Tately Diep: Project 2 - Tape Mapping

 Concepts:

My concept for this project revolves around the idea of Nostalgia. I centered my project around the music video of Ditto by NewJeans as I believe both the song and film do a fantastic job capturing the bittersweetness of nostalgia through recorded videos. I created my series of scenes to match the idea of time passing by choosing compositions reflecting the varying seasons as well as integrating scenes that would match the lyrics or setting of the music video.

Techniques:

I did not just want to use the music video in my project. I wanted the video to feel more like a part of my project to make it fit the concept better. I edited the video file in AfterEffects as I added a camera recording overlay to the clips that are filmed from the point-of-view of the main character. In addition, I decided to add captions to make it easier for the audience to understand what the lyrics mean and chose a yellow italicized font to mimic captions on older films. In MadMapper, I kept the scene minimal in complexity as I did not want to make the composition visually overwhelming. I tried maintaining a designated color palette for individual scenes to indicate to the viewer what season/emotion/mood is being portrayed. 

Editing in After Effects

Adding My Own Captions & Overlays

MadMapper Scenes

Interpretations:

For my project, I wanted to maintain the main focal point of the music video but create a composition that would complement it at the same time. Admittedly, my scenes are fairly simple as I only have 2 other quads besides the lines, however after experimenting with different combinations, I came to enjoy what is now the final product. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my more simple scenes and glad that I was able to implement old skills from AfterEffects into this project as well.

Reina Park: Projection 2 Tape Mapping

Concept:

For this project, I decided to create a composition of my scenes to be themed around fractal geometry. I started my project by taping an object on the wall: broccoli. I chose broccoli as an object to tape due to its sophisticated geometric nature. I utilized a projector in the 3D Studio to tape broccoli to start. 

Techniques:

 

I first created an SVG file in Adobe Illustrator to tape and utilize the lines in MadMapper.  I focused on how I could interpret and visualize the concept of fractal geometry, along with the object I chose to tape, broccoli, while exploring the MadMapper software. I also added an MP3 file to modify lines and quads by adding controls that automatically adjust each component I created and the musical elements, such as beat and amplitude. 

 

For my first scene, I used two different lines to utilize the taped lines and applied two different materials: Strob and [recode]_The_Chemical_Brothers. For the first line with the Strob material, I created a control list to modify the speed and offset of the lines along with the music in that I utilized the chained chase FX. For the second line, I created a different control list to modify the count and scale of the circles along with the MP3 file I imported. I also changed the color to mint to make my composition look more pop. I also created seven different quads with different materials (Chanel, Kali Circuit, Lignettes, Neon Dance, Starfield, Twisted, and Ribbons) to fill the inside of the broccoli. I utilized Vertex Noise FX and grouped the quads to make them move as a group so it doesn’t look too chaotic. 

For my second scene, I created three different broccolis that are inspired by professor Scott’s demo.

For the first broccoli, I applied the Infinite Cube material to my line and added a control that automatically adjusts its scale and angle according to the mp3 file that I imported. In the top part of the first broccoli, I utilized the Liquid Tail material with a control that modifies the scale of the material. In the bottom part of the broccoli, I used the Wire Tubes material and added a control that modifies the scale. 

I created two lines with different materials and controls for the second broccoli. In the firstling, I used the Noisy Barcode material with a control that automatically adds curves to the lines and a control that adjusts the hue value. In the second line, I utilized the SquareWave material. In the top part of the broccoli, I used the Neon Dance material with the Pixelate FX. In the bottom part, I found a WaveShapes material with controls that adjust the speed and tunnel of the material, which adds a geometric feeling to my composition.

Finally, I created two lines utilizing the Spectral Aim with shift scale adjustment and Glowing Dots materials with color adjustment for my third broccoli. To fill my lines in, I utilized the Caustics material with Voronoize FX, and control that changes the saturation of the FX, and an automatic scale adjustment to make the quad glow. 

I create two lines for my third scene to create an appealing composition. I used the Electrified  material with noise adjustment controls. For the second line, I utilized the Noise FX-flow with the Bubble Rings material to make my lines look like they were dancing to the MP3 file I imported. I also created two quads to fill in my lines. I utilized the Liquid Topo material along with the Pixelate FX for the top part of my broccoli. For the bottom part of the broccoli, I used the Organic material. 

Interpretation:

I got a great opportunity to explore a lot more about the materials and FXs in the MadMapper library while creating my compositions. Moreover, since I added an MP3 file that matches my overall theme: fractal geometry, I experimented with different control lists that automatically adjust various components in the MadMapper software. It was a wonderful experience, and I was able to visualize my abstract artistic thought by learning deeply about the MadMapper software. 

Esther Magege : Assignment #1 Backdrop Mapping Proposal

Concept

For this project, I was required to photograph an architectural sire to serve as a backdrop for projection mapping. This photograph served as the backdrop for 3 Pre-Set compositions to express a conceptual idea. Using tools such as Adobe Photoshop and MadMapper, I was able to create a series of compositions that expressed what I had in mind.

My concept for this project was inspired by the second Avatar movie that came out 2 months ago. I was inspired by all the ocean waves and I imagined that it would be cool to have the contrast of blue appear on the building as well as the motions of waves being projected.

Design Process

The first part of this project required me to photograph an architectural site (interior or exterior) to serve as a background. After exploring and photographing the area around me, I chose a photo that I felt was interesting to work with.

Cinemark (Music City Mall)

The next step I took was to darken the sky. Since this was an exterior shot in the afternoon, I wanted to simulate an evening/night setting for the projection mapping. I went into Adobe Photoshop and selected just the sky to create a mask layer over. For this image, I created create two mask layers each. One was a curves layer that I played around with to lower the exposure of the images. The second mask layer was a photo filter layer in which I placed a blue filter over the sky to simulate an evening/nighttime setting. After these alterations, I exported the image in the same dimensions as the projector in MadMapper.

