Intensive, 6-hour long, advanced workshop that introduces participants to geometry shaders in order to have a maximum of points with optimal performance, as well as to workflows based on image & TOP.
This advanced TouchDesigner workshop of 6 hours will delve into the world of geometry shaders. Tapping into the power of geometry shaders for generating dynamic geometries, participants will learn how to maximize the amount of points that can be visualized in real time, while making it possible to parameter the nature of these geometries and record them by using TOP control textures. Using shaders enables all the processing to be done on the GPU without any of the CPU constraints traditionally dictated by SOP.
ABOUT TOUCHDESIGNER :
Created by the Toronto-based Derivative, TouchDesigner is a platform for the development of generative, interactive, programmed and performative visuals. Offering tools for creating interactive media systems, architectural projection mapping, live visuals for music, or still simply quick prototypes for creative projects, TouchDesigner’s versatility and its active user community have made it one of the most used software for creating digital, interactive, performative or media art, by independent artists as well as by companies creating large scale productions such as Moment Factory or nVoid.
At the SAT, TouchDesigner has been used to create performances such as ObE, Dromos, Entropia or Créatures.
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES & COURSE CONTENT
Show a maximum of points with optimal performance ;
Learn a workflow based on image + TOP ;
Save animated point clouds as video ;
Generate geometries on the fly directly from the GPU, from point clouds : lines, triangles, cubes and their variations ;
Discover illustrations and examples using a Kinect ;
Saving a SOP animation as video and using playback on the GPU ;
Rendering acceleration ;
Sorting on the GPU and application for plexus-like effects ;
Generating oriented sprites and textures on the GPU.
INSTRUCTOR
QUENTIN BLETON
He is a solutions architect at Moment Factory, and responsible of the different research and development projects, as well as of the development of the X-Agora platform. After working as main programmer on the Nine Inch Nails – Lights In The Sky project, and the Sagrada Familia show, notably, he developed an expertise in the field of 3D programing and video mapping.
Computer* (Windows 7 SP1 and up; macOS 10.11 and up) with an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card and TouchDesigner 099 installed (version 2018.23440; free on Derivative’s website) – please check the system requirements to make sure your computer can run the software ;
Developer-friendly keyboard with access to keys { [ # / ;
A 3-button mouse (2 buttons and 1 scroll wheel) ;
A USB thumb drive.
*a laptop is strongly suggested as space is limited; please keep screen size and desktop size to a minimum if you only have access to a desktop computer to be respectful to other participants and so that all can see the instructor and class screen clearly.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the required material.
PREREQUISITES
Basic knowledge of geometry as applied to games : normals, texture coordinates, vectors, dot products, cross products* ;
Have experience playing with shaders in TouchDesigner ;
Be comfortable with editing GLSL and Python code in TouchDesigner ;
Be comfortable with the general use of TouchDesigner (practical understanding equivalent to at least our intermediate workshop).
Language of instruction : English* Instructor : Quentin Bleton Training type : Hands-on workshop Registration deadline :
*The instructor is bilingual and can answer questions asked in French.
Workshop fees
Standard rate : 240.00 $ (tax not applicable)
Artist* or student** : 210.00 $ (tax not applicable)
Web service fees applicable for online transactions.
* For the “artist” rate, please send us a link to your portfolio or artist cv before registering; we will send you a promo code that you can then apply to your workshop fees.
** For the “student” rate, please show a valid student ID at the first session of the workshop or send us a digital version by email after registering.
You can register for workshops online anytime, or at the SAT box office one hour before events. The box office is also open from 5 PM to 8 PM on days during which immersive shows are presented in the Satosphere.
Our team will send you all additional useful information by email with your registration confirmation.