Newsflash from Arkaos GrandVJ blog:
GrandVJ 1.2 now allows to use Quartz Composer .qtz files directly, both as sources and effects. In older versions it was necessary to save them as QuickTime movies with the big drawbacks that it was slow and it did not allow to change compositions variables.
Continue reading »
Free Tools for VJs??
Art of VJing is multi-faceted technological and artistic field. Most of us spend considerable time producing and developing content and establishing techniques for media manipulation. If you anything like me, then chances are that you’ll find yourself wondering about extending your favourite software as you grow through using it on a regular basis. Year after year you master some of the techniques, and yet you see great deal of limitations that are in front of you due to the closed development process of the software itself which in most cases you cannot interfere.
Let me modify!
If you have followed some of my recent posts on the subject of Pure Data VJ software, then you find that Pure Data has opened up numerous possibilities of developing your own software while utilising numerous Plug-ins, Libraries and Patches that worldwide community has released to date. These are very exciting times to be working in this field as knowledge and programs are at very healthy state. One of such AMAZING tools that I have only recently came about is : Qeve. It really encompasses large majority of your “wish lists” while maintaining its flexibility and cost. Free.
Without further a due, please explore this unique and promising piece of Pure Data software for Vjing: Queve!
“In art production the tool you use determine result of your work in many ways. Only by using free software you will not reproduce closed mind”
- Luca Carrubba aka Husk
Queve is a free tool for live performance and vjing developed by Estereotips collective with economic support by Catalan independent video maker association Telenoika and Center of visual arts productions Hangar from Barcelona. This software try to obtain the same usability of similar commercial applications (resolume, modul8, vdmx) while adding some unique features. Continue reading »
Openness of software to the public in my opinion has always played a crucial role in growth and development of multimedia and methods of production. The vast amount of choices out there make for a complex decision making process, and especially when you bound to pay for quality software.
This particular post is aimed to introduce some of such options that recently become available, but also highlight additional benefits of incorporating such tools that are capable of integrating with likes of MAX and Pure Data.
Unity
Unity is a multi platform game development tool, designed from the start to ease creation. A fully integrated professional application, Unity just happens to contain the most powerful engine this side of a million dollars. Its recent 2.6 release marked itself as a Free Download option for all users. Unity Pro does have few additional extras, yet there are options to try then out for at least 30 days, which could be a yummy option for some.
Download Unity:
http://unity3d.com/unity/download/
(Free Unity Version, 30 Day Trial Unity Pro version. View Licences Comparison)
I have picked this news via vjforums discussions (Thanks bridd) that also touched
a subject of “Max-Unity Interoperability Toolkit version 1.0″ (Thanks Elbows). I suggest you also check it out.
Max-Unity Interoperability Toolkit version 1.0. μ [myu]
μ [myu] Max-Unity Interoperability Toolkit version 1.0. μ [myu] is designed to simplify communication between the Max/MSP/Jitter http://www.cycling74.com and Unity3D http://www.unity3d.com rapid prototyping environments. Utilizing the TCP network packets, μ [myu] allows for easy bi-directional control of Unity3D and Max/MSP/Jitter assets, as well as importing of dynamic Jitter textures into Unity3D scene. Apart from the Jitter-specific texture communication protocol, μ [myu] relies upon the netsend/netreceive framework, thus making it also compatible with Pure-Data http://www.pure-data.info.
WHY μ?
Max/MSP/Jitter and Pure-Data offer unprecedented flexibility in digital signal processing, particularly audio, as well as easy integration of external controllers and sensors, video, and 3D assets, while Unity3D is an advanced scalable and optimized 3D gaming engine with integrated intuitive scene editor and physics engine. By coupling their strengths μ [myu] aims to expand their rapid prototyping potential with minimal integration overhead.
μ [myu] was developed at DISIS http://disis.music.vt.edu and is available for download from the DISIS website http://disis.music.vt.edu/main/portfolio.html
Watch μ [myu] in Action:
If you follow developments around VJ culture and Video Installation practises, Video Mapping practise has become a new Black with nearly everyone having a go at warping and mapping they video textures onto various objects in the space. Effective and brilliant approach. While some vj software have addressed this issue almost right away (eg vvvv, Module8) some other open source projects are taking initial steps in that direction.
Just came across this project called Keystone for Processing
Keystone is a video projection mapping library for Processing. Right now it allows you to warp your Processing sketches onto any flat surface by using corner pin keystoning, regardless of your projector’s position and orientation. The goal is to eventually expand this library to enable more advanced projection mapping, such as projecting on 3D models or curved surfaces and edge blending of multiple projector screens.
