The classic zooming feedback effect
One of the classic analog techniques for creating amazing visuals was to create video feedback loops. In previous tutorials we have covered the basic idea of how to reproduce this idea within VDMX by using groups and layer taps. In this lesson we'll look at how to take this idea to the next level by introducing composition with alpha channels and masking.
Read MoreLa compositions de calques qui couvre les modes d’opacité et de fusion et Appliquer un masque sur un calque.
Read MoreFor this guest tutorial we're joined by Gabe Shaughnessy of Lumenal Code for an in depth look at how to create a well executed one off event video event that involves substantial preproduction from storyboarding, to animation and fabrication, and final live performance:
“Red Bull Mural is a project that pairs an athlete with an artist in a unique collaboration. Red Bull asked New Creatures to create a psychedelic, immersive experience for pro golfer Rickie Fowler in Washington, DC’s historic Uline Arena. New Creatures asked Lumenal Code to provide a story, artwork, and animations, and then to create the interactive projection mapped targets and operate them during the event. ”
Read MoreWhen compositing layers of video together in VDMX or another VJ application, one of the standard techniques for combining images is the use of “masking images” which black out parts of an image by setting its transparency (alpha channel) to less than 1.0, allowing it to in front of content behind it instead of simply blending the two together.
This template is a variation on the technique described in the four channel mixer example in which we have two groups of layers (left and right bus) set up making it possible to preview and transition between mixes on the fly. Here the idea is similar, but instead of two mixes that use separate sets of clips, in this template each bus shares the same set of four clips, each with different controls for layer opacity, FX and blend modes. For an added twist, the four source for this template is used as a mask overlay for each bus that can be used in a variety of ways to combine the two separate mixes together in the main output.
In this video tutorial we quickly go through the design of this template and how it can be used to mix two movie clips along with an audio reactive or LFO driven Quartz Composer composition as an overlay or mask.
Read MoreWhile VDMX itself is an application for creating real-time visuals, eventually most VJs and other visual artists have some use for other types of video software such as non-linear editors (iMovie, FCP, Premiere) or motion graphics generators (Motion, After Effects) to create pre-made footage to use during performance.
In this tutorial we look at exporting movies from Apple Motion to use in VDMX and including the alpha channel by using the 'Hap Alpha' codec. The same basic idea can be used with other motion graphics software such as Adobe After Effects.
Read MoreHap is a new video codec for Mac OS X that performs image decompression on a computer's video card, substantially reducing the CPU usage necessary to play back a movie- this is useful in situations where CPU power is a limiting factor, such as when working with high resolution movies.
In this tutorial we'll look at when it is appropriate to use Hap encoded files and how to convert movie files using the free Vidvox batch exporter utility, or your other favorite QuickTime enabled applications.
Read MoreChroma Keying is an image effects technique for compositing multiple video streams on top of each by applying a hue based masked to the foreground images. Commonly a blue or green screen is used in production for these purposes.
Within VDMX, using the 'Chroma Mask' FX on a layer will create a color-based mask that is applied within the FX-chain. Pixels in the input that are within the tolerance range are set to become transparent through the usage of alpha channels.
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