easy data-bending with quartz composer

In this tutorial i will show how to make a small patch for easy data-bending.

The trick is very simple. I open the file in the built-in text editor of osx, copy the text to quartz composer , change several numbers and save the file with a new name.

The file type we want to use is an .obj file (3d object) – if you don’t have it just download from the net.

Why an .obj file? because the structure of the file is really easy, not disturbing captions like in the collada format, what i’ve tried earlier.

v  -23.041946 2.132653 4.222926

v  -23.768387 2.117765 3.861515

v  -23.290339 1.885496 3.681014

v  -23.290339 2.763085 3.681014

and more variations (i think these are the coordinates of the vertices).

So lets open the .obj file in the text editor and copy the text (all). Then in quartz composer lets put a ´string replace´node 2 or 3 times or as many time as we wish to modify the values. At the end lets hook a “kineme text file write” from the´kineme file tools´. Now lets paste the text to the first `string replace´string input.  If we take a look into the coordinates of the obj file we’ll find this: x.xxx , so my concept was to replace first all the 1 to 2 and then change all the .0 to .2. This is just one variation but it works well. I’ve tested with a sea-star, and i got a really nice abstract form. More variations are possible of course, its a good opportunity for further experiment.

For those who don’t know how to open the (data-bended) `.obj´file, there are two options:
–Kineme 3d this is not free, but really cheap and you have the option to use some post process things like the ´Kineme 3D Object Blend´to make a nice morph between the original model and the modified one.
–V002 Model Loader (from Vade), this one is free and has a lot of goodies (wireframe, texture options and more)

I would put one of those in a track ball macro and after in a lighting macro and done.

So the question is this: is it possible to use this solution with other file formats?

the answer: Yes, from the bitmap formats there is the ´.raw´file. The problem with the non raw based formats, there is this header thing, if we modify it, the file will be dead. The raw format is without header. Anytime i tried to do it with any other formats, quartz composer did something with all the text and i was unable to re-open the file.

so i randomly modified the letter “o” to the letter “p” in my raw file. After i reloaded in photoshop.

i would share two important links at this point:
1. the ´Vernacular file formats´
2. Stallio´s tutorial

happy bending!!!

the data-bend and the 3d models

These are just the first steps of my experiment with 3d models. I used collada format (.dae), i didnt try with any other format, but iam sure that .fbx is not working at all.

I made the first test with a simple sphere, and maybe i was lucky, because it worked well. here is the result:

i really like the idea of the perfect spherical form going to be an abstract structure. I put some lights on, but i didnt touch the surface. The moire like failures on the surface are without any texture.

here is this moire like surface:

Afterwards i tested several complex models as sea-fish, cassette, skull, abstract structure of pipes and a tree. The models during the databend was totally destroyed, so i changed back to a simple form. It was a Icosidodecahedron.

This is the really perfect form, really difficult to destroy.

The next step would be to test a model with texture.

SCREENPLAY- event under deep development

so what is it exactly:

An audiovisual statement. A collection. An experience.
Real-time artifacts of contemporary culture.

SCREENPLAY represents contemporary audiovisual art with special focus on generative or cinematographic performance as well as performance involving live-camera-feedback.

SCREENPLAY shows an eclectic selection of artists who explore aestetic principles on the frontiers of new technologies, interactive story-telling and the interplay of audio and video.

Besides showing a cross-section of contemporary live-cinema performances, SCREENPLAYwill host a panel discussion for artists, researchers and critics to exchange and elaborate on their viewpoints about the development of the ‘live-cinema’ artforms.
Is ‘live-cinema’ a furthe advancement of classic cinema or a new form of expression in the light of modern ‘real-time’ technologies and ideas?

With other words, this is not a festival, more like a one night event with discussion, lot of performances and installation. Nothing else. We try to give an overview, what are these categories like: Audiovisual performance, live cinema, expanded cinema.

If you in Berlin please come and visit our event at the 9th of april.

location: Collegium Hungaricum Berlin (.CHB)

and a list of artists:

Installationen

• Georgina Espasa (ES/DE)
• Servando Barriero (ES/DE)
• Tim de Cort + Flux (BE/DE)

Live Performances

• Abstract Birds (IT)
• Collage d’Ombre (DE/ES/FR)
• Elektro Moon + Unstable Routine (HU/PL)
• Exlex (HU)
• Iduun (FR)
• Marco Donnarumma (IT)
• Olga Mink (NL)
• Pixel Noizz (HU)
• Solu (FI)
• Yagama (BG/DE)
• Yroyto (FR)
• Ilan Katin (US/HU/DE)

our website: http://chb.screenplaynights.com/en/av-night/artists/

and our trailer:

the captain, the cat and leonardo

I found the captain´s secret cat. Well i didn´t consume anything bad, just found my self in a lovely situation. Just let me explain.

Step 1. experimenting with palettes and patterns.

click on it to get the animated version.

step2. i was looking at the picture and at the left-middle part of it i found some creatures again (see pervious post). So i tried to isolate those creatures.

this is it. the cat was hidden, doing something blue.

i decoded it.:)