Edge blending / masks
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You can always use a hard mask over the physical lens of the projector rather than a 'soft' mask or edge gradient filter that takes up processing power of the computer. A hard mask is simple and works like the shutter blades of theatrical lighting.
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Hello all! I'm also trying to figure this out. I've downloaded the plugin and moved it to the composition folder as described. However when I open it up in Isadora, the only options on left side of the actor are: stage, horiz. size, vert. size, and then on the right side it as image. So it looks like the photo above, but without the image input on the left. Am I missing something. Also, I have never used quartz composer, so, I am kind of at a loss if I need to edit the actual plugin. We are wanting to blend three prjector edges just like above with the ability to 3D quad distort the edges to appropriately fit the screens. I might also need some help on what that setup might entail with connections in Isadora. Anyways, any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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@skulpture
with this patch + seb QC actor, how do you parameter stages in preferences to get it splitted on 2 (or 3) projectors?
No matter if i put it on one stage or 2 (with left half / right half asked), i only have it on one projector... -
Every time when I see the complaints about the actors that were left in the release builds and then turned off I want to scream.
1\. This is extremely unprofessional to do this. If there was an actor that is working you CAN'T turn it off afterwards, as users already begun working with the the actor.2\. Leaving disabled actors within distribution is unprofessional because it is sloppy.3\. We live in the time when Isadora is supposed to fight for it existence, Touch Designer and VVVV on windows is devloping at insane rate. Max6 and Open Field on Mac are growing faster then Isadora as well.I am sorry if I have step on some one toes with my post but it is upsetting for me to see grate program, that lumbers along instead of being forerunner... -
I don't know what you mean exactly? What actors?There are the odd actors that Mark uses for his work in Troika Ranch that occasionally sneak into a build (normally a beta) but he every right to do this as he owns the software/company.I bet you every single other programmer who create video (and audio) software; such as VVVV, Touch Designer, etc have adaptations of the official public release.Or am I missing the point? Sorry if I am... -
Don't panic! (D. Adams) -
@Skulpture I understand that Mark as any artist has a right to his own work, his own coding and his own vision. The problem I have is the situation like this one, where artist start to rely on some "actor" in his work, and then the actor is turned off at the later release.
Personal work and commercial software should be kept separate. It is my opinion as a person who is financially invested in Isadora. :)We are living in dynamic time, VUO.org is getting out of beta and will be available soon, with GLSL built in, it is aimed to become replacement to quartz. Max6 has built in GEN that offers GLSL patching, and so on. I care about Isadora because I am invested in it, and because most of my older projects were done it it.Regarding VVVV, it is free for non commercial projects. Any objects in the distro work, and code is not locked down. This is their philosophy for better or worse. -
I hear you bareimage I can see how it might be considered frustrating. I am bias and I do stick up for mark just because he works so hard (i am not suggesting that you said he doesn work hard) and I guess the actor(s) sliped through and they have influenced your work and then when they disappear it has annoyed you. We all make mistakes and this could be the case here. Or A quick release (a beta?) with the odd new actor. A beta is a beta for a reason I guess. If it was a beta then perhaps it was there in purpose for a trail? I honestly don't know. I'm just purposely trying to moderate and balance the discussion. Maybe PM mark and ask if you could have the actor? He can only say no. Offer to give it a full test/trial or something? I hope you resolve this anyway :)
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I just want to echo Graham's point about betas. I have personally been bitten by changes in the beta and I can completely understand the impulse to use it in a production/non-testing environment but when we do that, we accept the associated risks. I choose to take that risk so I can access the latest feature set at any given point for my work but I also expect a host of issues because of that choice.
I can definitely empathize with the frustration around the overlaps between Mark's artistic and technical practice but I think it is crucial to keep in mind that they are fundamentally inseparable. Even though Isadora is a commercial product, it could not possibly exist without the influence and inspiration of Mark's personal use of it. While there are many ostensibly competing programs, ultimately we choose to use Isadora for a reason and for me, I think its appeal is largely a result of the real world understanding that has gone into its development. I have used and will continue to use some of the similar programs out there and I too can sometimes be frustrated by the variable rate of development progress but for a more rapid development cycle to come at the expense of Mark's ability to continue with his artistic practice would significantly diminish the very things that makes Isadora unique and worth using to begin with. -
So what Actors we are talking about?
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Dear All,
To touch on barimage's comments. I'll start with #2:
"2. Leaving disabled actors within distribution is unprofessional because it is sloppy."
On this point, you are totally correct. It is most certainly unprofessional that I included my personal actors in previous versions. I made a mistake. After this happened a couple of times, I make a script for the installers to prevent this from happening ever again.
"1. This is extremely unprofessional to do this. If there was an actor that is working you CAN'T turn it off afterwards, as users already begun working with the the actor."
I really don't believe I ever released any actors and then "turned them off." Can you be specific about which actors you're talking about.
"3. We live in the time when Isadora is supposed to fight for it existence, Touch Designer and VVVV on windows is devloping at insane rate. Max6 and Open Field on Mac are growing faster then Isadora as well."
