrate the day’s head-lines with the happiness of a child to everyone. By that time I would have glanced the newspaper, but I used to sit and hear him with keen interest just to keep him happy. He used to sit and read the newspapers and books all along the day. How much I compel him to take rest, I always end up in failure. He keeps on reading as if he has examination, the next day. I feel like kissing on his forehead at  this moment L

I simply love the time, we go for walking. He used to walk very long distances. He wanted me to be aware of all things in the world. He used to keep telling me international politics, and as soon as we see a supermarket, he starts in the price variation and ends up in the stock market. I still remember my kindergarten days, when he used to take me to the school. Every-day to prevent me from crying he used to gift me a lollypop and only then  drop me in school.

It is a real tragedy that, I was not even able to see him, in his last days. We never knew, he would leave us on the same day, 1 year after his 80’ th marriage anniversary.

But my beloved thatha, I believe death is not the end, and you are always with me. I am always your dearest granddaughter, u always wanted to see. You will be my guiding light forever.

Love u thathaJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N3gKtDiqXg

The 10 things that make me most happy:)

It is completely the perspective of the individual to look at things, and get themselves into a sad or happy mood JL. There is nothing so bad in the world which will ever make you so frustrated and depressed. It depends on how we accept and how we digest it. They are for sure, not the end, just the passing clouds..

But happiness is not like that. It is a part of the inner soul. It is an energy that thrills you to do things, and more than doing, to enjoy things J

I always wanted all happy positive things around me, and definitely yes, it gives an excitement, a pleasure, an interest, a passion, enormous energy to make and get your things done.

And when I think about such things, it is an infinite list for me.

But I wish I could write the top most 10  JJ

                  

The Diary Milk

There are many variety of chocolates, But this Cadbury Dairy ummmshshshsshh,,!!!

Cannot be described - the joy it gives, I always close my eyes, just bite one bar and slowly, very slowly eat itJJI inherited this habit from my fatherJ

 My parents

 I can keep writing on them. But the bottom line is they are my everything. I am what I am now, is because of them. My emotions , my happiness, my words anything cannot describe them. And they are just more than best friends to me,,

Love u and now missing youJ.

 Slippers and Handbags

Ooohh , thinking about it, itself makes me to just run out my place and get me into a shop. It is not much like a shopaholic but little less than thatJ

I have got many of them, but the sad part is, am still searching for The Best which will suit me the mostJ

         

Lost Weight

I always wanted to be slim, slimmer, and slimmest. Its not that am less happy about what  I am now. I simply get happy thinking about this, and sometimes I do sincerely run jump exercise and lose 200 gms. I celebrate it with chocolates and foodies and gain 400 gmsJJ

 Dresses

Anyone will never believe that I carried 102 sets of dresses with me from India , and bought many more here in Singapore. Still it makes me think every morning “Preethi, what dress are you going to wear today?? Actually are you running out of dresses???!!!”oooppppssss!!!

 A Long Drive

OMG !!Its been a long time, seriously a very long time, I have experienced this..

But thanks to the memoriesJ

My dad, the Yamaha Rx 100, a good weather …

Will I experience it one more time??

 

7. The Morning Coffee time

We are just 4 in my family. And we just keep on talking, sharing, and laughing all the time. And the peak time is the morning coffee time. Actually this thought makes me wake up every morningJ Shhhhh!! Don ask my father about this, because he only knows how much difficulty he faces in waking me upJJ

              

      Reading a novel in a rainy day

I see the dark clouds, take a novel, go to the front corridor of  my house, start reading it, After some time I look at the sky, I see the characters of the books in action. I am sure, many of you should also have experienced this!!!

That is really an experienceJ

 

7. The Study Holidays

I wake up very early in the moring, But merely just wake upJ

Go to the hall, and have a nice short sleep in the easy chair, my parents believing that I am studyingJJ[This must be a new shocking information for my parents too].I literally start studying, only after my father gives me the coffee.  

Planning for completing 5 chapters , completing only 2 chapters, dragging over the next day, Spending more time asking the important questions over phone, Spending much more time on seeing the pages that I have scribbled on that 2 chapters , for a sense of satisfaction!!!

Am gonna miss all that funJ

Packing for a long family tour

I always wanted to take almost the whole house, with me,,

But I restrict my selves and take only few, even in which my parents drop many of itLHave you taken this? Have you taken that?, And only after reaching that place, the next morning, I realize I had left my tooth brush in the houseJJ

This is just the top 10, where others include, getting drowned in the rain, playing with puppies, flying in a parachute ,watching animation movies, being with my brother, my room in my house, cuddling and sleeping, singing songs, home food, cleaning the room, gulob jamun, chatting while waiting for dinner in a restaurant, my desk at the lab, waiting for results, prayers, and muchhhh moreeeeee:):):)

Yes Man !!!

