Afloat-Network

[Marti-S]

Project Abstract

Afloat Network is a Platform for 3D content creation and distribution. Providing infrastructure for the current 3D industry today and the future Web3.

Grant level

• Level 1: Up to $10,000, 2 approvals
• Level 2: Up to $30,000, 3 approvals
• Level 3: Unlimited, 5 approvals (for >$100k: Web3 Foundation Council approval)

Application Checklist

• The application template has been copied and aptly renamed (project_name.md).
• I have read the application guidelines.
• Payment details have been provided (bank details via email or BTC, Ethereum (USDC/DAI) or Polkadot/Kusama (USDT) address in the application).
• The software delivered for this grant will be released under an open-source license specified in the application.
• The initial PR contains only one commit (squash and force-push if needed).
• The grant will only be announced once the first milestone has been accepted (see the announcement guidelines).
• I prefer the discussion of this application to take place in a private Element/Matrix channel. My username is: @_______:matrix.org (change the homeserver if you use a different one)

[CLAassistant]

All committers have signed the CLA.

[keeganquigley]

Hi @Marti-S thanks for the application. A couple of initial comments/questions:

• Deliverables 0a. - 0d. in the application template are considered mandatory. Can you please add these to Milestone 1?
• The "Library: Afloat Platform" delivery should be numbered 1. rather than 5.
• You have already included UI mockups which is great since we ask for these upfront. But can you explain what would be produced for the "figma design prototype"?
• Will any development work be done for this milestone?
• Can you please integrate more technical details into the application? For example, your website notes that you will be using ink! contracts deployed on the Aleph Zero chain, but I don't see any of this listed in the application.

Thanks!

[Marti-S]

Hi @keeganquigley Thanks for getting back this fast!

• Deliverables 0a. - 0d. in the application template are considered mandatory. Can you please add these to Milestone 1?

Yes I'm redoing the deliverables as we speak.

• You have already included UI mockups which is great since we ask for these upfront. But can you explain what would be produced for the "figma design prototype"?

Yes I will write out more in detail. What I want to end up with is a full prototype of the platform, onboarding, user profile/dashboard, marketplace, 3D Asset view, Project etc.

• Will any development work be done for this milestone?

Not at this stage no.

• Can you please integrate more technical details into the application? For example, your website notes that you will be using ink! contracts deployed on the Aleph Zero chain, but I don't see any of this listed in the application.

Sorry for the confusing, yes the reason that Aleph Zero is on the website is at the time of making the website I was still exploring the possibilities. To clarify this application is the most updated and the project will be developed with substrate ecosystem and ink smart contracts.

Will correct the website.

I have to ask, do you think the project is too early to apply for level 1 grant, as today we will not be able to contribute with code?

I'm going through the changes now, Thanks!

[keeganquigley]

Thanks for your answers @Marti-S so if I understand correctly, you wish to eventually create two substrate pallets, but these would be funded through a follow-up grant or alternative source? Would you create ink! smart contracts as well, or just the pallets?

• Can you further explain how you plan to utilize IFPS and ZKP?
• The roadmap that you linked to gives me a 404 error.
• To answer your question - without some initial development, in my opinion this work might be too specific to your use case and beneficial for you only. Typically we don't fund front-end UX/UI components unless it is coupled with substrate tech somehow. But it is possible that other committee members may feel differently.

[Marti-S]

Thanks @keeganquigley!
Yes exactly, a follow-up grant for both pallets and ink smart contracts used to develop this project.

• Can you further explain how you plan to utilize IFPS and ZKP?

IPFS Will be used for storing the 3D files

ZKP Zero-knowledge proof will be used for the privacy aspect of user data, 3D assets and projects. As we recognize that many entertainment projects today are being developed privately.

I just committed changes for the two points you had.


Yes I see your point, kind of had that feeling too. Lets see what the committee says, Thank you!

[keeganquigley]

Suggested change

	- Creators - 3D Artist of any specilazation
	- Creators - 3D Artist of any specialization

[keeganquigley]

Thanks @Marti-S one last question, do you have a team already in mind or would you look to hire developers after the grant?

I personally won't approve it as I have concerns about whether or not further development work would be completed if it is not committed to in a second milestone, but I will go ahead and mark the application as ready for review and ping the rest of the committee.

[takahser]

@Marti-S I won't approve it neither, since I don't think it's well suited for our program. I'm quoting our Guidelines:

Projects funded through our programs are broad in scope, but our focus lies on strong technical projects that add value to the ecosystem.

Please consider also having a look at this decision tree. I think the treasury would be a more suitable source of funding for this type of project.

[Marti-S]

Thanks @keeganquigley I'm actively looking for a team to be part of the project, in case I don't find any I would have to hire yes.

So it would be preferable to make the project into a level 2 or 3 with fully fledged milestones?

[Marti-S]

@takahser Yes I understand, I will look into the Treasury you mentioned.
Thanks to both of you, for your time!

[keeganquigley]

Thanks @Marti-S to answer your question, personally I would potentially support a proof-of-concept of the pallets and smart contracts, if I were convinced that they would benefit the entire ecosystem as a whole. But as mentioned above, I would expect much of the initial design work to be done first. I wish you the best of luck with the project!

[Marti-S]

@keeganquigley Thanks for clarifying this, and best to you aswell!

[keeganquigley]

@Marti-S you could also try the Aleph Zero grants program to see if it is something they might fund. We mostly fund software and research, whereas I know they have an expanded scope compared to our program, for example they fund education and events as well.

[Marti-S]

@keeganquigley Yes this is true, I will look into this, thanks!