I am fully aware that Isadora's development is lagging a bit. As many of you know, I refuse to give up my career as an artist. But that means I am, for better or worse, everything: developer, tech support, forum-question-answerer, etc., etc. For instance, right now, I've just started an artistic residency in Switzerland for five weeks. That means at least 12 hour+ work days for me, as I'll handle the Isadora stuff (just as I am doing now) in the morning, and move to art making in the afternoon.
But, I also see that this doesn't really matter if you're a user who paid good money for the program and it's not doing what you want. That's fair enough. And it sounds like some of the other environments out there are more appealing to you. So, if you feel that the software isn't up to snuff, then I would be happy to refund your purchase. Just let me know and I'll make it happen.
Sincerely,
Mark
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Just to get back on topic.
A cheap and quick and easy to use software that supports Syphon. So you could do all your work in isadora and then do the tricky edge blending in Blendy. I have not used it myself but heard it reliable. However this is a $33 product it wont do crazy edge blends, domes, etc.http://www.blendy.in/ -
Hi,
Still completely lost with regards to edge blending two projectors within Isadora on a Mac Pro with 8 video outputs. I need to blend two pairs onto two different surfaces. Now it appears I must dive into installing and learning something called quartz composer which may or may not enable me to edge blend two projectors.
Has anyone used Blendy VJ with Isadora? What is Syphon, or more specifically does Isadora use Syphon in a way that will allow the combination of Isadora, Blendy and Madmapper to edge blend two projectors? Blendy itself is called alpha-release so I wonder how different that is from the Isadora SEB actors that are not for public use.
The algorithm used has the familiar name of Paul Bourke.
I would pay for a patch that would make it possible for me to edge blend two projectors without 100 hours of self-taught/web-based training in QC.
Of course I will be a better person if I do it myself, so thats what I'll do, though it is not my first choice. Look for my YouTube edge-blending tutorial for Isadora morons in under 36 months, getting the show that opens in March working is a different challenge.
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I haven't tried Syphon+blendy - but this year there are more than a few shows wanting to edge blend 2-4 projectors and onto curved/funny surfaces. I fully intend to continue using Isadora as primary software and purchasing licenses for those show computers, thats not to say that in software edge blending would be a relief on my sleep hour count.
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I know its frustrating but you are trying to do something quite complicated (I think) because we are trying to in essence alter the light to match another light but the light source is always changing/moving because its video.To answer some questions briefly...**"quartz composer which may or may not enable me to edge blend two projectors."**^ Quartz can do this but yes it requires custom plugins and the software/environment is a 'developer tool' so indeed its not always 100% perfect.**"Has anyone used Blendy VJ with Isadora?"**^ I haven't but I am confident it will work using syphon....**"What is Syphon, or more specifically does Isadora use Syphon in a way that will allow the combination of Isadora, Blendy and Madmapper to edge blend two projectors?"**^ Syphon is like internal MIDI or internal OSC. It allows software to send video from one output into another software. It basically 'guides' the video from inside the coding of the machine. However the softwares in question have to accept Syphon meaning the people/person who created it need to allow it. Isadora does via Quartz Composer. This version of Isadora is called IsadoraCore and is a $20 dollar upgrade.This will allow you to use madmapper also yes.**"I wonder how different that is [blendy] from the Isadora SEB actors that are not for public use."**^I and many other have had this working as you can see from images above from a while back. But it seems due to OS upgrades; snow leopard, lion, mountain lion, etc) that now it needs revamping. Again this is just because it is a developer tool and the SEB actors where probably created for a once off, shared online but not kept upto date (by any of us)... hope that makes sense?**"Of course I will be a better person if I do it myself, so thats what I'll do, though it is not my first choice. Look for my YouTube edge-blending tutorial for Isadora morons in under 36 months, getting the show that opens in March working is a different challenge."**^ Of course it would be better to learn and explore all the other tools and pathways but I understand time is not exactly on your side. You are approaching this the best way by looking at all the avenues available to you. If it was me and you think you are running out of time I would get Isadora Core. Download Syphon for free and try the demo of blendy. If it works; buy it. Job done. -
HOWEVER:- you will still need to experiment and learn blendy a little bit. (Same with madmapper actually)- you will still need to install the Syphon Quartz Stuff which we/I can help you with.Hope this helps you. There are other users here with LOTS more experience than me so I am sure as this thread continues more help will arrive.Graham :) -
edge-blending no reasonable results (missing overlap) inputs, position,
thanks for sharing :)
best bts
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Ok,
Would anyone recommend a book other than-
Learning Quartz Composer: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Motion Graphics with Quartz Composer ?
We already have Izzy core, it's the learnin of it that's the issue.
Skulpture> At least you're confident, somehow that makes me feel better.
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Hello everybody, I haven't had the chance to test it with 2 projectors but it should work, not on monitors, blend value 2, gamma to value 1, I recommend usage with (get image size actor), have fun:) let me know if usable.
bts
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Strange I can't open this @bildtonspontan, I wonder why.....
> (null)NSPropertyListSerialization failed with error: "Unexpected character P at line 1"
