In the second of our blogs I realised that the weightmaps I'm using could be improved. So spent most of the session inside Houdini playing with Heightmaps..

Towards the end of the session I matched the heightmap up with a real map to help identify the locations a bit more accurately. As of a couple of years ago, you couldn't overlay such a map in Unreal. Not surprising as this would involve rubber sheeting the map over a 3d landscape but we can dream :)

We DO however have Cesium for Unreal which I've spent a lot of time with over the last 3 years. I'd like to see how my landscape sits over the Cesium tiles I expect it will fit 90%, but they haven't yet released the plugin for UE5.3. When they do we'll be covering it.

Another plugin we're waiting for is the Nvidia DLSS3 for UE5.3 as of today still not ready.

GeminiWoods started for me during lockdown when i found myself so bored that I was playing a computer game called Eurofishing. That's not a criticism of games and certainly not a criticism of the fishing simulation that inspired me to start building a virtual world inside the gaming engine Unreal Engine by Epic.

I found the landscape very immersive and helped save what sanity i had left, during a time when we could not leave the house for any extended time.

When we could go out, I visited a local woodland that came to mean so much to me, and I have photographed it over the years and shared them on Instagram and Facebook. I called them GeminiWoods because one day i wanted to recreate something of their beauty in a virtual environment as Dovetail had on their fishing game.

Unreal Engine is huge, and it has taken a long time and lots of experimentation to get where I am with it now. It will take many more years of learning before I know as much as I would like to know. It progresses and improves so quickly.

This is the first of my Development blogs. Its not supposed to be professional standard, but will i hope be instructional for some, and just nice to look at for others. I hope that people will come and chat to me while I work :)

This is one of my favourite lakes that I am trying to model

In recent years, the live streaming platform Twitch has exploded in popularity as a platform for video game streaming and esports competitions. However, Twitch has also become a platform for streaming a variety of other content, including science demonstrations and exercise classes such as tai chi. In this blog, we will explore how Gemini Woods plan to use Twitch to increase public understanding of science and tai chi, and how these seemingly disparate topics actually share some surprising similarities.

We intend to use OBS and Adobe Premiere to create our videos, and streams. The animations are made using Unreal Engine.

First, let's talk about science. Twitch offers a unique opportunity for scientists and science communicators to connect with audiences in real time. Rather than simply presenting pre-recorded lectures or demonstrations, scientists can use Twitch to interact with viewers and answer their questions in real time. This not only allows for a more engaging experience, but also helps to demystify science and make it more accessible to the general public.

One scientist who has been successful in using Twitch to communicate science is Danny Anduza streams under the handle Paleontologizing, and his streams cover a variety of Dinosaur related topics, from Archaeopteryx to Zuniceratops. By streaming on Twitch, Dr. Anduza is able to reach a wider audience than he would through traditional academic channels, and he is able to engage with his viewers in a more informal and conversational way.

Now let's talk about tai chi. Tai chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that is often practiced for its health benefits. It involves slow, gentle movements that can improve balance, flexibility, and overall physical health. While tai chi may not seem like an obvious fit for Twitch, it has actually gained a significant following on the platform. Tai chi streamers often incorporate music and meditation into their streams, creating a calming and relaxing experience for viewers.

One tai chi streamer who has gained a following on Twitch is Master Gu, who streams under the handle MasterGuTaiChi. Master Gu is a master of tai chi and qigong, and his streams cover a variety of topics related to these practices. Through his streams, Master Gu is able to introduce viewers to the benefits of tai chi and qigong, and he is able to create a sense of community among his viewers.

So, what do science and tai chi have in common? On the surface, not much. However, both science and tai chi are about understanding the world around us. Science seeks to understand the natural world through observation and experimentation, while tai chi seeks to understand the body and mind through movement and meditation. Both science and tai chi require focus, patience, and a willingness to learn.

Furthermore, both science and tai chi can have positive effects on mental and physical health. Studies have shown that practicing tai chi can improve balance, reduce stress, and even lower blood pressure. Meanwhile, engaging with science can increase critical thinking skills and overall scientific literacy.

In conclusion, Twitch offers a unique platform for science communicators and tai chi practitioners to connect with audiences and increase public understanding of their respective fields. By using Twitch, scientists and tai chi masters can engage with viewers in real time, creating a sense of community and demystifying their practices. And while science and tai chi may seem like very different topics, they both share a common goal: to understand the world around us and improve our lives.