Collanews Aggregator VJ » MadMapper

The above photo was posted on our Facebook page a few days ago. One of the comments to accompany the post was a disbelief that MadMapper could be involved in such a large scale project. What this person did not know was that I had an article scheduled for this week containing text from the persons involved that explained the project in detail. The following was written by based Rafael Pereyra of Visual Lab and Luis Barrera of Anatomico with some slight corrections and editing by me.

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MadMapper, Who said protection mapping only?

One of the most common issues with vjing in a large video workspace is the arrangement and optimization of the video signal outputs for LED processors.

If you use a Mac Pro you can maybe have a chance to manage the output video signals because of the multi output feature and Modul8. But you must map each output to fit the desired pixel space in your composition. Large stages require more than an single 4:3 or 16:9 composition, sometimes they require 9:1 or some kind of custom pixel space, mixing more than 2 layers of video along with some cameras, that increases the CPU and GPU usage, compromising your performance.

One great solution we experienced two weeks ago at Viña del Mar Festival. The festival is one of the most important music shows in Latin America, and we used of MadMapper. The show was in charge on MADIS (www.madis.cl), the most experienced stage designing company in Chile, working with Visualists Anatomico and Ju Quezada (www.anatomico.cl).

The festival holds more than 700 m2 of LED panels, 8 LED Processors, 2 Hi End Catalysts systems, a Mac Pro running Modul8 and MadMapper, a incredible render farm of 6 machines rendering a pixel space of 9000 x 1000 in realtime at 60fps, rendering algorithmic visuals programmed by a software called MAMBO made by Proyecto LED from Chile. The experience with MAMBO was awesome, managing a huge pixel space in realtime. Everything was controlled with 2 Lemurs and 1 iPad running the Lemur software.

All this video converged onto a Vista Spider System with 8 by 8 SDI inputs and outputs. One of the big challenges of the show was to convert the huge LED pixel space in one single SDI video signal for all the LED Processors, reducing use of simultaneous outputs for the LED processors. It was a huge remap made by software.

All this video converged onto a Vista Spider System with 8 by 8 SDI inputs and outputs. One of the big challenges of the show was to convert the huge LED pixel space in one single SDI video signal for all the LED Processors, reducing use of simultaneous outputs for the LED processors.

So, what does all this mean? Perhaps these images will provide a better illustration of what was achieved.

And now here is the schematic view of the LED arrangement of the Backdrop.
It is very important to respect the space between LED modules and the gap.

The following graphic illustrates how the gap works in relation to the Modul8 output:

This is what is displayed without the gap:

With gap you can tell the difference, the separation between modules is respected by the software arrangement. So it look natural respecting the spaces and gaps.

We had the change how we used the software for Morrisey´s show and remap a virtual pixelspace in Modul8 using a Syphon output of 9000 by 1000 pixels and remap it to a single SDI output of Full HD with MadMapper. The technical crew was amazed how easy and quick it was for us to do the setup. We used more than 400 quads.

Here is a schematic view:

And another screenshot with the MadMapper interface with both the input and preview windows:

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This is not the only instance where our software has been part of a much larger workflow. Modul8 has been known to partake in very large festival setups and live broadcast environments. When you have such highly complex setups, it’s nice to have one or two things be simple.

I am very pleased to announce that Live Design has selected MadMapper for their product of the year award.

MadMapper, right there in the same list with the big guns: Advantage LED Solutions, BARCO and Christie. And I can now include ‘Award winning’ in promotional copy.

Since her involvement with the Space Invader project, Laura Ramirez continues to explore new ideas in connection with video projection enhanced art. In the video above she demonstrates the mapping process using what looks to me like an Archigram inspired landscape as part of a proposal for a mural by Jessica Angel.

Another MadMapping workshop sprouts out from the field of festivals. This time I am heading north at the invitation of the Art.on.wires festival in Oslo, Norway.

DATES: May 1st – May 2nd 2012
HOURS: 15 – 19h, both days

YOU MUST REGISTER.

See you there!

Mr. Tardy remains one of the few artist working in this medium that almost always leaves me breathless when he designs an installation for a performance. I could surmise that the reason for this is because he always starts with an underlying concept that dictates the form and the resulting projection material, creating a truly unified experience. But I could also come to the conclusion that he just has that special touch that is distinctly Romain Tardy and that the former formula only works magic when he utilizes it.

Due to his using MadMapper on this project he was kind enough to let me be the first to post it this video.

This project is the result of a “new collaboration with my friend Squeaky Lobster. Pieces is a work in progress made of 5 steps, and the structure will change for each new step, but will be built with the same square modules. Each step will be shown only a couple of times to keep this idea of a “versatile” project (sounds a bit strange in french – as it may sound in english as well – but I like the idea of an “unstable” shape/structure).”

Scott Fitzgerald likes to control lights. Not content with anything conventional he has lately been combining mapping projections with fluorescent lighting.

