MAX continued

Last week and this week we did further stuff in MAX.
We learned about outcoming and uncoming values and how we can change them so that we get specific numbers. We worked with small videos and how they are added into the program.

At the left navigation strip, you find Vizzie. There you can choose PLAYR (for a player), FEEDR (for changing bleeding e.g.) and VIEWR (the output). Then you can connect all elements and put a video in. Further elements are possible.

From above towards bottom: PLAYR, FEEDR and VIEWR.

If you want to use decimal numbers, you have to set the attitude on "decimal" first.

The element "expr" is for mathematic formula. It tells the program to calculate the following input. $f1 stands for the value of the input and output. It can be inserted multiple times and parallel. So $S2, for example, is the value of another input or output.

if $f1 < 0.2 then $f1 means "if the input is smaller than 0.2, then allow the value to continue". 0.2 will then be sent.

expr 1 - ($f1 * 5) must be treated like a mathematic formula.

New program: MAX

Today we presented our projection projects. Afterwards we started with a new program called MAX. MAX is a visual programming language for music and multimedia projects. It is used by composers, performers, software designers, researchers, and artists for all kind of creative recordings, performances and installations.

Starting MAX 7.

To understand MAX, the program comes with a orial list and videos. The several elements are explained in the tutorials and by a right click on the object. Things can be changed and testet to get a better understandment how it functions.

List of tutorials.

The first tutorial is called "hello" and shows how to create objects and connections inside the program.

First tutorial: Hello

The rounded elements are messages. The grey ones in the picture below are objects. The elements can be changed by colour, size and position. You connect them by pulling a line from one to another.

We used the tutorials to understand the program better. Everyone of us had to deal with one tutorial and explain it to the class afterwards. I dealed with "Metro and Toggle" that exlains how to create automatic actions. In the sesond picture below you can see what the single objects mean.

The point "Numerical User Interfaces" was about sliders and dials:

We will continue working after the Christmas holidays.

Visitor: Media artist Wolfram Lakaszus

This lesson we were visited by the media artist Wolfram Lakaszus from Bochum. He does different media installations in Germany. He mainly works with physical objects and digital content in a creative way. You will find some of his work on his website strange-things.org.

He showed us some of his work including the "Lange Nacht der Wissenschaft" in Berlin (2008). Furthermore he indicated on some useful tools and programs. For example Max, a visual programming language for music and multimedia. He used it to "draw" processes. Another tool was Ableton Live 9, a programm for sound and Medi (data protocol) as well as Opensound Contol. Also: Millumin - a software to create and perform audiovisual shows.

VIOSO Workshop - Part 2

We continued working with a replacement 3D model of our polar bear because we did not have the scanlation file from our real paper bear. We are afraid that we will not be able to work with the bear because the scanner is not working yet. We ware thinking about alternatives but still working with textures and effects on the bear model.

EDIT:
We decided to drop the bear because there are too many problems with the technology. We will now work with a more simple objects: a pyramide. We will cut the pyramide with the laser cutter, glue it together and built a 3D model by ourselves in Sketchup.

Possible ideas for the projection are:

- Schneeberg - Lawine - Herabfahrender Skifahrer
- Vulkan - Herabfließender Magmastrom
- Glas Optik - Reflektion auf der Oberfläche - Im Inneren: Licht o.ä.
- Herabpurzelnde Formen (durch physikalische Eigenschaften)
- Wasserfall
- Struktur (Sand, Stein, etc.)
- Tobleronepackung, die heruntergerissen wird und Schokolade enthüllt.

EDIT 2:

 
EDIT 3 (some visual stuff): 

The 3D model I built in Sketchup.

Idea sketches.

Volcano.

Testing ligth on the pyramide.

 

Visiting the FabLab

Yesterday we visited the FabLab to speak about our current projection projects.

We still wanted to work with the polar bear but we were not sure of the technology. We spoke about using the 3D scanner and maybe also the 3D printer. The problem was that we could not be sure that the scanner would work. Furthermore the printer needs very much time to print and in addition is limited in size.. We did not want to print a small bear so a bigger one had to be built out of single parts or something like this. However, the print solution would be expensive compraing to the other technologies. We also thought about using the laser cutter and rebuilt the bear in layers... Though nothing was really satisfying... We left the bear in the FabLab and hoped that tne scanner would work.

Afterwards we continued to work on some animation stuff for our projection. Because of the fact that we had some difficulties on deciding how to go further with our 3D model, we just did some research and idea ollecting at home...

VIOSO Workshop - Part 1

After having an invited lesson from VIOSO founder Benjamin Fritsch last semester, we got the chance to take part in a workshop to learn more about projection mapping and also to do a small projection project.

So we started with some basic and simple projections, using a small, white carton box and a 3D model of it that we created by ourselves in Unity 3D. We then started to configure the projectors to the objects. We had some difficulties to find the correct size and right perspective. When this was done, we created some animation and projected it on the box.

In our case we used a fire animation made of a particle system. We added a house texture on the box, so that it looked like a house standing on fire. With some light added, that looked really good.

For the end project we decided to use a paper polar bear that Lisa brought with her. It looks really good and enables many possibilities and ideas. We now hope that we can scan the polar bear with the 3D scanner to get a fitting 3D model for our team project. Next week we will visit the FabLab to get more information about the scanner and other useful machines.

Working with Sketchup

Today we started to work with a 3D-Tool called Sketchup. SketchUp (formerly: Google Sketchup) is a 3D modeling program for applications such as architectural, interior design or video game design. We used the freeware version, SketchUp Make, with limited functionality.

At first we built a plain and adapted it to a parallel projection. There is a tool that helps you to raise the plain to a 3D form. So we created a basic shape for a house, a simple cuboid. Next followed the roof.

The roof is made with help of the line tool. You set the starting point, decide on a middle point and then end with the end point. This creates a triangle. With more triangles you can connect everything to a 3D roof.

Then we added some colour and patterns on the building.

With some experimentation you can get some cool stuff. It is also possible to add models and other objects into your project.