I have finally released the first version of the program I have been talking about at the meetups!
It is program & library combination for mixing the output of multiple processing sketches.
The host can dynamically load/unload sketches, and mix their visual output in a manner not unlike VJing. In order to work, each sketch needs to use a very simple library that I also include, which handles communication with the host. OSC control data is forwarded to the sketches from the host, while the host itself is also controlled solely using OSC messages.
Currently it only works with processing version 0135, and the sketches need to be using OpenGL mode.
I have included examples to get you started, and some documentation.
On http://www.onar3d.com I have a link to a recent paper describing the library and its use in more detail, and to the google-code page where the open source project is hosted, and where the download of the executable, documentation and examples is to be found.
Give it a try and tell me what you think!
The source code is released under GPL3, however I also include the OSCP5 library, which is under a different, more restrictive (CC) license. I also use a class from the MostPixelsEver project, and of course Processing. Have a look in the readme-file for more information on libraries used and the licenses.
The download version is windows only, but you should be able to adapt it for your platform very easily. Just make an executable sketch in processing for your platform using the same name as my program, and place the jar files from my distributable in this folder. I could do it myself but I do not have access to any other platforms in order to check if what I make works.
I would be thrilled if any of you would like to help on developing it further, and of course would very much like to hear if you find it useful in any way!
wonderfull. as i've told you i think it's a great idea. it's vjing with code rather than video, in a way a bit like quartz composer but cross platform.
i'll download it when i get some time and i'd be up for helping with some coding work (again given time..bah)
I'm very curious to find out if it works well for everyone!
First thing that will need doing is to settle on a Mac version; I have one untested, if anyone wants to try it out let me know via a pm/email and I will email it. If it then works well I will put it up as a download at googlecode of course giving proper credit.
I'm very curious to find out if it works well for everyone!
First thing that will need doing is to settle on a Mac version; I have one untested, if anyone wants to try it out let me know via a pm/email and I will email it. If it then works well I will put it up as a download at googlecode of course giving proper credit.
regards,
Ilias
finally ;)
there are some rumours that possiblity of mixing processing sketches will be supported in VDMX 7.0, but anyway Mother looks like good stuff - VDMX is commercial and mac only. I will check out this stuff in free time, and write some thoughts.
One observation so far - not technical, but could affect the potential "market" perception.
"Foetus" is a pretty highly charged term, with emotional, political and/or religious implications (and is maybe just a little bit gross). Is this intentional? It doesn't seem appropriate for a product designed for the global public, and the metaphor of "Mother" talking to a "Foetus" inside a "Child", and the Foetus talking back to Mother is not quite sensible. I'm supposing the intention was to say that a Child is built or formed from a Foetus.
Did you have any other names in mind?
Quick suggestions:• InnerChild
• Bond
• Love
• MothersLove[/list:u]Obviously, these terms can have their own issues particularly with semantics (except, perhaps, for InnerChild), but they are more pleasant. Remember that one's "environement" (usually physical surroundings, but in this case the conceptual/textual space) affects you. There are plenty of ways to go dark, angst-ridden and depressive if you want to, but not usually so many to go the other way.
One could perhaps think of the messaging as "sending love", because children shouldn't talk back to their mothers. :o)
The more correct name for the Foetus library is Placenta, because the library is what is mediating the communication of the Synth/Child, and the Host/Mother. But I thought Placenta was way too gross so I switched to a name less charged; Only ever so slightly it turns out :)
Another reason I can think of is that I am as a programmer tired of properly named things in code. One way of breaking free from programming rationality and being more "artsy" is using some less rational names here and there.
Like when I and my lab-mates at uni handed in the code for an assignment of creating a unix command shell, with all the code variables named after characters and stuff from Blade runner :)
In the end, the library is intended for an audience where code is a medium for artistic expression, a context where in my opinion too much rationality can take the edge off...
Given the library is open source, the first fork could then be the one that changes the library name to something entirely different :D
there are some rumours that possiblity of mixing processing sketches will be supported in VDMX 7.0, but anyway Mother looks like good stuff - VDMX is commercial and mac only. I will check out this stuff in free time, and write some thoughts.
neon
VDMX 7.0 has the ability to load webpages into layers
think that will be useful
What are you talking about? Placenta is tasty! Just ask Tom Cruise!
Okay, maybe not. I seem to recall hearing reports that Tom Cruise was going to eat one, but seemed to me it was all talk before the birth, as I never heard about him actually doing it.
In any case, fefore coming up with the suggestions I listed, the first idea that popped into my head was "umbilicus" - not quite so gross, and it sounds kinda cool. But then I got soft and decided something more abstract might be nice, since "Mother" and "Child" are more concepts than any particular physical entity.
An interesting debate I have to say. My grain of sand:
Why not call them this, that and thing?
Those are the most inoffensive terms that I could think of.
Actually I quite like umbilicus, I think I'll adopt it :D
...I must have missed that word when I was looking at our reproductive system on Wikipedia.
When I'm done making Mother work with the latest version of Processing I will see if I can rename the library as well.
There is some trouble when you are using code versioning databases (in this case subversion) in that renaming files after having submitted them can mess up the repository. But it's worth a try!
Subpixel: Thanks for a good name suggestion!
On a different note, I am curious to find out if any of the 500+ people that have downloaded Mother so far have had any success in using it?
Let me know if it's worked for you, or in case of any problems, what these problems are!
