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DarkBASIC Professional Discussion / - DBPro Coding Challenges -

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Sven B
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Posted: 24th Nov 2006 17:18


It's the programmer's life:
Have a problem, solve the problem, and have a new problem to solve.
Ric
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Posted: 24th Nov 2006 17:43 Edited at: 24th Nov 2006 17:48
This'll be the ... er ... fourth magnifying glass entry then!



It's a different approach, though. No memblocks or pixel commands - just camera trickery!

@Crit: don't forget to add the line 'set display mode 1024,768,32' before using the get image command with those dimensions. YOur code will crash out if the user has their screen resolution set to anything less. Nice entry, though!

Sven B
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Posted: 24th Nov 2006 18:24 Edited at: 24th Nov 2006 18:26
Here's another effect. No 3D objects were used -> pure 2D commands.



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Have a problem, solve the problem, and have a new problem to solve.
Ric
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Posted: 24th Nov 2006 21:51
Nice one Sven.

Here's my second entry - fun with some blue beads!



Crit
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Posted: 25th Nov 2006 01:09
I don't know how to describe this one. Kind of a rainbow mouse with static.



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Darth Vader
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Posted: 25th Nov 2006 03:47
How much longer we got on this one?


Sven B
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Posted: 25th Nov 2006 15:05
It's a two week challenge and I think we're still in the first week...

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Have a problem, solve the problem, and have a new problem to solve.
Crit
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Posted: 25th Nov 2006 16:26
@Zotoaster, I think I fixed your hour hand.

Replace line 70 with this:


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Sven B
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Posted: 25th Nov 2006 16:59 Edited at: 25th Nov 2006 17:15
This looked like a pretty good effect...



First variation:


It's the programmer's life:
Have a problem, solve the problem, and have a new problem to solve.
lower logic
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 04:35
I don't know if this counts as an effect, but I like it:
ThinkDigital
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 06:59 Edited at: 26th Nov 2006 07:00
My 2nd entry (Gradient)

How's this?


ll - sure it counts, looks awesome too...
RiiDii
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 09:52
Great effect lower logic!


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RiiDii
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 10:20
3D mouse. Use the wheel to move it closer/further. Left-click to draw.




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Crit
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 19:38
Here's another one:



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Ric
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 19:46
This has to be the most number of entries in a challenge for ages - perhaps ever! Great to see so many people taking part. While there are quite a few of us around, I'd like to run an idea past everyone here, and ask for your thoughts.

David Gervais, who if any one doesn't know, is a professional artist, and the founder of the 'artists challenge' thread, had an idea for a 'limited media' challenge. In fact, he had the idea a while ago, and offered the prize of a free custom bitmap to the winner. Nobody took him up on the offer, which was a real shame, especially as the offer of custom graphics by a professional artist is a very valuable prize. It may be that the challenge wasn't presented in the right way, or it may be that it conflicted with this challenge thread - I don't know, but for whatever reason, nobody seemed interested at the time.

Now, I'm certain that there is still some merit in the idea, so I asked him if he would still be willing to offer free graphics as a prize for such a challenge, and he said he would be.

So, here's the idea. Rather than starting a separate thread, I wondered how people would feel about having a special, 'one off', challenge in this thread - which would have the same rules as any other, except for the no-media rule. The challenge would be to come up with a program which made the most creative use of limited set of media (eg. an image or some images) provided by David.

The advantage of holding this special challenge here, is that this thread has already established itself, and is well respected. Other attempts to set challenges outside of this thread all too often end in flames. Holding it here, would also mean that the challenges are not competing with each other - and give it more of a chance of working by getting interest from the regulars here.

As for including the media, it could either be done the conventional way by loading it from your source code, or, to enable easier copying and pasting of code, I have a piece of code which will automatically download a file from a website.

So, what do people think of holding the first challenge which offers a prize, and the first to require use of media? If people like the idea, then we could either hold this as the next challenge, and allow the winner of this challenge to set the next but one challenge - or perhaps we could make it a Christmas special - maybe even give the challenge a Christmas theme?

