Monday, November 7, 2016

November 2016 screenings: Los Angeles and Greenwich

Clonal Colonies I will be included in the Center for Visual Music Salon Nov 18.

The full Clonal Colonies appears Nov 17-18 as part of Technarte Los Angeles, at USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Triptych Unfolding will appear in the Greenwich Sound/Image Colloquium, Nov 13.




Thursday, October 6, 2016

CVM Salon 12 October 2016

I will be at the Center for Visual Music Salon in Oxford on Wed 12 October — to be part of a screening of new and classic visual-music pieces and to answer questions about my work. More details are available here.

Monday, September 12, 2016

New Version of Nodewebba (beta 0.05) Now Available

The latest version of Nodewebba (September 2016) includes Hours/Minutes/Seconds display, and
MIDI control presets are separated from the main/node presets. Startup/reseed logic has been refined to provide consistent startup behaviors. Plus there is now an application icon (gasp)!

Mercurius screening at Fundacio Telefonica, Peru, 21 Sep 2016

Mercurius will be screening as part of "The Best of Punto y Raya" (Proyección especial: Lo mejor de punto y raya), 21 September 2016, 19:00 - 20:00, at Espacio Fundación Telefónica
Av Arequipa 1155 Santa Beatriz, 28004 Lima, Peru. This screening is part of the ESPACIO 360° festival.

Clonal Colonies 2nd Movement to screen at the Punto y Raya Festival 2016 at ZKM

The second movement of Clonal Colonies will be screened as part of the 2016 Punto y Raya Festival, which will run October 20th-23rd, 2016 at ZKM (Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie) in Karlsruhe, Germany. More information is available here.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Nodewebba Demo at ICMC Sep 15, Utrecht

I will be presenting a poster/demo of my Nodewebba software at the 2016 International Computer Music Conference (ICMC) in Utrecht, on Sep 15, 12:00-14:30.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Clonal Colonies at NYCEMF

Clonal Colonies screens Sunday, 19 June, 2016 at the New York City Electronic Music Festival, part of a show curated by the Fresh Minds Festival. (OK, so that's today – but I just received notice today!) This joins lots of other De Montfort University activity in the festival: the Acousmatic Music from MTI show in Concert 20 and Francesc Marti's Speech 2 in Concert 21.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Luna Series Screening in Tallinn June 1

The "Luna Series" (Mercurius, Lacus Temporis, and Sinus Aestum) will be screened with audiovisual works by Domenico de June 1, 2016 in Tallinn, Estonia in the Opera Studio of the Estonian Academy of Music. More information is available at the event's Facebook Page.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

"Replicator Grid" Blender script

This Blender script creates a 2D grid of replicated objects with a descending line of parenting control, running left to right, then down to the next row. The following video demonstrates:

 
 
# ---------
# Tested in Blender 2.75a and 2.76
# Makes a 'replicator grid' -- multiple copies of a given object, parented in a tranformation-control chain.
# Provides a single empty that controls the relative size, displacement and rotation of each successive object in relation to
# its parent.
#
# Usage: 
# Change the number of rows and columns below.
# Select target object to be replicated.
# Run the script.
# If you did this with an object named 'cube', for example,
# You will end up with a 'cube_replicator' empty, below which all of the duplicated objects
# have been parented.
# And you will have a new cube_replicator_control empty, which can be moved, scaled and rotated
# to control the overall replicator grid.

# Bret Battey / BatHatMedia.com September 2015
# ---------
# 

import bpy
from bpy.props import *

# specify number of rows and columns here!
rows = 5
columns = 5

# The following function is adapted from Nick Keeline "Cloud Generator" 
# addNewObject in object_cloud_gen.py

def duplicateObject(scene, name, copyobj):

    # Create new mesh
    mesh = bpy.data.meshes.new(name)

    # Create a new object.
    ob_new = bpy.data.objects.new(name, mesh)
    tempme = copyobj.data
    ob_new.data = tempme.copy()
    ob_new.scale = copyobj.scale
    ob_new.location = copyobj.location

