Your Custom Text Here
Here is the first proof of concept for interfacing our Procedural Generations Motion Graphics software with the WiiMote.
Works pretty well so far. There is a balance between data sensitivity and aesthetics which turned out to be the real challenge in this experiment. This iteration of the software smoothed the output from the WiiMote which makes the video look a lot better, but decreases the latency a tad.
But one observation has taken the RPC scientists somewhat by surprise. The comet seems to be emitting a ‘song’ in the form of oscillations in the magnetic field in the comet’s environment. It is being sung at 40-50 millihertz, far below human hearing, which typically picks up sound between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. To make the music audible to the human ear, the frequencies have been increased by a factor of about 10,000.
The music was heard clearly by the magnetometer experiment (RPC-Mag) for the first time in August, when Rosetta drew to within 100 km of 67P/C-G. The scientists think it must be produced in some way by the activity of the comet, as it releases neutral particles into space where they become electrically charged due to a process called ionisation. But the precise physical mechanism behind the oscillations remains a mystery.
As if you were not sufficiently astonished by us landing a spacecraft on a comet hurtling through space, it turns out that the comet is singing us a song!
As a test of ShowBlender's Audio Visualization tools, I ran the Comet's Song through a audio responsive kaleidoscopic motion graphics iterator of a photo of the comet. It has some great looking textures, and makes some fun pareidolia(A Dragons head, faces etc).
Something neat to see while you listen to the cosmic rhythms!
You can download a copy of the OSX application to play with!
Have you ever noticed the appearance of an extra bright area at the edge of a gradient, or a darker looking area at the border between shapes of differing brightness?
Take a look at this video:
Mach Banding Illusions demonstrate some interesting aspects of how our visual systems process information. We often describe the eye like a camera, and in certain ways, it is an accurate model. Unfortunately our visual system is not a camera, and we don't always interpret light in direct accordance with photon reception. This demonstration will show the effects Mach Banding, and the process of Lateral Inhibition which induces the phenomenon. Gradients like the one in the example don't occur naturally in nature. Gradient detection in the real-world likely evolves from our visual system attempting to use lighting gradients as indicators of an object's depth/shape. We use software to induce and enhance the Mach Banding effect for easier identification.
This process has a bigger impact than one may first imagine. In the Healthcare Industry, for example, Mach Banding can create false positives in medical imaging/diagnostics due to incorrectly perceived levels brightness in gradients. Lives have been lost due to incorrect analysis/interpretations of perceived highlighting, increasing the contrast and sharpness of gradient edges, introduced by gradient Mach Banding. With appropriate knowledge of Mach Banding, healthcare professionals can avoid misdiagnosis by referencing the original image through waveform, vectorscopes, or histogram monitoring to ensure that the perceived brightness accurately reflects actual image brightness.
You can Find a link to the OSX Mach Banding Simulation Application we made here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pwieclnlqykvkjn/MachBanding.zip?dl=0
1. Download, extract, and run the app(it looks best in Fullscreen due to color sampling/scaling).
Bonus Easter Egg: You can press 'h' in order to view a histogram of the rendered image which shows the luminance of the image live, in real-time.
Further Reading:
Salience of Mach bands as a function of the relative linearity of the luminance gradient stimulus. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC21849/figure/F2/
Demonstration Machine Specs: MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014), 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3, Intel Iris 1536 MB.
This is the first test of incorporating audio responsive elements(in this case via the mic input) to the Procedural Generations Native-OSX Application Product Line. As audio input volume fluctuates, our software responds visually, in this case by modulating certain aspects of our motion graphics in compelling ways. We have the ability to isolate Low-Medium-High frequencies separately to create visual compositions that reflect the acoustic dynamics of live audio inputs.
In this case, all three displays driven by a single i5 Retina Macbook using 3 different instances of Procedural Generations software. 2 External 1080P displays(via HDMI and Thunderbolt->HDMI), as well as the internal Retina 2560x1600 monitor, a staggering 8-Megapixel(8243200!) @60FPS!
Live Audio Visualizers have a wide variety of live event applications. We will develop efficient(native OSX applications) motion graphics applications for your specific live event.