This is a movie, for which I had goose bumps, all through the film. I did not know, for which reason I was experiencing that, but still I loved it, I personally, strongly believe and follow the words of Stephen Covey “Whatever your mind conceives and believes it achieves”. And the excitement I had when watching the movie, would be because of this belief.

 Yes Man scripted by Jarrad Paul , casting Jim Carry is a story of a depressed bank worker saying NO at every given opportunity. He shuns away from friends, stays low when some opportunity comes up at at work and the one word he uses most often is a NO.He somehow bumps in to a self-help program based on one simple principle: say YES to everything :). At first, unleashing the power of "yes" transforms, his life in amazing and unexpected ways, but he soon discovers that opening up his life to endless possibilities can have its drawbacks. 

One gag is that, JimCarry is well known for his wacky roles like in The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine. And for people who are tired of carry acting like a goof, this will almost fall flat. The movie reviews compares and rates Liar Liar as far superior in its quality. But each movie has its own storyline, concept and phenomenon.

On the plus side, much like most of his earlier work, this movie is incredibly entertaining. Carry s rubber face and manic energy have always got applauds. And for me, it was the positive energy and confidence which mattered.  I could feel the intense emotions as a first person. Though every scene is narrated with a subtle element of humor, this film creates an impact that lasts for days.

I give Yes Man, a BIG YES!!! :):):)

Hello World !

Most of us will remember the 15th of August as India's Independence day. If not due to patriotism it will at least bring up fond memories of school days, the flag hoisting and parades filled with lots of smiles and even more sweat. But to me this day spells another chapter in my life. Today the 14th of August, shall be the last day for me in India. I am flying to Singapore for my Masters in Digital Media Tech course. I am a bag of mixed emotions now. While the optimistic part of me is looking forward to all the exciting times ahead, the reality that life will not always be in the same own home turf always continues to strike. I shall for sure miss my very dear family, my sweet home ,my very famous scooty and the sounds and smells of Trichy. This might very well even be my last post from this PC.

I have always loved challenges and this is a time to prove to my selves that I am worth it.The moment I decided to do my masters, this one course came to my mind as an obvious choice. I am a sort of person who finds excitement in every little thing I do.Every bright flower that I come across, every cute child that smiles at me evokes a great deal of amusement in me. No wonder that this field of digital media technology has amused me and inspired me to that extent that I had decided to forfeit and well paid job offer in a developer role. The next two years , omg , thinking od it brings goosebumps. I have got a lot to learn - game development, animation, graphics, human computer interactions, photography, information management etc etc . I have taken up a boat of my choice. The destiny though is unknown. I must have the right attitude to hop on to any good opportunity that comes up along the way. Now decided that this shall be my field, its my necessity to put every ounce of effort in to this. I am starting up a new life and this blog I feel is an indicator of the pages that I am yet to explore in my book. Shall continue to post.

 Join me :)

Thru a journey called “Graduation”!

Every piece of stone that enters MCE leaves after four years as a well polished diamond. Same is the case with me. Back in 2006 I entered these gates as a wonder struck child. Everything seemed so huge. There were many challenges to be faced and battles to be fought. What I needed was a college that would embrace a crying child as the affectionate laps of a caring mother would do. My parents have always taken the right decisions for me and the best of the things that have done for me is to have allowed me to be a part of this family.

Now I have an engineering degree, a good job, a very bright future at NTU, Singapore and loads of achievements behind my name. I am what I am now only because of this college, my parents continuous support,   my friends constant encouragement, my philosophers and well wishers advice.

These classes would have seen numerous Preethi’s till date. But to me, wherever I may go, my college would kindle many fond memories and thoughts. I feel like every soul, every blossoming flower and everything at my college as a part of me. It would really be difficult to bid farewell to the place which has nurtured my talents, developed my personality, and enabled me to take independent decisions and to top it all given me the confidence that I can face any challenge in the future.

This place has given me the best teachers, most caring friends, people from whom I could draw inspiration and those whom I can deem as my mentors and guides. When a typical student longs for holidays to come, I found real happiness and sense of satisfaction only in the MCE campus. Only here every one was caring and directing me for betterment. There was importance for discipline but it was not imposed by means of rules. Each one of us were made to understand the virtues of life.

Its been 4 years now and its pretty interesting that am getting graduated..

Overall a journey worth remembering :)