For last few years my video editing software of choice has been Sony Vegas. Very straight forward and complete software package which can cover large part of your video and audio editing needs.
Recently I have come across an issue which others might stumble upon if they happen to work in Windows environment.
Few weeks ago I tried to open Vegas to do some editing on a few files, yet despite such attempt, launching screen would freeze at “Initializing Audio Engine” section and wouldn’t go any further.
Today I have decided to properly investigate this and allow for some solutions to be presented for those that come across it also.
First and Foremost. Strong chances are that this issues resolves around Internet Explorer 7 or 8 for you as well. If you happen to install new version of IE 7 or 8 or it has been automatically upgraded through Windows Update feature, its a good indication as to why you might be experiencing this.
1. First solution. Revert back to Internet Explorer 6 and it should be back to normal. Do a restart though. A number of people online had similar queries and it seems to be pretty common issue with others.
2. Solution Two. Go to your Control Panel. System Properties (Advanced Tab). Performance Settings. Data Execution Prevention. Tick the radio button for “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those that I select”. Click “Add” and select Vegas.exe (7, 
from your Program directory Structure. and OK it.
With a bit of luck you will have your Vegas back into action in no time. Hope this will help someone. Comment underneath if it did. Cheers.
Straight from the horses mouth : Kevin Atkinson (I am a computer vision programmer and vfx junkie with an obsessive interest in novel applications of computer vision techniques for visual effects in music videos, commercials and film.) has just posted a blog and follow up forum post on vjforums with this: Open Source Effects: Node Based Framework Continue reading »
For any visualist out there who is on the constant look out for new ideas and methods to approach his or her production, – coding tools offer an amazing supplement of options, interactivity and point of difference. Continue reading »
Processing is incredible platform for creating visual ideas and generating stunning Audio Visual multimedia pieces. To be frank with the whole thing, to the day I haven’t performed with Processing as a sole software option at any of the gigs that I have played, yet never the less I incorporate some of the processing sketches that I record and post-edit in my production.
Well, that’s until Mother came to the scene. -A program that allows VJing with Processing.org sketches.
The lead developer Ilias Bergstrom has been working through developing this invaluable tool which in my opinion can launch Processing as source of visual performance to another level.
The current development version (Mother 0.3 in Development) has been announced just under a month ago and what now seemingly its coming to a near launch stage with followed up post from Ilias on Onar3d- Maria Louiza.
I will take some time in next few days to give much more detailed review of my personal experience, yet in the mean time, check out provided links for more info on the subject.
Visualists Rejoice! While we may hold great deal of visual tools available to us through software and hardware, sometime you come across something that captures your imagination and gives you a new techniques based on the presented flexibility of freeform that those maybe are. Alchemy is exactly that!
The Alchemy Interface
Alchemy is an open drawing project aimed at exploring how we can sketch, draw, and create on computers in new ways. Alchemy isn’t software for creating finished artwork, but rather a sketching environment that focuses on the absolute initial stage of the creation process. Experimental in nature, Alchemy lets you brainstorm visually to explore an expanded range of ideas and possibilities in a serendipitous way.
Modules
Alchemy consists of a growing number of ‘modules’ that can be added or removed at will. Using a given module you can do things like:
- Shout at the computer. Use your voice to control the width of a line or the form of a shape.
- Draw ‘blind’. Turn off the canvas display and explore what shapes emerge from the ‘darkness’.
- Create random shapes. Generate shapes that can be used as a starting point for characters, spaceships, or whatever shape you see in the ‘clouds’.
- Mirror draw. Draw mirrored symmetrical forms in realtime.
- Capture real colour. Use your web camera as a live colour palette.
- Randomise. Mess up and distort shapes.
Global Features
Other global features place focus on the ‘process’ of drawing, letting you do things like:
- Record a drawing ’session’. Automatically save the contents of the canvas to a page in a PDF file at set intervals.
- Auto-clear the canvas. Start drawing on a clean slate at set intervals. Force yourself to start over fresh.
- Switch the canvas. Automatically open your sketch in a more ‘conventional’ drawing application, either as a bitmap or vector file.
- Avoid distraction. Alchemy has a very minimal interface, just a simple toolbar that dissapears magically, and a fullscreen mode to block everything else out.
Download
http://al.chemy.org/download/
Please watch the Videos:
Some good news. Processing has crawled out from its Beta state (mind you, very solid on many counts) and is finally is 1.0! Download Now!
Peter from Create Digital Motion has written a big post about the Launch and even broke the CDM policy not to publish press releases.:)