GabrielMathews.com | Biological Log

Well I am now able to plot the points through the Z axis! Sweet.

Some may argue that the points are too erratic to be used, however, this is nothing that I can’t take care of in Rhino with a Scale1D function. Alls good.

So now all that is left is to get the current frame and all those preceding to export into the DXF file. For some reason I have a hunch it has to do with the background() call and where it is located in the script. I messed with the colors so you can see depth a bit. I really would love it if the spectrum dictated the stroke color as it gets higher, but one thing at a time.

Next up is the frame export, but beyond that, I’d also really like to know how to create the surface w/in the processing environment all at one. hmmm…suggestions?

The only bad part is now I am obsessing about code. Really interesting possibilities. I tweeted(@sirgabe)  today about a person(s) that is selling laser cut jewelry that is generated dynamically through a processing function. Really pretty stuff. You can see it here.

~G

Great deal of progress today.

Finally was able to figure out how to take the audio data and create a single “frame” of DXF export data.

A-Input data through line in (Speaker to mic for this example).

B-Processing sketch analysis of data. Press R to record a dxf of the current frame.

C-Imported frame in E-Drawings.

Next steps:

-Compile the stream and record as one constant DXF file. (I was able to set it to record a DXF for as long as my ‘R’ key was pressed, but it was in the format of ‘Output-###.dxf’ and wound up giving me hundred of dxf files for either frame. I suppose I could import each frame to Rhino using the import function, but it would take forever considering the amount of data this stream generates.

I’d like to limit the sample to around 10 fps as any bigger than that will generate a hell of a large mesh.

-With each step, I need to create a Z++ type step so the next frame is created on the z=0 frame and the previous step back in space +1. I have no idea how to start that. but I’m sure I can figure it out.

-One other thing I’d like to do is be able to reverse the export as when I export the data out, it flips on the x-axis. Small detail. I tried giving -negative values to the input code, but that just wound up giving me faulty INT data.

Not bad for around only 8 hours of learning!

When this is done I will be sure to post a link to the exe file.

~G

Program functionality exploration 2

Another illustration showing my thoughts on how the program would extrapolate a surface from the audio data.

1-Program records and plots coordinates from the audio.

2.The equalizer dictates the ‘x’ point count and the the time resolution (say 1 sample per second, per 1/10th of a second, per 1/100th of a second dictates the ‘y’ point resolution.

3. Curves are extrapolated from the point data and a degree curve is followed. In this case, the input value was a 3 degree curve. I think a value of 2 would perform a little more stiff and accurate.

4. The curves are lofted in the direction of the generation. (first to last);which is also dictated by time the sample was taken.

5. At this point the surface is ready to be exported and manipulated. Preferably as a STEP, IGES, or OBJ. Even though a point cloud would be best, I’d like the program to have the function to be able to export.

6. I created a 20 x 20 point array on the surface and offset another using the _ptGridSurfaceUV command and _ptOffsetPoints command.

7. Just for concept illustration sake, I then created a Pyramid1 paneling just to show how such a seemingly arbitrary surface could be used for architecture.

*Note-The song I sampled for this was The Last Man from The Fountain score.

Clint Mansell, you hold a special place in my heart.