Scott explains:

“… the piece was a study on using lighting that was both coming from a source, and falling on the source. The physical structure is an abstracted topographic map of Mount Greylock in Adams, MA, the highest point in the state.

The video content was rendered in after effects as a combination of bold, pixelated colors, particle systems, and silhouettes. I used Max/MSP/Jitter as a playback tool, mixing the videos while doing some subtle changes (hue, frame blending) to each piece, so it was a constantly evolving work. The lights were controlled with an Arduino and 8 relays. There was a nasty mess of wiring involved, the lights are suspended 4-6metres off the ground, and the wires run to an air duct where the ballasts are located, about 5 meters away. It’s another 5m to the computer/projector/microcontroller.

I used MadMapper to texture the lights with the video content from Max via Syphon. The most time intensive tasks were renderingt he video, and hanging/wiring the light. Once the physical install was ready, It took minutes with MadMapper to get the video aligned the way I wanted.”

In other words, MadMapper allowed him to focus most of his time on the more complicated aspects of the installation.

Scott considers this the ‘sketch’ version of the installation. Fortunately for all of us he has another opportunity in the future to fulfill his vision in the near future.

It’s up and ready to go, for all to read. The program for the 8th edition of the Mapping Festival has been posted to the Mapping Festival website. Probably of paramount importance on this blog is that there will be a MadMapping workshop during the festival. I know for sure that it will not be me because I will be flying down to the Athens Video Art Festival to conduct a MadMapping workshop there. Solid information about that pending as well. We’ll have it up for sure at least a month prior to the date.

Re: the design of these festivals, it seems that white on black is the new… black?

If you can swing going to Geneva for the workshop you will also get to see some very fine installations. I think Joanie Lemercier’s (AntiVJ/FR) Eyjafjallajokull will be an incredibly nice piece of inspiration to go hand in hand with a workshop. And if the dates match up and you are a live drawing freak, the TagTool workshop is also something that would be high on my list if I were there.

I actually will be at the festival in the very beginning for the Secret Release party. But being that it is a secret I have already written too much.

I think I have may posted way too much of the Chilean based, Vertx families work on this blog. But I really cannot help it because they continue to make work that inspires me.
Within the past three days they managed to do this twice with the videos above and below. The piece above appears to be a purely experimental endeavor, cybernating some faces with geometric, multi-colored skulls.

This one is actually an extension of a video they posted earlier called Galaxia and also harkens back to one of their first posts, the multi-eyeballed Spiral Vortx.

fRED and I will be conducting a video mapping workshop at Panke, from April 11th through the 12th, 2012. This two day workshop will focus on preparing content for mapping and mapping the content to physical surfaces.

The workshop will conclude with the participants collaborating on an installation in the cafe of Panke and performing with it in a lounge like atmosphere that will be open to the public, accompanied by special guest DJ Mo Greens.

The location for the workshop is called Panke, a creative hub in the heart of Wedding that presents music, art and other artistic endeavors.

Registration is limited to 20 persons. The deadline for registration is April 3rd or if
20 persons register prior to that deadline.

Workshop schedule:

Day 1
- Introduction to MadMapper
- Using MadMapper in conjunction with other VJ applications
- Practice session
- Discussion on the activity for the following day

Day 2
- Content creation for an installation
- Summary of activities
- Party

Pre-requisits:

- Mac OS X based computer running 10.6 or greater
- DVI or MiniDVI adapter that allows you to connect your computer to a projector
- Working knowledge of graphics and video creation software
- Working knowledge of VJ software

Registration:

ALL PLACES FULL. The registration is now closed.

Workshop fee:

The fee for the workshop is 60 euros and must be paid in full prior to your arrival. After completeing your registration you will receive an invoice via the GarageCUBE PayPal account.

The fee allows us to cover the expense of the space, projectors and installation materials.

When the payment is processed you will receive further information about the workshop as well as a temporary serial number and access to ‘yourspace’ that will allow you to download the software. You will be able to use the software for 30 days after the last day of the workshop.

All participants are eligible for purchasing Modul8 and MadMapper at a discounted price.

Please note:

- Registration is limited to 20 persons and the deadline is April 3rd. We cannot accept more then 20 persons and registration will be closed after April 3rd even if we do not have 20 persons.

- This is a mapping workshop. If you do not have any experience using any VJ software we will only be able to provide limited instructions on the use of these tools.

- You are encouraged to bring a MIDI controller if you have one.

- Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the location of the workshop.

- You are required to arrange you own travel and accommodations.

Mapping. It’s more then just learning software.

Doing successful mapping projects is not just about learning software. There are many other aspects to consider, such as sculpture, spacial relationships, color and composition. We hope to share with you some of ideas and experiences so you can gain a deeper understanding of the process of video mapping.

We have also noticed that most successful mapping projects are a result of collaborations. The forming of collaborations comes about through communities and people working together. We hope that you will not only learn new skills, but that each and every one of you will also get to know one another for possible future collaborations.

Best regards,
Ilan and fRED