For example, we can work with your talent, to create an interface with their:
Future improvements(currently in development) include Audio Input routing(improving latency, sensitivity, and accuracy), and integration with MIDI, and TouchOSC events.
Let us know what you think!
Proof of Concept, Using Conway's Game of Life to generate or de-generate shapes, in this case ShowBlender.
Does anyone have experience with Reverse Cellular Automata, or, more practically, generating stable patterns(Still lifes/Oscillators/Spaceships/Garden Of Eden) using Conway's Game of Life or other cellular automata techniques(Critters/Highlander/Block cellular automaton is a better option)? Any math majors understand Curtis–Hedlund–Lyndon Theory enough to explain it to me?
This post is largely going to be useful to only a very small set of individuals, but for those panicked few who need this information, they may find it invaluable. Video Engineering for the Rodeo at the Cow Palace is a strange experience filled with stubborn mules and bullshit(not to mention the livestock). Had to re-engineer the media server system such that I pity the next engineer, so I posted a helpful guide if you are ever thrown in with their janky Resolume rig. I added custom MIDI control surface for playback because the only monitor they have powers on and off at random, and their keyboard is missing keys. The media server is full of dirt and and manure from being stationed near the bullriders and was routinely being hit with bucked clods of olfactory treats. I didn't escape very well either... http://www.showblender.com/blog-1/2014/10/24/local-16cow-palace-video-engineering-troubleshooting-guide
System: Windows 7 Resolume Avenue Server Connected via CAT-5 Processor to LED wall running at 768x384@59.94(2:1 AR) with live video input(via Canopus Firewire) and MIDI show control.
Windows 7 Server w/Firewire Input card
LED Processor
14MM LED 96x96px (8x4 Panel) 2:1 AR Wall
Canopus Firewire AV bridge
KORG nanoPAD2
VGA Monitor
Resolume Avenue
KORG MIDI Control
1. Wire all hardware components before powering on(Monitor[VGA], Canopus[Composite source-In/Firewire Out to Media Server], LED Processor[Cat-5 to wall/USB to Media Server/DVI from Media Server], MIDI pad[USB], keyboard[USB] and mouse[USB]).
2. Power up all peripherals, then power up the Media server.
3. If you see an error message on startup press Function F2 to bypass boot error message.
4. Windows Login/Pass: groovebox1 (if NumLock is on press Function NumLock to toggle off in order to type the ‘1’).
5. Open Resolute Avenue (The Blue A icon on the task bar).
6. Drag source files into a Layer(presumably layer 1), and check that they play in the preview window.
7. Have a great show!
Tiling is off-Make sure the SenderBox(SB-8) is set to 32(the number of LED tiles).
All sources are overscanned - Make sure the project is set to 768x384(there are saved files that can get you back on track if you need to.
No live video on Canopus sources(click the Video settings for the canopus, and make sure that timecode is running)- Save settings(Save As is best), power down server, make sure all connections are made, and power server back up.
Canopus sources are overscanned - Use the remote to adjust zoom to 1:1, and check source/transform settings on the source in Resolume.
Sources only play for a short time, ex. 5 sec then stop, adjust video Duration on the clip.(0 is forever 5000=5 sec…)
Good luck!
Safety needs to be taken absolutely seriously in our industry, as accidents can have permanent consequences. I'm currently being treated for hearing damage from someone blowing out a speaker that I happened to be walking by(Meyer UPM at full volume 6 inches from my ear).
In response to the tragic death of Sarah Jones the people at A Pledge for Sarah have developed an app called "Set Safety" designed for reporting unsafe working conditions or hours on productions.
Here are direct links to the (Surprisingly hard to find) Apps:
From A Pledge to Sarah.
We ask all cast & crew, regardless of pay scale or position, to take this pledge and agree to reaffirm it every year with the understanding that only together can we create change.
I solemnly pledge from this day forward that a safe set will be my first and highest priority.
I pledge to look out for the safety of those around me and in turn will expect others to do the same.
As a department head I pledge to speak up on behalf of anyone who comes to me with a concern. As a member of the cast or crew I pledge to always watch out for everyone’s safety, because safety is too big of a job for any one person to cover.