    # Link new object to the given scene and select it.
    scene.objects.link(ob_new)
    ob_new.select = True

    return ob_new            


# Build the parenting chain of replications tied to empties and control 
# constraints. If we built a parented chain of objects, we wouldn't be able to 
# transform each object independently. So instead we build a parented chain of
# empties, then parent each duplicated object to one of the empties.

def gridOfReps(rows, cols, source_obj, ctrl, scene):
    for row in range(rows):
        for col in range(cols):
            #Create a locator empty
            bpy.ops.object.add(type="EMPTY", location=(0,0,0))
            rep_loc = bpy.context.object
            # The first empty becomes the root of the whole beast, and the 
            # source object gets parented to it
            if((row == 0) and (col == 0)):
                rep_loc.name = source_obj.name+"_replicator"
                parent_obj = rep_loc
                prev_row_locator = rep_loc
                source_parent = source_obj.parent
                # If the source object has a parent, locate and parent 
                # the new replicator base empty to that.
                if((source_parent) and (source_parent.type == 'EMPTY')):
                    rep_loc.location = source_parent.location
                    rep_loc.parent = source_parent
                # Otherwise just position the base empty to the source obj,
                # zero the source obj location, and parent to the base
                else:  
                    rep_loc.location = source_obj.location
                    source_obj.location = (0,0,0)
                    source_obj.parent = rep_loc   
            else: 
                rep_loc.name = "rep_loc_r"+str(row)+"c_"+str(col)  # name can't 
                    #be specified via the .add method
                rep_loc.parent = parent_obj # parent to the previous locator
                # First locator in each row other than 0 gets special treatment
                if((row > 0) and (col == 0)):
                    # First location constraint locks to the prev. row locator
                    constraint = rep_loc.constraints.new("COPY_LOCATION")  
                    constraint.target = prev_row_locator
                    constraint.use_x = True
                    constraint.use_y = True
                    constraint.use_z = True       
                    constraint.owner_space = "WORLD"
                    constraint.target_space = "WORLD"
                    constraint.influence = 1.0
                    # Second location constraint implements the z offset 
                    # from the controller      
                    constraint = rep_loc.constraints.new("COPY_LOCATION")  
                    constraint.target = ctrl
                    constraint.use_x = False 
                    constraint.use_y = False
                    constraint.use_z = True       
                    constraint.owner_space = "LOCAL"
                    constraint.target_space = "WORLD"
                    constraint.influence = 1.0
                    constraint.use_offset = True   # use the controller's 
                    # location as an offset rather than an absolute location
                    # And ready this locator to be basis of next row position
                    prev_row_locator = rep_loc
                else:
                    # For other items in a row, offset location x on basis of 
                    # controller
                    constraint = rep_loc.constraints.new("COPY_LOCATION")  
                    constraint.target = ctrl
                    constraint.use_x = True  # for offsetting a row, only x is 
                        # drawn from the controller 
                    constraint.use_y = False
                    constraint.use_z = False       
                    constraint.owner_space = "LOCAL"
                    constraint.target_space = "WORLD"
                    constraint.influence = 1.0
                    constraint.use_offset = True   # use the controller's 
                        #location as an offset rather than an absolute location
                # For all locators except the root, apply these influences from 
                    #the controller:
                # Copy_Rotation Constraint 
                constraint = rep_loc.constraints.new("COPY_ROTATION")  
                constraint.target = ctrl
                constraint.owner_space = "LOCAL"
                constraint.target_space = "WORLD"
                constraint.influence = 1.0
                # Copy_Scale Constraint. This will also cascade down the chain 
                    # due to the combined effect with the parenting 
                constraint = rep_loc.constraints.new("COPY_SCALE")  
                constraint.target = ctrl
                constraint.owner_space = "LOCAL"
                constraint.target_space = "WORLD"
                constraint.influence = 1.0
                # In all cases (except root), duplicate source object and parent
                    # to the replicator empty.
                # This strategy allows later transformations of the visible 
                    #object without influencing the children
                new_obj = duplicateObject(scene, "rep", source_obj)
                new_obj.parent = rep_loc    
                # Advance parent assignment
                parent_obj = rep_loc    
    return parent_obj

