Sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy is a nonlinear optical technique used to study interfaces and surfaces at the molecular level. It combines two incoming photons, typically from infrared (IR) and visible or near-infrared (NIR) laser sources, to produce a new photon whose frequency is the sum of the frequencies of the incoming photons. This process occurs primarily in non-centrosymmetric media, which is often the case at surfaces and interfaces.
Vibrational spectroscopy is a technique used to study the vibrational transitions in molecules, which are related to the vibrations of atoms within the molecular structure. When it comes to linear molecules, vibrational spectroscopy can provide insights into how these molecules vibrate and how those vibrations can be measured through interaction with electromagnetic radiation. ### Key Concepts: 1. **Vibrational Modes**: Linear molecules exhibit specific vibrational modes based on their structure.
3D modeling
3D modeling is the process of creating a three-dimensional representation of an object or scene using specialized software. This representation can be used in various fields such as video games, film, animation, architecture, engineering, and virtual reality. The key aspects of 3D modeling include: 1. **Vertices, Edges, and Faces**: A 3D model is typically composed of points in a three-dimensional space (vertices) connected by lines (edges) to form surfaces (faces).
Destructible environment
A destructible environment refers to a game design feature that allows players to interact with and alter the game world in significant ways, primarily by damaging or destroying various elements within that environment. This concept enhances immersion and realism, providing players with a more dynamic and engaging experience. Key aspects of destructible environments include: 1. **Realism and Immersion**: Destructible elements can make a game feel more realistic, as players can experience the consequences of their actions in a tangible way.
Environment artist
An Environment Artist is a professional in the fields of video games, animation, and film who specializes in creating the settings and backgrounds within which the action takes place. Their primary focus is on designing and building the environments that characters interact with, ensuring these spaces are visually appealing and immersive.
Gold sink
A "gold sink" is a term commonly used in video games, particularly in the context of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) or other online gaming environments where in-game economies are present. A gold sink refers to mechanisms or features within the game that are designed to remove currency, typically gold or equivalent, from the game's economy. The primary purpose of gold sinks is to help manage inflation in the in-game economy.
Hexany Audio
Hexany Audio is a sound design and music production company known for creating high-quality audio assets for various media, including video games, films, and other interactive applications. They offer a range of services, including sound design, music composition, and audio implementation. Hexany Audio aims to enhance the overall experience of media projects by providing immersive and engaging soundscapes.
Interactive storytelling
Interactive storytelling is a form of narrative that allows audiences to actively participate in the story's development, often leading to multiple potential outcomes based on choices made by the participants. Unlike traditional storytelling, where the narrative is fixed and conveyed in a linear fashion, interactive storytelling empowers individuals to influence the plot, characters, and sometimes even the setting. Key aspects of interactive storytelling include: 1. **User Agency**: Participants have the ability to make decisions that affect the direction and outcome of the story.
Invisible wall
The term "invisible wall" can refer to a few different concepts, depending on the context in which it is used: 1. **Psychological Barrier**: In psychology, an "invisible wall" might refer to emotional or social barriers that prevent people from connecting with one another. This can include things like social anxiety, mistrust, or unexpressed feelings that create distance between individuals, even when they are physically close.
Lightmap
A lightmap is a technique used in computer graphics, particularly in the context of 3D rendering and game development, to pre-calculate lighting effects for static objects in a scene. Lightmaps store the indirect lighting information of surfaces in a texture, allowing for more efficient rendering during real-time applications. Here's a breakdown of how lightmaps work: 1. **Pre-calculation**: During the development phase, rendering software calculates how light interacts with surfaces in a scene.
List of books about video games
Here is a selection of notable books about video games that cover various topics including history, culture, design, and criticism: 1. **"How to Talk About Videogames" by Ian Bogost** - A collection of essays exploring the cultural significance of video games and discussing various genres and experiences. 2. **"Critical Play: Radical Game Design" by Mary Flanagan** - This book discusses how games can be used for social commentary and the role of play in culture.
QA & UX Manager
A **QA & UX Manager** blends two distinct but complementary fields: Quality Assurance (QA) and User Experience (UX). Each of these roles focuses on user satisfaction and product quality, but from different perspectives. Here’s a breakdown of both aspects: ### Quality Assurance (QA) Manager A QA Manager is responsible for ensuring that a product meets specific quality standards before it’s released.
Replay value
Replay value refers to the potential enjoyment and engagement a player or consumer finds in revisiting a game, movie, or other form of entertainment multiple times. In the context of video games, replay value can be influenced by various factors, including: 1. **Multiple Endings**: Games that offer different endings based on player choices encourage players to replay the game to experience all possible outcomes.
Scripted sequence
A scripted sequence refers to a predefined sequence of actions, events, or commands that are programmed or "scripted" to occur in a specific order. This concept is widely used in various fields, including: 1. **Gaming**: In video games, scripted sequences are events that occur when certain conditions are met, such as the completion of a task or reaching a specific location. These can include cutscenes, character interactions, or environmental changes that enhance the narrative and gameplay experience.
Skybox (video games)
"Skybox" in the context of video games typically refers to a method used to create the illusion of distant scenery or an expansive sky within a 3D environment. It usually involves a cube or a sphere that has textures applied to its interior surfaces, which represent the sky, clouds, or distant landscapes. The term "skybox" can also refer to the actual asset or texture set that designers use to create these backgrounds in their games.
Fiction with multiple endings is an engaging form of storytelling where the narrative presents several possible conclusions, allowing readers or audiences to experience different outcomes based on their choices or interpretations. This can create a more interactive or immersive experience. Here are some notable types of fiction that often utilize multiple endings: 1. **Choose Your Own Adventure**: This format allows readers to make decisions that affect the direction of the story, leading to various outcomes.
Narrative of video games
The narrative of video games refers to the storytelling aspects within games, encompassing the plot, characters, world-building, and themes. Unlike traditional forms of media such as books or films, video games provide a unique storytelling experience because they often allow players to actively engage with and influence the narrative through their actions and decisions. Here are some key elements of video game narratives: 1. **Plot**: This is the sequence of events that make up the story.
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, theologian, and philosopher, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy and Catholic theology. He is best known for his work in synthesizing Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, earning him the title of Doctor Angelicus (Angelic Doctor) within the Catholic Church.
Yves Simon (philosopher)
Yves Simon (1903–1961) was a French philosopher known for his work in the fields of philosophy of action, social philosophy, and metaphysics. He was a member of the personalist school and the existentialist movement, influencing thinkers in both realms. Simon was particularly interested in the nature of human action, the relationship between individuals and communities, and the foundations of moral and political philosophy.
Fog
Fog is a type of weather phenomenon characterized by low-lying clouds that reduce visibility near the Earth's surface. It forms when moisture in the air condenses into tiny water droplets, often resulting in a thick, cloud-like layer that obscures vision. Fog can occur in various forms, including: 1. **Radiation Fog**: Forms overnight when the ground cools rapidly, leading to condensation of moisture near the surface.