I pledge that every day I will have my fellow crewmembers’ backs and that I will do whatever is necessary to ensure their safety.
I pledge to be a part of the solution and it starts right now.
In the name of Sarah Jones, Brent Hershman, and all those who have been taken from us too soon, this is my pledge.
You can sign the pledge here:
I was testing the new spriteKit Particle emitters, and have somehow made configurations in a project such that xCode crashes when it opens the project. I've restarted and tried it on my backup machine. This is happening in both the Xcode 6 beta, and the production 6.0.1 release.
I pushed the project source to github if anyone wants to take a look at it.
UPDATE from Apple:
Apple Developer Relations
08-Oct-2014 07:55 AM
Engineering has provided the following information:
We believe this issue has been addressed in the latest Xcode 6.1 beta.
This pre-release version of the Xcode 6.1 developer tools is required when developing for OS X Yosemite, and includes the Swift programming language. Xcode 6.1 beta runs on OS X Mavericks and OS X Yosemite Developer Preview.
Please test with this release, and update your bug report with the results.
Xcode 6.1 beta - Build 6A1046b
https://developer.apple.com/xcode/downloads/
Please let us know if that resolves the issue for you by updating your bug report.
Local 16 is offering Lynda.com training to its members. I found it extremely valuable, and tried to complete as many classes as possible in the time allotted. There are a lot of classes that are relevant to our field, and I wanted to give you some feedback on my experiences.
Courses:
Great 4 hour in-depth class which covers every aspect of Apple Keynote. Many skills are applicable to Powerpoint as well. Great for Graphics, Good for Video.
Compressor 4.1 Essential Training
This class discusses using Apple Compressor, and video compression in general. Good explanations of resolutions, frame-rates, codecs, formats, file container, wrappers. Good for Video Engineers/Camera.
Video Production Techniques: Location Audio Recording
Good discussion of basic Audio recording considerations. Basic mic placement, practical for video capture. Good for intro Audio, Video.
PowerPoint 2010: Audio and Video in Depth
This is an advanced Powerpoint instructional video. There is a lot of information about compatibility, and troubleshooting video and audio playback. Some basic scripting for external applications. Somewhat esoteric knowledge, but I learned a few tricks that I know will come in handy in the field. Good for Graphics/Video(not a beginner class).
This course describes in detail how to set up a video shoot for an interview, but the concepts apply to our craft as well. Some of the ideas are really useful, like sightlines, staging, and Exposure Triangle. It can also serve as a very Basic Lighting course. Good for Video, Camera or Intro Lighting.
Shooting with Blackmagic Cameras
This is a great introductory course for shooting with DSLR cameras. The workflow for these cameras is different, and their functionality is limited in some strange ways. Even seasoned Journeymen Cameramen could benefit from this class, as Blackmagic Cameras don't work at all like Studio Cameras. Would be good as a basic Intro Video/Cameras.
Lighting Design for Video Production
This was my favorite of the Lighting Classes. It clearly explains how to light indoor and outdoor shots for video production. It also talks about techniques to achieve different moods through lighting. Good for Video/Camera/Lighting.
Photography and the Law: Understanding Copyright
This is a good 1 hour class about basic copyright, and usage of audio, stills, and video. Could help the union avoid infringement issues. Good for Graphics/Audio/Video.
Video Production Techniques: Promotional Videos
This is a broad course, which doesn't focus much on technical aspects. It shows all the basic considerations of making a video, describing all phases of pre/post-production. Ok for Into Video/Camera.
All in all, lynda.com is a pretty amazing resource for IATSE members to draw upon. They follow product releases and give up-to-date training for a number of applications we will continue to need to support. They also have some basic stagecraft training which would benefit our members as well.
Classes seem relatively good, although I would prefer that there were some form of testing integrated into their 'certifications'. FYI-A certification from lynda doesn't necessarily prove knowledge of a subject, it just proves your played through all the videos.
Lynda.com is a FAR better experience than the online education experiences I've had on OSHA, and Infocomm. I support our members furthering their education via online resources like Lynda.com. You may want to explore https://www.udemy.com/courses/ which has similar courses, but is not a paid subscription model(some classes are free) and may be more cost effective training if a member only needs a particular class.