Please post your thoughts.

ThinkDigital
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 20:50 Edited at: 26th Nov 2006 20:55
I don't know. While I don't deny that David Gervais is very talented, half the fun of these contests is that they are no media. The no media rule also means that the code can be in code boxes and is very easy to try out, whereas is you added media we'd all have to download stuff. It might also make it harder for the winner of this contest to judge the next one.

Just my thoughts.
UFO
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 20:56
That sounds really cool. I would really like having a Christmas/holidays special with limited media.

Great idea

Ric
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 21:50
Quote: "half the fun of these contests is that they are no media"


I do agree - and would want to keep that as the general rule. If this did happen, it would be a one off.



Quote: "is you added media we'd all have to download stuff"


As I said, though, I do have some code which could be used in each entry, which loads the media directly from the internet, which should solve that problem. The only issue, is that if you are running a firewall, you will probably get a pop up message asking you for permission before allowing the download. Alternatively, if the amount of media was relatively little, it could be converted to a set of data statements, which could be included in the code, meaning no downloads needed.

RiiDii
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Posted: 26th Nov 2006 23:32
One set of provided media.
Very small file.
No external media allowed.

Should not be too much of an issue for a one off. The reason behind the no-media rule was the annoyance factor of having to download media for every entry and then every update. As a one-off, it is no problem at all. Maybe we can even have a once-a-year holiday special contest with the same rules. I think folks can be bothered to download media once a year.


Open MMORPG: It's your game!
acelepage
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Posted: 27th Nov 2006 15:32
@Ric,
I'm in. If the media is provided, then there would be no need to download it at run-time since everyone in the competition, including the judge, should already have a copy of the media.
Keep the media file name standard, and similarly locate it in a standard location. The everyone's code should access the media file in the same way (maybe even provide the code to load the media?).
This way, only the code needs to be posted, and when run, it opens the local copy of the media.

( 2b || !2b ), that is the question. The answer: true
Ric
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Posted: 27th Nov 2006 16:50
That's a good point Aclepage.

The idea is looking good so far then..... I think a once yearly Christmas special is sounding good. Even the people that don't like the idea too much could probably stand a slight variation in the rules just once a year.

I suggest, then, that we have one more two week challenge after this one (set by the winner as normal), and then have the special challenge after that, lasting until just after Christmas, to be judged by David.

That would mean it would coincide with Christmas, and it will give a chance for David to prepare the media, and for me to try and build up some interest on the main board.

Any more comments welcomed.

David Gervais
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Posted: 28th Nov 2006 02:00
Wow, my ears were burning,.. in a good way, thanks for the interest Ric. One small thing, I personally think the judge should be outside the loop. If I were to judge, I'd feel like I was playing favorites as to who gets free graphics from me. If an outside judge were to make the call, then nobody could be accused or thought to be biased.

As for the media, let me know when you are ready for it, I'll upload it to my photobucket account and post it here, then anyone can have access to it. Perhaps if small enough, like 24x24 pixels someone could then convert the sprite/image/bitmap into a set of data statements and those data statements could be the new source of the media. that way it would sneak in as a 'medialess' media (although created from an image source.)

Nuf said, Cheers!
Ric
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Posted: 29th Nov 2006 00:26
Thanks David. Allowing for this challenge to complete, then one more two-weeker after that, and that will take us to the weekend of the 16th/17th of December. So if you could have it ready for then that would be great - but please don't make it publically available before then, so nobody gets a sneaky headstart! When the time comes, I'll also do a bit of plugging on the main board. Unfortunately we're too late for the newsletter, though.

If possible, please try and make something that would not be straight forward to create with pure code alone. 24x24 pixels is nice and small, but there is a danger that it could be too simple, so I wouldn't be afraid of going upto, say, 64x64. If that generates an excessive amount of data statements, then we'll just go with the conventional download route - as mentioned above, if we all download to the same file location, it's no big deal.