Cinemark (Music City Mall)

The exported image was placed in MadMapper and applied as a backdrop. Then I added quads on top of that. I honestly was struggling a bit more than expected and so I kept it simple and projected it onto the flat walls of the building and ground.

Interpretations:  

For the project, I was kind of inspired by the second Avatar movie which is why there is a lot of blue and ocean-themed projections. However, I'm not really satisfied overall with the project. I'm happy that I did learn to use MadMapper and I feel that I have an okay grasp of the software but my project is not what I wanted it to be. I feel that I didn't express the concept well enough.

Caleb Wang, Projection 1: Background Mapping

Concepts

The concept for this project focuses on UTD and creating a sort of highlight for life at UTD. I took some interior photos of some of the school buildings at night and decided to use the architecture to my advantage. As someone with no experience with MadMapper or masking of any sort, this was a good exercise to get me familiar with the software.

Techniques

I mostly utilized quad layers and masking to achieve the intended effect. While some were easy, such as the one on the pillar and the table, others required extensive masking. The one on the floor in particular took some effort to mask out, as legs of the chairs and tables needed to be masked out. In order to encapsulate the UTD spirit, I used footage of events that were held at UTD.

Interpretations

For this project, I wanted to focus my video on UTD. I wanted to keep the footage and locations relevant to my topic, and tried to showcase life at UTD the best I could. If I was more familiar with the software, I would’ve gone a bit deeper with the techniques that I used.

Stephen Jordan, Projection 1: Background Mapping

 Concept 

Observing the ATEC building, looking for unique forms to "activate," I couldn't help but feel lost in how spacious it was. After searching and ideating and taking dozens of photos, I decided my main concept would be to invoke the feeling of the galaxy surrounding the viewer, little particles all moving in different time, but working together and still feeling harmonious.

In the end, using different textures and materials, I wanted three distinct compositions to own their portions of the space, but flow together, and seem to live and breathe as one unit. 

Techniques

The first bit of ideation I did for this project was learning about the nature of Materials/Pixel Shaders in MadMapper. I learned how to layer them, blend them, and fine tune their parameters, so that I could achieve the vision I had for my ATEC galaxy. 

To apply these concepts to the space, I considered the unique aspects of the forms that would be useful for developing a theme. I zeroed in on a blueish-gray accent wall to the right of the space, a walkway that connects the left and right walls, and a wooden accented space at the highest point in my composition. 

Pictured below is my canvas, the space with no forms applied to it yet. The material shown on the left is the main engine behind the left side of the composition, which I Voronized through the FX panel and layered, to give it a sort of shimmery, broken glass feel.

 

 

In an effort to fully activate the space, I used the colors of the accent wall as the base for my materials on the left wall, and utilizing the walkway as a conceptual bridge between the two units. I wanted the space to feel as if the accented blue were coming to life, eternally shifting and crawling and being this nebulous creature that was taking over the entire space. I let the wooden office remain its own, shimmering, unendurable galaxy, while tying in some of its light, rolling dunes into the space below. 

Interpretation

In the above video, I flip through the natural progression of each composition until they are all working together, flowing as I had original envisioned. 

 

It starts steadfast on the left, where the nebulous planet and wooden galaxy remain still. Then, on the right side of the space, the blue wall becomes activated, travelling across the walkway, sending-ripples across the glassy surface of the space around the nebulous planet. 

 

I'm happy with the way they harmonize, and all seem to flow in one direction, across the space and over the viewer, though they might be a little bit gaudy all together. I think I have more to learn about subtlety in materials.

 

Brittany Han Projection 1 Background Mapping

Concepts:

My concept for this project revolves around submarines and the military personnel that manned these ships at pearl harbor. I decided to go with this photo as I was inspired when visiting the USS Bowfin museum during my recent trip to Hawaii.

Original Photo of Torpedo Room

Techniques:

Since the scene is indoors and already dark I didn't need to edit it much other then sizing it down to a specific area. I utilized the quad masking tool and added masks to add details to the projected areas. Additionally, I added inverted masks to the quad in the back over the torpedo tubes so that the only part you see would be inside the tube.

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Interpretations:

For my project, I wanted to make a memorial type show as that is what pearl harbor is dedicated for. I specifically put this towards the end of the tour for this reason; this is right before you head back onto the top of the submarine. I chose to center my scenes around a few of the faces of the 80 crew members within the submarine that helped to take revenge for the pearl harbor attack. Overall, I was satisfied with my first attempt. I enjoyed messing around with MadMapper; even if getting it to screen capture was a pain.

 in case video doesn't play link: https://youtu.be/KlFArHgd51k

Preston Wolfe Projection 1 Background Mapping

 For the first assignment I created a composition of night themed projections. Aiming to create a mesmerizing and imaginative atmosphere using stars projected on different surfaces such as walls, pillars, and panels in the ECSW Axxess Atrium. The concept of these projections is to bring the night sky indoors, providing a unique experience.

To achieve this outcome, I utilized Adobe After Effects to create 30-second clips that could be projected in specific sections (the walls, pillars, and panels). These animations were designed to complement the different surfaces. The use of Adobe After Effects enhanced the overall visual appeal of the night themed projections by utilizing effects and manipulating the settings within them. Additionally Adobe Photoshop was useful to create masks to layer the videos being projected onto the surfaces.

The projections are heavily influenced by three different styles, including a "warp speed" star show, traveling through space, and a moving star trail in a random pattern. These styles create a sense of motion and progression, giving the audience a feeling of being transported to a different world. The combination of these styles results in an immersive and captivating experience.

A video of the projections can be found here.

https://youtu.be/-lM9VTr9ra8