# get the source object

source_obj = bpy.context.object
source_loc = source_obj.location
source_scene = bpy.context.scene

# create and name the controller empty

bpy.ops.object.add(type="EMPTY", location=(0,0,0))
ctrl = bpy.context.object  
ctrl.name = source_obj.name+"_replicator_control"  # name can't be specified 
        #via the .add method

#replicate!
last_locator = gridOfReps(rows, columns, source_obj, ctrl, source_scene)
 

Blender Script for creating animated motion-trail ribbon

Given an object for which a motion-path has been generated, will create a Beziér-spline ribbon that follows the motion of the object for a given tail length (designated in frames).




# ---------
# Tested in Blender 2.75a and 2.76
# Makes a Bezier-spline motion trail for an object.
# Set the length of the tail in frames via the tail_length variable below.
# To run, select object, generate a motion path for the object (Editor>Motion Paths) across the total desired frame range, and Run Script.
# Warning: this can take a long time to run with long motion paths and long tail sizes
# Once the spline has been generated, extrude and/or add bevel and taper objects to the Geometry settings of the spline.
# Bret Battey / BatHatMedia.com September 2015
# ---------

import bpy
from bpy.props import *
from mathutils import *
from math import *
import time

# ----- FUNCTION DEFINITIONS -----

# Time utils thanks to http://blenderscripting.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/time

def get_last_time():  
    if len(time_list) < 2:  
        return "ERROR: must have two time entries to calculate the difference"  
    return time_list[-1] - time_list[-2]      
  
def mark_time():  
    time_list.append(time.time())      
  
time_list = [] 


##------------------------------------------------------------
#### Curve creation functions
# sets bezierhandles to auto
def setBezierHandles(obj, mode = 'AUTOMATIC'):
    scene = bpy.context.scene
    if obj.type != 'CURVE':
        return
    scene.objects.active = obj
    bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode='EDIT', toggle=True)
    bpy.ops.curve.select_all(action='SELECT')
    bpy.ops.curve.handle_type_set(type=mode)
    bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode='OBJECT', toggle=True)


# create new CurveObject 
def createCurve(verts, name):
      
    # create curve
    scene = bpy.context.scene  
    newCurve = bpy.data.curves.new(name, type = 'CURVE') # curvedatablock
    newSpline = newCurve.splines.new(type = 'BEZIER') # spline

    # The new spline already has one point. Add the remaining needed.
    newSpline.bezier_points.add(verts-1)

    # set curveOptions
    newCurve.dimensions = '3D'

    # create object with newCurve
    new_obj = bpy.data.objects.new(name, newCurve) # object
    scene.objects.link(new_obj) # place in active scene
    new_obj.select = True # set as selected
    scene.objects.active = new_obj  # set as active

    # set bezierhandles
    setBezierHandles(new_obj)

    return new_obj

#based on animation_rotobezier.py
def keyframeBezier(Obj, frame):

    Data = Obj.data
    
    for Spline in Data.splines:
        for CV in Spline.bezier_points:
            CV.keyframe_insert(data_path='co', frame = frame)
            CV.keyframe_insert(data_path='handle_left', frame = frame)
            CV.keyframe_insert(data_path='handle_right', frame = frame)
    
# -------------  SCRIPT START

tail_length = 60   # length of the spline in frames
object = bpy.context.object
path = object.motion_path
frame_start = path.frame_start
frame_end = path.frame_end
path_length = path.length

# --- create the Bezier curve
trail = createCurve(tail_length,object.name+" motion_trail")

mark_time() # start measuring elapsed time

# --- key frame the curve at every frame in the motion path

for i in range(tail_length-1,path_length): # motion path index
    print("Point "+str(i))
    for j in range(tail_length): # curve point index 
        trail.data.splines[0].bezier_points[j].co = path.points[(i-tail_length)+j].co # set the coordinates of the motion tail to the corresponding point on the motion path
    # keyframe it
    keyframeBezier(trail, frame_start+i)
    
mark_time()

print('The motion trail keyframing took {: 5g} seconds'.format(get_last_time()))




Blender Script for object-motion measurements

In Blender, given an object that has a motion path, will provide animated empties which indicate the object's velocity, acceleration, magnitude, and accumulated distance moved.