Whether or not you choose to go with a Christmas theme or not, I'll leave up to you!

As for the judging, I'm sure nobody would accuse you of being biased, especially as you don't stand to win anything! However, if you prefer not to judge, then that's ok. I don't mind stepping out of the contest and judging if people would like me to.

Darth Vader
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Posted: 30th Nov 2006 05:05
Hey I could do the jugding! I wouldn't mind I mean I rarely enter any of the competitons anyway! But I would love to be a part of this! Please let me judge! Thats if David is okay with it...


David Gervais
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Posted: 30th Nov 2006 11:10
Ok, Ric I got the graphic made, and it is Christmas themed. So the challenge could be called "The Minimal-Media Christmas Challenge"

I might make a special banner that you could place at the top of the forums in the random queue.

Cheers!
Ric
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Posted: 30th Nov 2006 11:18
Quote: "I might make a special banner that you could place at the top of the forums in the random queue."


That's a good idea - thanks David.

@Darth - thanks for offering. I was also thinking about asking one of the moderators if they would like to be the judge - they may bring a credibility that you or I can't as regular users. If no-one objects, I'll send an email to a mod or two.

Sven B
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Posted: 30th Nov 2006 21:06
I might just enter the comp...

If I see the high-quality(off course) graphic from David, I might get some inspiration

It's the programmer's life:
Have a problem, solve the problem, and have a new problem to solve.
Ric
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Posted: 2nd Dec 2006 17:58
Deadline for the cursor challenge is today folks!

Peter H
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Posted: 2nd Dec 2006 18:06 Edited at: 2nd Dec 2006 18:07
so people can still submit today?

either way i'll get started on my judging...

One man, one lawnmower, plenty of angry groundhogs.
Diggsey
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Posted: 2nd Dec 2006 18:26
I'm glad it's not me who has to judge all those entries!

PS
The results are going to be on the next page!!!

Peter H
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Posted: 2nd Dec 2006 18:48 Edited at: 3rd Dec 2006 00:58
26 entries so far, if you include variations.

all compiled and ready to judge. (i am waiting until tomorrow since people can still enter today right?)

One man, one lawnmower, plenty of angry groundhogs.
lower logic
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Posted: 3rd Dec 2006 18:22
Here's another entry, if its not too late. I don't know how to describe it...
Blobby 101
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Posted: 3rd Dec 2006 18:27 Edited at: 3rd Dec 2006 18:28
so... when does the "minimal media christmas challenge" start? i might enter this one, because of it including some of david gervaise's sprites.


perfection is not achived, it is earned.
Ric
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Posted: 3rd Dec 2006 23:34
Looks like it will start on Saturday 16th December. I'll announce it on the main board just before it starts, too.

Peter H
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 01:13 Edited at: 4th Dec 2006 01:17
Whoa, a whopping 27 entries! As a result my feedback might be brief at times . This challenge is a little awkward because Ric set it and i'm judging. I didn't really tell ya'll what i was looking for exactly, which is more of a cursor effect that you might use on top of existing graphics in a game.(like a trail of images or a magnifying glass like Ric was saying) So there are some really nice entries that don't quite fit the bill. sorry i didn't tell you guys earlier!

so, with all that being said, don't get too mad if i don't give your entry full credit even though it was really nice. (which will happen )

zee results, in alphabetical order (i think)

******************************


Acelepage: Nice, i like how you can hold in the mouse for as long as you want, then let go when you want the explosion.

Code Dragon: haha, here have a kiwi

Crit:
first entry- sweet! reminds me of duo, nice trails on the circles.
second entry- nice glass, the handle and rim give it a nice touch
third entry- interesting static, would be cool if it went in the other directions too, though i can see how that might be impossible to make look decent.
fourth entry- has a sort of delayed start up for me. i click the exe, then nothing pops up for about 10 seconds, until it finally opens... meaning if you're not expecting it you might open 10 or so if you're stupid...