Thanks to the union for this opportunity to further my education, and let me know if you are going to be taking these classes and want advice.
In Solidarity,
-Joe McCraw
Arduino is an amazing microcontroller platform. Bridging the gap between software development and interacting with the physical world is really amazing. Jordan Sitkin and I made a very silly autonomous artbot.
Planning to ruggedize it a little add a springloaded stick of chalk to it and send it out into the streets!
Video of the little guy in action here:
End Result:
Arduino ArtBot v0.1b
Please help keep SF a competitive place to make films. Thousands of jobs depend on it. Please do your part, and call the numbers below and advocate for the original neighborhood notification language to stand.
Thanks!
-Joe
Notice I received from FilmSF:
ACTION NEEDED NOW IN ORDER TO KEEP SF FILM FRIENDLY AND KEEP PRODUCTIONS HERE!!!!
What You Need to Do: CALL Supervisor Malia Cohen's office @ (415) 554-7670 IDENTIFY WHICH UNION YOU REPRESENT
When: NOW
Why: TO SAVE PRODUCTION JOBS IN SF
Supervisor Cohen (District 10) has introduced Ordinance 140854 which goes before the full Board of Supervisors Tuesday at 2pm, which would require productions to notify neighborhoods 72 hours in advance of filming - with no exceptions. Initially, Supervisor Cohen asked for "24 hour notification, when feasible" but she changed this to 72 hours and withdrew this "when feasible" clause Monday afternoon.
We all know that things change in the production world. "Acts of God" can occur such as:
This legislation HURTS productions, and HURTS JOBS. It is a signal to productions that San Francisco IS NOT FILM FRIENDLY.
We just had a huge win with the expansion of the State Film Tax Credit, which brings us the opportunity to have MORE production here - MORE LOCAL MIDDLE CLASS JOBS. We can't afford to scare productions away with this type of restriction. We support the need to notify neighborhoods - but there needs to be room for these last minute changes that we all know can happen.
Tell Supervisor Cohen this is important to you - and URGE HER TO RE-INSERT THE "WHEN FEASIBLE" CLAUSE INTO Ordinance 140854
***KEEP CALLING UNTIL YOU REACH SOMEONE. DON'T GIVE UP! State your Union Affiliation!
Also, call as many of the other Supervisors listed below and give them the same message, as they vote on this Tuesday afternoon. If Supervisor Cohen won’t agree to re-insert the "when feasible" clause, the other Supervisors need to vote this legislation down. They need to hear your voice - “ that this is important to you" - to keep middle class jobs thriving in San Francisco through production. **There is no public comment Tuesday before the Supervisors vote – so between now and Tuesday at 2pm is the time to have your voice heard by all of the Supervisors.
CALL the Supervisors and tell them to VOTE NO ON ORDINANCE 140854
Supervisor Avalos District 11: 415-554-6975
Supervisor Campos District 9: 415-554-5144
Supervisor Kim District 6: 415-554-7970
Supervisor Tang District 4 : 415-554-7460
Supervisor Breed District 5: 415-554-7630
Supervisor Chiu District 3: 415-554-7450
Supervisor Farrell District 2: 415-554-7752
Supervisor Mar District 1: 415-554-7410
Supervisor Wiener District 8: 415-554-6968
Supervisor Yee District 7: 415-554-6516
ACT NOW!
SAVE FILM JOBS IN SF BY KEEPING SF FILM FRIENDLY!
Pass this email on to your members and friends who value keeping film in San Francisco!
Thanks for your help!
Susannah Greason Robbins
Executive Director
San Francisco Film Commission
City Hall, Room 473
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-554-6642 (direct line)
415-554-6241 (office)
415-554-6301 (fax)
Via:
PS-This information did not appear via a google search. If you find a better link, let me know, and if legit, I'll forward the link there.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 14, 2014
Contact: Joe McCraw - joe@showblender.com - 888-573-5589
ShowBlender, Opens Beta Access to Procedural Generations Motion Graphics Software
New software from Berkeley-based audiovisual industry specialist has potential to transform the events and production industry.