# ---------
# Tested on Blender 2.75a and 2.76
# For a given object, makes an empty, which moves to indicate the velocity (displacement between frames) for each axis of the original object
# and another empty providing magnitude of the movement
# and another empty providing accumulative displacement for each axis, 
# and yet another for acceleration. 
# To run, select object, generate a motion path for the object (Editor>Motion Paths) across the total desired frame range, and Run Script.
# Bret Battey / BatHatMedia.com Dec 2015
# ---------

import bpy
from bpy.props import *
from mathutils import *
from math import *
import time

# ----- FUNCTION DEFINITIONS -----

# Time utils thanks to http://blenderscripting.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/time

def get_last_time():  
    if len(time_list) < 2:  
        return "ERROR: must have two time entries to calculate the difference"  
    return time_list[-1] - time_list[-2]      
  
def mark_time():  
    time_list.append(time.time())      
  
time_list = [] 


# -------------  SCRIPT START

object = bpy.context.object
path = object.motion_path
frame_start = path.frame_start
frame_end = path.frame_end
path_length = path.length
# velocity empty
bpy.ops.object.empty_add(type='PLAIN_AXES', radius=1, view_align=False, location=(0,0,0), layers=object.layers)
velempty = bpy.context.object
velempty.name = object.name + '_velocity'
# vector magnitude 
bpy.ops.object.empty_add(type='PLAIN_AXES', radius=1, view_align=False, location=(0,0,0), layers=object.layers)
magempty = bpy.context.object
magempty.name = object.name + '_magnitude'
# accumulative distance traveled 
bpy.ops.object.empty_add(type='PLAIN_AXES', radius=1, view_align=False, location=(0,0,0), layers=object.layers)
accumempty = bpy.context.object
accumempty.name = object.name + '_accum_distance'
# acceleration 
bpy.ops.object.empty_add(type='PLAIN_AXES', radius=1, view_align=False, location=(0,0,0), layers=object.layers)
accelempty = bpy.context.object
accelempty.name = object.name + '_acceleration'

mark_time() # start measuring elapsed time

for i in range(0,path_length-2): # motion path index
    nextPointCo = path.points[i+1].co # next time point
    thisPointCo = path.points[i].co # this time point
    dif = nextPointCo-thisPointCo # x,y,z distances
    mag = sqrt(dif[0]*dif[0]+dif[1]*dif[1]+dif[2]*dif[2]) # vector magnitude via pythagorean theorem
    velempty.location = dif # set vel empty's location to the velocity vector
    magempty.location[2] = mag # set z position of mag empty's location to the magnitude
    frame = frame_start+i  # get absolute frame number
    velempty.keyframe_insert(data_path='location',frame=frame,index=-1) # set keyframe for velocity. index -1 = set all three axes
    magempty.keyframe_insert(data_path='location',frame=frame,index=2) # set keyframe for velocity. index -1 = set all three axes
    if i == 0:
        accumempty.keyframe_insert(data_path='location',frame=frame,index=-1) # set keyframe. index -1 = set all three axes
        accumdif = accumempty.location # start accumulated distance with a convenient 0,0,0 vector
    else:
        accumdif[0] += abs(dif[0]) # add absolute value of velocity to the accumulative distance
        accumdif[1] += abs(dif[1])
        accumdif[2] += abs(dif[2])
        accumempty.location = accumdif # move empty to this point
        accumempty.keyframe_insert(data_path='location',frame=frame,index=-1) # set keyframe. index -1 = set all three axes
        accelempty.location = dif-lastdif # acceleration = dif between this frame's velocity and the previous frame's
        accelempty.keyframe_insert(data_path='location',frame=frame-1,index=-1) # set keyframe ONE FRAME BACK. index -1 = set all three axes
    lastdif = dif

   
mark_time()

print('The keyframing took {: 5g} seconds'.format(get_last_time()))