christianmeinke.com » processing

Agent-based Generative Patterns

CM — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:35:51 +0000

Again it’s been a while since tinkering with Processing and generative design for the last time (day-to-day jobs can be oppressively monotonous at times). I’m currently spinning ideas for an upcoming series of vinyl artworks (possibly) accompanied by large format offset prints.

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Still images from generative software (source format 8000x5000px at 300dpi)

While the compelling and eye-catching beauty of generative patterns based on moving beziér curves are already old hat and widely cited, I’m still thinking that there’s room for conceptual enhancement and further analysis of the topic.

Currently, I’m testing various interfaces and input stimuli / formats (i.e. sound, image-analysys and various data formats & sources) to create interactive structures not only producing decorative drawings, but creating generative patters based on logical sequences and structures.

Current prototypes are using a simple graphic-tablet to trigger and stimulate swarm-based simulations involving up to 250 autonomous agents of different life cycles.

» More stills of created generative patterns are available at Flickr.com

Morphing Surfaces

CM — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:23:21 +0000

While sorting sketch folders and workspaces some days ago, I came across some rough Processing drafts based on eskimoblood’s Surface library. It’s more than 2 years ago, that I was utilizing this inspiring source of 3-dimensional surfaces and objects for the last time, but I couldn’t resist to give certain aspects another spin.

In previous experiments I completely missed out on the morphing functionality provided by the library and just after some quick testing of available surfaces I came up with some quite interesting forms and results. Combinations of two surfaces – a 1st more complex like a Tranguloid Trefoil and more simple counterparts (i.e. Spheres) turned out to be a valuable source and basis for further sketching.

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Current versions and prototypes are combining rotation and scaling as well as growth-like animations using the underlying mathematical structures (see Paul Bourke) and qualities of certain surfaces.

While still being impressed by the aesthetic value of generated forms and artfully arranged elements, I’m already thinking about using underlying procedures and algorithms for more applied usage in upcoming projects.

See more stills of created generative forms at Flickr.

OpenSound Control (OSC) Resources

CM — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:21:09 +0000

I’m currently researching for possible interfaces and options to send and receive data from/to processing and java projects as well as Max/Msp patches. Currently I’m focussing on input devices connected via wireless (mobile devices) and usb/serial connections but also on software-to-software interfaces linking between the programming environments mentioned above.

Java & Processing

NetUtil OSC Library for Java Compact and efficient java library for sending and receiving messages using the OpenSound Control (OSC) protocol
MaxLink Java libraries enabling communication between Processing (Java) and Max/MSP (made quite good experiences connecting Java applications with Max (4.x & 5) patches. Recommended!)
oscP5 OSC implementation for the programming environment Processing
OSC communication between Max and Processing (triggered by Midi controller) Tutorial by Ash Oakenfold

Mobile (input) Devices

Mrmr for the iPhone/iPod Touch mrmr is an open-source research project to develop a standardized set of protocols and syntax conventions to control live installations and multimedia performances via mobile devices (demo video on youtube)
TouchOSC iPhone / iPod Touch application that lets you send and receive Open Sound Control messages
OSCemote Remote control application for the iPhone and iPod Touch (check the examples)
OSCulator Another software linking controllers to music and video software
oscpack Set of C++ classes for packing and unpacking OSC packets

Misc.

OSC-tagged bookmarks at delicious.com
OpenSound Control Home Page University of California, Berkeley
opensoundcontrol.org Center For New Music and Audio Technology (CNMAT), UC Berkeley
LusidOSC Open source initiative to define and support a layer for unique spatial input devices using OpenSound Control

If you like to recommend projects or resources that are not listed below, drop a comment. Any recommendations and helpful hints are much appreciated.

Sushitech Vinyl Artwork

CM — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:35:16 +0000

Since early 2006 I’m doing design work for the label originally hailing from London. Since then I created a wide palette of Vinyl artworks for the main label and it’s subdivisions. All of the three ‘branches’ of the label are visually (and musically ) following a different style and aesthetic direction, ranging from pure b/w typographic compositions and handlettered / handdrawn illustrations up to abstract patterns based on generative forms.

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The vinyl artworks showcased here are featuring graphic forms based on simple geometric shapes arranged by fractal patterns. Underlying algorhythms (see Fractal And Lindenmeyer Systems) are forming the generative compositions.

Used software was built with Processing

More high-res photos and stills can be found at Flickr.

Synket Vinyl Artwork

CM — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:55:06 +0000

Phew… Almost a year passed by since my last post. Time to bring this tiny little white space back to life. To continue the line of bloggings filed under ‘Designing With Code’, I’ll upload some documenting pictures of artworks for a 12″ vinyl series I did some months ago. Graphics are based on sketches that utilize Andreas Koeberle’s Surface Library for Processing.

Besides designing the logo for Berlin based label Synket, I did numerous experiements and sketches to find a visual aesthetic that fits the approach and style of the musical projects. I ended up with a really stripped down version based on rotating horizontal and vertical strips of a shell surface that feels simple, yet complex in it’s own unique way.

Below you’ll find a few more pictures of the final products. High-res versions are available at Flickr.

Read more about concept and idea behind at the project page.

TwistingBoxes • Processing Sketch

CM — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:19:07 +0000

A few days ago I made some basic experiments with 3D Primitives in Processing while keeping an eye on temporal processes and time shifting. I also tested eskimobloods color import class, that allows you to import .cs and .act palette files into your Processing sketches.
These palette files can be exported from all popular graphic programms or by the help of online services like Color Schemer and ColorBlender.

The results can be seen below in the form of low-res stills and video footage – high-res versions can be found at Flickr.

Related Resources…

Color workshop by Joshua Davis
Colorstripping.joshuadavis.com – Color Array Tool

Stills: TwistingBoxes sketch, 2007-04-03

Video: Screencapture of TwistingBoxes.

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* Update

Extended the TwistedBoxes sketch by the use of modified L-system algorithms. High-res stills are available in the Processing set at Flickr.com.

Stills: TwistingBoxesFractal sketch, 2007-04-05