Daemon: Reminds me of etch-a-sketch! nice sinusoidal movement.

Diggsey: Nice swinging balls, though the sine adjustment of the mouse could get a little frustrating

Lower Logic:
first entry- whoa! i'm hypnotized! careful, if you leave the mouse in one spot too long you might never be able to get up again!
second entry- You weren't sure what to call it. i think a name for it would be "oscillating hyperbolic rotational disco". Pretty rad man.

Ric:
first entry- nice magnifying glass, smooth edges on the zoomed objects.
second entry- Interesting, but is it supposed to leave a grey smudge on the screen? not sure if it happened on yours, but it did on mine, and ended up kind of ugly . I can see how it would look nice without the greysmudgyness though...

RiiDii:
first entry- haha , and that's about it. Two out of three!
second entry- interesting! the window left graphical glitches on my screen (kind of smudged some, but it would refresh and get rid of them). but kind of like shaking an ant colony.
third entry- nice zoom + grainy edges, is kind of offset though.
third entry version 2- does an odd opposite offset, but it is a WIP obviously
third entry version 3- sphericalness didn't end up turning out too good, possibly because of the relatively simple scene.
fourth entry- very nice magnifying + color adjustment and zoom. my only nitpick is that it's square, but that's not really a problem.
fifth entry- umm... sorry if this is rude but... those are some ugly colours man! also the amount of squares to draw with isn't very many so the other end of the trail is being used at an early point.

Sven B:
first entry- rofl! that's like that fly game for cellphones where you have this string attached to you pulling you down. simple but really funny/cool. the string is just a tad un-realistic with it's physics (when you have the entire thing curled up, the end would be straightening up before the rest was straight, if you know what i mean...)
second entry- kind of dim...
third entry- impressive! though you forgot to change the y-slant for when you're moving it farther into the field and back to you, as a result it's more of a slanted box close to you, and more of a straight up and down box farther away.
fourth entry- o_O can have a cool effect if you move your mouse in jerks.
fourth entry version 2- nice! very cool effect, results in some nice rotations when you move the mouse around.

Think Digital:
first entry- Not sure i got the point of the game, i think i managed to win by squishing the red thing with the green cursor.
second entry- nice, although it's a little static and runs slowish, i know you just used code, but it could have been done with an image.

UFO: It's time for disco baby! pretty groovy man.

Zotoaster: wait... wasn't there already a clock challenge? Not a bad entry but it's eerily familiar...

******************************


ok, hope i didn't bash anyone too much....

And the winner is!


runners up! (no order, these all were all very close to winning, very nice entries)


Everybody else who made a magnifying glass also gets a cup-o-coffee on me

good night and,


End of Line.

One man, one lawnmower, plenty of angry groundhogs.
Crit
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 03:28 Edited at: 4th Dec 2006 14:18
Thanks Peter H!

I was really impressed with all of the entries. Let's see how everyone does with the next challenge:

Transition Effect
This can be any effect that transitions from one bitmap to another, or even one 3d scene to another. Some examples would be fading the screen, a horizontal or vertical wipe, or a page curl.

I'll be judging on the following criteria, in order of importance:
1. Originality/Quality of Effect.
2. Performance. Should run smoothly on my 3 Ghz machine.
3. Modular design. Here I'm looking for a function or set of functions that encompass the entire effect, which could be easily added to a project. (No, I don't need a transition effect for my project)

Time limit: 11 Days. The last entry will be accepted on Thursday December 14, 11:59 PM Server Time..

Good Luck!


Edit: Here's an example:


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Ric
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 12:27
@Peter: Good job on judging all of those entries - certainly the biggest batch we ever had in these challenges!

@Crit: Congratulations on your winning entry, and the transition effect challenge is a great idea - I think this might be another popular one to have a go at.