Compile Instead of Render
Berkeley, Calif. -- ShowBlender, a Berkeley-based audiovisual industry specialist, announced today the opening of beta access for its new Procedural Generations Motion Graphics Software, a motion graphics solution designed to compress media files dramatically, and reduce render times for applications by shrinking to the kilo- to mega-byte range from the typical gigabyte range.
ShowBlender has years of industry expertise operating within the confines of massive data workflows. Procedural Generations takes an alternative approach to production workflows by using GPUs to render media live. With this new model, there is very little disk I/O, which ends the need for large RAID, SSD or expensive media servers, as well as heavy disk reading and writing. Procedural Generations significantly reduces time spent in buffering or copying files, which frees users to deploy resources in more productive areas.
Build custom-applications for Mac beginning with the next live event. Powered by native components—CoreGraphics, SpriteKit and Quartz—the applications are efficient OS X applications; they enjoy stability, optimized performance, and efficient memory management. Applications are scalable to any resolution or aspect ratio(limited only by the graphic card). Applications are event-driven, meaning they are responsive to the keyboard, live audio, MIDI, mouse or touch. ShowBlender offers single-app solutions, which integrate with Syphon to share frames in real-time and build creative applications.
Deploy skilled human resources flexibly without having to wait long for re-rendering large video formats or make changes on the fly with the elegant solution. Beginning with the next event, license un-watermarked content or develop branded visual content to match any design—RBG color values, show-pacing and tone.
ShowBlender offers digital media solutions for specific design requirements using its advanced motion graphics and video engineering technology. The Berkeley-based provider has established a clientele for high-resolution, multi-format, widescreen digital media, optimizable for LED or projection systems and playback or video switching needs. The team at ShowBlender understands the needs of content-focused, creative design teams who often face challenges in areas such as bandwidth constraints, blend regions, or aspect-ratio projection designs. Custom-templates or solutions are designed to help clients overcome such stumbling blocks. Over the years, ShowBlender has successfully engineered solutions for equipment vendors and production managers and design teams, enabling them develop solutions for any production needs.
Procedural Generations is ideally suited for corporate events, digital signage, live event production, meetings and trade shows.
For more information, and to request beta access,, please visit http://www.ShowBlender.com/procedural-generations or call + 1 888 573 5589.
About ShowBlender
ShowBlender, a Berkeley-based software developer led by Joe McCraw, specializes in the products for audiovisual industry. ShowBlender provides unique engineering, software and production design services to make your next event shine. Other popular software developed by the specialist provider include SpeakerSync, Promptly, Quietcomm, Twitterpated and UpTime.
Web: http://www.showblender.com/procedural-generations/
Email: joe@showblender.com
I have developed an AV Software that I'd like to get some feedback on. Its a High-Resolution Procedurally Generated Realtime Motion Graphics Renderer written natively for OSX with CoreGraphics, Spritekit, and Quartz components. It has an integrated Syphon server for Projection Mapping or integrating with VJ software. It's under 1MB, and it can scale to any resolution. Perfect for High Resolution/Widescreen/Projection/LED. Custom solutions for Permanent Installs, Digital Signage, Screen-Savers etc. Contact me for an early beta access.
For the record, I love BlackMagic hardware products. The MiniRecorder, the HD-SDI Router, and the converters are all great products. The only problem is the software. I've had an unbelievable amount of troubles with the software they offer. I've had Blue Screens of Death, random crashes, and whenever I try to play an mp4 in Media Express, it crashes.
My advice? Stay with whatever version is working for you, and avoid being an early adopter of their software updates, especially not before a show.
Setting the ip of the ATEM switcher after the update will not connect. Changing the IP via USB Setup Utility works, but the Software just won't connect after flashing the software to 6.0, restarting, changing IPs(172, 10.x.x.x's are the same).
Previously:
Live-events had a unique set of technical requirements in order to perform well in a production environment. Having specialized tools that were designed with Event Production specifically in mind is paramount when dealing with our particular challenges. Whether its a piece of moleskin, a BNC Tool, or Coffin Key, having the right tool is critical.
