[MPL3D]

Galactic Journeys is a new series of videos that Galaxy Explorer is creating to explore the wonders contained within MPL3D Solar System.

Episode 1 takes us right to the heart of our galaxy ( The Milky Way ) and it spends some time in orbit around the large super massive black hole ( Sagittarius A star ) that resides there.
In this video sequence you will notice the black hole itself is just a black sphere ( the point of no return or event horizon at the very edge of the hole ) with a large acretion disc of gases and star material being pulled in.
As this material is being pulled in it is heated up and that's why this disc has the various colours. We pass through the disc itself and back out again to watch a captured star get pulled in, ripped apart and then swallowed by the black hole.
At the end you will see the explosion caused by the the huge amount of star material being sucked in. The polar jets are then created as a result of this.

Watch the Episode 1 of Galactic Journeys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud9zrgMsBsI

Galaxy Explorer, great initiative. We look forward to see new episodes

[GalaxyExplorer]

Thanks MPL3D .

I will make a shorter version in order to improve the pace and to cut the length of the video down for those wanting a quicker video. Could be handy for those wanting to link to a quick video for embedding in to a web page in order to help an explanation or whatever.

I will take this in to account for my second video and I will need to put in some camera practice time in order to prepare better takes in the future, but I managed to show what was necessary in this first video.

I'm planning on revisiting this part of space in a future video when version 1.2 of the software is released.

[GalaxyExplorer]

In response to some feedback from MPL3D, I have made a shorter version of Episode 1.

Episode 1a is meant to compliment the first version by taking out over 5 minutes worth of unnecessary footage. Better transitions between main music tracks and fading in/fading out from intro/end music tracks are also implemented.

This should make the video more digestible for those not wanting to watch the full 10 minute version although the longer version would suite those who want to take a longer look at certain scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsYjDvIoRzM

[MPL3D]

Certainly the short version should be easier to watch.

Although shorter, I think it has more rhythm. The sound pause before the explosion can be perceived better, and that remarks the final crescendo.

I didn't say anything, but I like also how the music is synchronized with the explosion in both versions, the particles fit with that 'magic wand' part of the music. Also, music fading is always important, a gives a sense of quality.

My idea for improvement would be to include transitions in between the camera cuts, so the view doesn't 'jump' from one point to another. As it shows similar things, a short transition of 1-2 seconds (or less), fading to black the image, would tell the viewer that the point of view has changed. Oh well, just perfectionism

As a side note, if a video gets enough hits in YouTube, then further statistics are available, as if the people is leaving the reproduction at some point, or if they rewind back to see again any scene. This info is useful to see the most demanded scenes or the boring ones...

I'll include this short version in the reproduction list of the 1st version, so it can be watched in the main web page as well

[GalaxyExplorer]

[MPL3D]

[GalaxyExplorer]

OK then, I'll take note of your advice and look at your how-to section. Work will begin on my next video soon. I've got the raw footage already so I can't apply what I've learned in this discussion to it so episode 3 will see the lessons learned from what we've discussed.

[GalaxyExplorer]

A jog around the solar system:

Part I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9wSwlFf6qI

Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaOPNvoIMd4

Enjoy.

[MPL3D]

What can I say? Excellent

It can be noticed a great improvement if compared with the Episode I. It can be seen that you have work on it much longer, and that you've taken care of the takes, transitions, labeling, sound and so on.

It could be a good successor of the old MPL3D Tour I, so I look forward to see its hits number. Good idea to split it into two parts, as long videos receive less visits.

The music fits well. The fact that it has changes of rhythm heps to avoid what could have been monotonic secuences. It is a nice point that the sound begins as it ends (with the beat part) This produces auto-feedback sensation, and it warns the watcher that the video is ending, like a bell ringing in his head.

A very educative and enjoyable video that really fits into the formal idea that we use to propose. Also it is great that it helps to show the features of the simulation, like the user interface handling, the system gallery, picking up targets with mouse, or the camera movement. I see you already got the 'trick' of clicking 'center mouse button' to move the camera

Hey but I think you still have not showed us your best

I notice as well that there are some little issues with the camera auto-fov feature and getting closer to small bodies.
This behaviour is slightly different for V1.2. The program doesn't make an auto zoom control for the camera FOV and small bodies. Not needed with the new exponential zoom feature.

Well, an excellent job showing what the old solid V1.1 can do!
Sorry that we have the users like you waiting for the new version

Of course we'll feature this at the web page, thanks a lot

[GalaxyExplorer]

Thanks for the feedback !

All your points are noted for the development of Episode III, which will probably be the last video created using version 1.1.

I think I'll try to make a video that shows of as much of the rest of 1.1 as possible which will result in a fly around the galaxy visiting the different astronomical objects. It could result in a 3 parter video but it will bring a sense of closure for that version before going back to themed episodes showing off 1.2.

Again I'm pleased to see the video on your homepage, it makes the time spent making the video well worth it .

[MPL3D]

[MPL3D]

Episode 2 Part II fetured in the mpl3d web page

(The posting of the two parts has been splitted to favour google ranks way of working.)

[GalaxyExplorer]

Thanks

I was on Youtube the other day and noticed that part II wasn't getting as many viewings as Part I. I've had the feeling that maybe those users had had enough by the end of the first Part or they had forgotten about the second one. However, those that have rated them so far have been generous with their ratings.

[MPL3D]

Well, one of the reasons for getting more hits with E2 Part I is that it has been featured in the web page, that counts.

Nevertheless, I think all the 'part ones' are more probable to get more hits than any 'part two'.

For the maximum number of hits, I guess that it is better to produce 'single' independant videos, with a lenght of around 3 minutes max.

For example there could be a serie of short videos, showing one single famous binary system, named with the name of the star/system, and showing place in the sky (constellation), orbits and components, and finishing with a brief look of the system gallery, showing the scientific data.
This would make a video collection that -I think- could end with many more visits than one single long video showing all of them (depending on how famous is the subject). Just a sample idea that poped up

At the end, there is always an uncertain factor. There are some tricks, like googling the subject, or using google trends, that can tell if a particular subject is queried by many people or not.

Anyway, let's see what happens to those part II hits.
You keep on the good work, I'm sure that the ratings will stay high for Episode 2

[GalaxyExplorer]

Thanks for your support .

I agree, 10 minutes can be too much for some people in one go - never mind >=2 parts. Usually they may want to see certain systems or objects rather than a collection, like you said. When I made the short version of Episode 1 I had the idea of doing "shorts" that would be more specific in content and be about 4-5 minutes in length. However, you are right in that 3 minutes shouldl be just about right.

I tell you what I think I'm going to do. With Episode 3 being in the thinking and planning stage, I may not bother with 3 parts showing off the rest of version 1.1. It could be too much for most people in one go. There's nothing stopping them from watching parts 2 and 3 later separately but viewers may move on and forget about them with so many other interesting videos to see on Youtube.

So, Episode 3 is going to be a one part flyby through the galaxy . It's going to take some editing to make it a smooth ride because I'm still no expert at the controls , but I'm gradually getting better at camera orientation and navigation.

Maybe, after that third episode I should switch to shorts and focus on one star system or object at a time. However, it would still be great to do an occasional ominibus edition of the best systems and objects to see.

It would also allow me to release videos more frequently and build a nice library of destinations that people can pick from or that will show up in more specific searches. Definately better for hits. I think I will start the shorts with version 1.2.