The only thing I would like to suggest is an ammendment to the deadline - I'd like to give it an extra few days if possible. Firstly it will give people a full weekend to have a go at it (which is the only time I expect some people will be able to find time), but more importantly, the Christmas Special limited media challenge is set to start on Saturday 16th of December, so that it spans the two weeks over Christmas, and it would be good to run this one up to just before then. So could we put the deadline for this one at, say, Thursday 14th December?

Crit
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 14:16
No Problem Ric. The deadline is now Thursday December 14, 11:59 PM Server Time.

CHESS ENCOUNTER
Demo
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David Gervais
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 20:42 Edited at: 4th Dec 2006 21:32
***Off-Topic, Sorry for the intrusion but...***

Ric, I'm sorry, I'm kind of known as an avatar maniac and the white background around your avatar here has been grating on my nerves for quite awhile now, here is a version with the background color matched to this forum...



ok, back to regular scheduled programming..

Cheers!

Edit: Avatar sickness, it's in my blood...



Cheers!
Daemon
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 20:56
Well, I've taken the most generic ones.

The arrowkeys will have a transition which goes in the direction of the arrow you pressed.
Spacebar does a random dot transition.



acelepage
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 20:57 Edited at: 5th Dec 2006 04:30
@David Gervais,
I think perhaps you are avatar manic.
And perhaps a bit atelophobic.

Sorry about my avatar, BTW.

[edit] I'm sold. Danke.

( 2b || !2b ), that is the question. The answer: true
Diggsey
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 23:20
Here's my entry. I was trying to create a sort of exploding effect. It requires two bitmaps to change between, and works best in 640*480 windowed fullscreen mode.
The bitmaps must be the same size as the screen.



acelepage
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Posted: 4th Dec 2006 23:59
Uh-oh Diggsey. Check out rule 2 here:

http://www.andromedus.com/dbp/html/rules.html

I think you'll have to create your bitmaps in your code, or just draw some stuff on the screen.

( 2b || !2b ), that is the question. The answer: true
David Gervais
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Posted: 5th Dec 2006 03:06
acelepage, scroll up, didn't you like the new avatar I made for you?

Cheers!
NA170425
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Posted: 5th Dec 2006 03:14 Edited at: 5th Dec 2006 03:18
Background matching avatars...I've never noticed the whiteness.



If mine were more grey it would be invisible. Looks cool though. I must not be good at pixel art, it doesn't match quite well. The background color is rgb(233, 233, 233), right?

Knight
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Posted: 5th Dec 2006 08:31
here is my very simple entry, i am suprised however that no-one thought of this yet:


NOTE: you need to give it 2 images of your own

RiiDii
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Posted: 5th Dec 2006 09:49
Building on the example work, I've added two transition effects - a spin-in and random squares. Feel free to keep adding on effects. Diggsey, maybe you could add your effect onto this one? The bitmaps are done already - no need to load.




Open MMORPG: It's your game!
RiiDii
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Posted: 5th Dec 2006 10:04
Here is with Knight's effect added (slight mod to fit current code). To add a new effect into this code, just add your new transition function in the main loop right after the first wait key. The b1/b2 lines alternate the bitmaps (b1 and b2) so they cycle properly through the code.

For Knight's effect, I just added these lines:
fade(b2)
wait key
b1=(b1=1)+1
b2=(b2=1)+1





Open MMORPG: It's your game!
Ric
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Posted: 5th Dec 2006 10:47 Edited at: 5th Dec 2006 10:58
Just incase anyone needs it, I've written a quick stand-alone function which creates two simple images, which people can use rather then expecting people to use external images.

Just call the function at the beginning of your code and it will fill image numbers 1 and 2.



@David: You're right - that does look better. Thanks!

gadgetfreak 66
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Posted: 5th Dec 2006 14:38
Heres my entry, its a kindof pixelize/blur effect. Thanks for the image function Ric.



I'd also just like to say hi to everyone here on behalf of me and knight. We've been following the challenges for a while and finally decided to have a go.

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