Accurate Scaling can help you to quickly and easily identify the Aspect Ratio, Pixel Count(Horizontal and Vertical), and Graphics Card information, at a glance.
With the prevalence of widescreen, LED walls, and other complex video routing in mission critical events, it is imperative that you know what resolution you are currently outputting. EDID Management, 3rd party software(SwitchResX)/hardware(Matrox), with custom resolutions, Intermittent cables and connections can cause a display to lose sync and revert to previous settings.
Using software components native to Mac OSX, Accurate Scaling performs efficiently and reliably.
The Pro Version removes the watermarks, has test-patterns, and provides far more system information.
Requirements: Mac OSX 10.8 or 10.9(Fullscreen support for Yosemite under development).
Every once in a while I get a break from production and get to enjoy some down time in the San Francisco Bay Area. This weekend, I was lucky enough to see the Awesöme Orchestra some play at the Firehouse Art Collective in Berkeley, CA. Really fun event(Don't forget to bring beer for the performers!).
This is a video of the Game of Thrones Theme played for their second time ever.
Awesöme Orchestra(http://www.awesomeorchestra.org/). This Community Orchestra offers anyone a chance to play with(or just come listen to) an orchestra.
They play at the Firehouse Art Collective(http://firehouseartcollective.blogspot.com/) in Berkeley, CA
"Terminator 5 will be filming on 2 Bay Area Bridges this weekend.
Saturday 8/2 from 4am to 9am filming will be on the Bay Bridge.
Sunday 8/3 from 6am to 10am beginning on the Waldo Grade and continuing across the Golden Gate Bridge.
There will be rolling traffic breaks which will most certainly result in additional traffic congestion. Please plan accordingly!
In Solidarity,
The Officers and Staff of Local 16"
via IATSE Local 16 Staff
Spyder Operators: How has your experience been with Vista Advanced 4.0.4 so far?
Here is my experience on a current show, and some of the quirks I've had to work around. Let me know how its been working out for you.
1. The GUI Command keys often freeze up(command keys can be cloned, but not deleted or moved). This requires a repair data list.
2. Loading a Still to a PVW layer takes a the normal time, but for some reason, but reloads each still before mixing into program(The rest of the command key executes immediately with stills showing up 15-20 seconds after).
3. The GUI(even the default layout) has a ton of minor glitches that really need a polish(see attached image). Responsive design elements would greatly improve the UI.
4. A Generate OpMon PixelSpace Overlays would be nice.
5. Switch Known Crosspoints keeps getting turned on somehow, requiring a frame restart. Seems like maybe its a default setting that overrides the current settings(A checkbox in the configurator would be great).
6. Horizontal line of noise on ConfigMon only(glitch appears on any mon set as Config).
7. Offset Cloning a Still Layer in All Pixelspaces doesn't render the clone.(Never tried this before, so disregard if this wouldn't work in the first place).
Current setup(x20, 4.0.4, no Still Server, BM 40x40, LW 32x32, Spyder Client).
Cheers!
-Joe
Video Engineering is an experience driven career path. Electrical Engineering fundamentals are a necessary component, but working in the field requires knowing the intricacies of every component in their system. Video systems engineering requires utilizing whatever combination of tools available to accomplish the task at hand.
One thing that many engineers have difficulty installing Video Matrix Routers into Video Engineering systems when introduced to unfamiliar brands(differing Default IPs, Serial Protocols, custom UIs etc). Each has its pros/and cons, so I hope I can give you troubleshooting tips to get you up and running. Lightware Routers in particular, are fantastic once you understand some of the features(not bugs) of the product, and we hope this can help you find success on your next production. We are available to help troubleshoot your next video system configuration, or design pixel-perfect motion-graphics optimized for your playback/distribution systems.
Good Luck!
-Joe McCraw
Some of the most amazing Projection Mapping and Procedurally Generated Audio Responsive Live Visuals I've ever been a part of, for the F8 Developers Conference. Powered By TouchDesigner, After Effects, OSC, ChromaSquid, and Synchromesh. It looked stunning. Take a peek here!
-Joe
