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VJ Software / Party stuff projected on the wall :)

Ok, so I have this other topic running from about a year ago,
but by this time the title is all wrong, so I'm starting a new one

What I'd like to know is what software you use / like to project stuff on your wall

For VJ-stuff there seem to be 2 possibilities :
1) Use visualization-plugins like Milkdrop, Geiss, R4, etc.
2) Use software like Arkaos, Resolume, etc.

I started working on my own vis-software just 'cause I wanted something nice to beam on the wall at my birthday-party, *without* the need to be there all the time to make sure it looks good.

All the plugins work fine, but in the end I found 'em quite boring.
Arkaos, Resolume, VisualJockey 'n stuff are awesome, but you have to be there all the time to make sure everything is going right.

My own project is going pretty okay, at least I can leave it on, go have a drink and people won't notice the VJ isn't working
But to make it something worthwile for other people to use,
I'd like to know what kind of stuff (visuals) you like and use.
Is it just video-mixing ? Or live effects ?
Do you guys have suggestions what I should be looking at ?
What is the stuff that drives you crazy ?

In the end I'd like to have my software to be able to boost a VJ-set like for example the stuff from the Underworld DVD - "Everything Everything", only then automated - without the need for me to be there and push it

I'm really interested to find out what other people like !

Edit:
To prevent a flamewar :
No, I don't wish to replace the VJ with software.
I just want to make VJ-software that runs fine by itself on my own parties,
and for other VJ's - it can be the 5th input-channel on the video-mixer.
I don't have the illusion I could ever replace a real VJ with 'just software'!

There really isn't anything exactly automated yet. And even if there was it wouldn't be coherent with the music for many different reasons ( how does a computer translate music into a visual "vibe" )


If you really want a hands on approach it's better to do a premixed dvd with all the content



Otherwise for software I like Grid2 ( www.vdmx.net )
It's basic, it's stable, cheap and effective.


I don't like playing with effects too much as that tends to get boring quickly. Much like djing is all about picking the right track for the right moment vjing is about the right visual content for the right time as well.
Obviously a video mixer is essential.

I have many different types of visual content but my favorites remain architectural, nature ( macro photography of flowers, bees etc ) and more silent calm things in general. I would like to get into abstract 3D but I have been too lazy to learn anything from Maya or Combustion seriously enough.

What kind of content do you use/produce?




Good luck with your project, but if it's good don't let it die. There are so many other programs out there that were started but they always get stopped before all the bugs are fixed and that the first official version comes out.

quote:

Originally posted by jdat There really isn't anything exactly automated yet. And even if there was it wouldn't be coherent with the music for many different reasons ( how does a computer translate music into a visual "vibe" )

Exactly my point - the real thing always needs human interaction.
All I want from my program is to do a good job while the "real" VJ isn't there
(Or on the 5th channel of the video-mixer - to use when nothing else applies)
But - it is quite coherent due to simple analysis of the audio-signal in real-time.
It analyzes frequencies, resulting in information about bass, midtones, treble, and information about intensity-variation in the music. (Beats, breaks, tempo-changes etc.)
For most "simple" kinds of music (most electronic music ) it works amazingly well.

quote:

If you really want a hands on approach it's better to do a premixed dvd with all the content

That's exactly what I DON'T want - a premixed set that will be used again and again.

quote:

Otherwise for software I like Grid2 ( www.vdmx.net ) It's basic, it's stable, cheap and effective. I don't like playing with effects too much as that tends to get boring quickly. Much like djing is all about picking the right track for the right moment vjing is about the right visual content for the right time as well. Obviously a video mixer is essential. I have many different types of visual content but my favorites remain architectural, nature ( macro photography of flowers, bees etc ) and more silent calm things in general. I would like to get into abstract 3D but I have been too lazy to learn anything from Maya or Combustion seriously enough. What kind of content do you use/produce?

I don't produce content;
the essence of my program is that it is totally script-based;
which means users can create their own effects and transitions with scripts.

BUT - the scripts (can) use random content.
So if you connect a webcam, or dump some images in some directory,
or add som AVI's / DIVX's / WMV's or whatever,
it'll use them in the effects.

So basicly my program is nothing - it all depends on what content you put into it;
if you have 2GB of images, and a shitload of videos, it looks pretty cool though
The point is that you'll never have to decide yourself what's coming on next, you'll never have to select "this effect with that video".

quote:

Good luck with your project, but if it's good don't let it die. There are so many other programs out there that were started but they always get stopped before all the bugs are fixed and that the first official version comes out.

Well, between work & girlfriend I don't have too much time.
But the basics of the program mean it can never die - even if I stop developing it (which I'm not planning the next 10 years ) other people can keep creating scripts and adding content on their own HD
(Or exchange it on the net )

If you want to test it to see if you like it, please do, I can use the user-input/feedback
Check www.beatharness.com, I expect to put out the first "release"-version out soon, but even if I don't - contact me to get a beta-version if you'd like to help with suggestions/remarks/critics/input

Where do you guys get your images. I would be interested to know where to get these "architectural, nature ( macro photography of flowers, bees etc )" as well as similar items.

Whats the easiest method to cut out clips from movies to use?

quote:

Originally posted by FuzzyChicken Where do you guys get your images. I would be interested to know where to get these "architectural, nature ( macro photography of flowers, bees etc )" as well as similar items. Whats the easiest method to cut out clips from movies to use?

I mostly take pictures of the stuff I want to use and I build video loops with that. I've done a number of real video loops ( with a video camera ) but I don't have a high end video cam so I don't like the result.


The easiest method there really isn't one as there's tons of ways to do it. If you're going to take something off the tv then you need an acquisition card, otherwise you can cut videos out of dvds and stuff directly on your computer. That's mostly considered editing what you want to do and going on www.vcdhelp.com will help answer most questions in that arena.

welcome again Led, i hope you keep up the same synchronization standard as it was in the winamp plugin, and get doing those scripting manuals already!


and jdat, you're not in israel, and if you are... get your ass here

Beatharness rocks

We had it a UKTA Party last year, was cool

quote:

Originally posted by Psy-T and jdat, you're not in israel, and if you are... get your ass here

you will get all your answers here you shemale wuber http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...threadid=313427

quote:

Originally posted by Psy-T welcome again Led, i hope you keep up the same synchronization standard as it was in the winamp plugin, and get doing those scripting manuals already! and jdat, you're not in israel, and if you are... get your ass here

Thanks !
Synchronization has only been improved since now I have total control over everything - instead of being dependent on another app (Winamp).
The scripting manuals are another matter though, I've started on it but I found out writing a manual is much harder than writing software

Anyway, keep checking the site

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