pervasive media studio

Mapping motion experiments

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Over the past month I’ve been working towards my goal of projecting onto moving objects. From the outset I knew this ambitious project would be a journey of technical research, yet it seems that every step has revealed even greater complexities and challenges for me to unravel and conquer. A satisfying process that has been fueling my hunger for new territory and constantly expanding the horizon of possible ideas.

Since establishing an understanding of Max/Msp (a graphical interface for programming) I managed to link the program with a Phidget microprocessor that controls up to four stepper motors simultaneously.

I then spent a week constructing a wooden structure to house the motor and projector. I built an elaborate gearing system using bicycle cogs and a heavy load bearing, to transfer the motor rotation to a solid revolving platform. This mechanical set up will now be able to accurately shift large scale heavy sculptures.

So this week I’ve been testing mapping techniques in the studio using a simple cube composition, using After Effects to trace the animation in 2D. I’ve also learnt a few new tricks from Joanie (AntiVj, studio resident) using Cinema 4D and VVVV for real time 3D mapping.

Currently trying to over come synchronization issues, as there seems to be a slight delay between motor motion and projection response time… hopefully some sequencing fiddling within the max/msp programming will solve this, for seamless beautiful harmony.

So watch out for some colourful spinning cubes dazzling the studio this week!