Video Synthesizer

 
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ColorCube.avs2.6K4/19/20098:57:30 AM
colorcube.vbs1.5K4/19/20098:57:07 AM
Oscilator001.avs2.0K4/19/20098:57:31 AM
Oscilator002.avs1.3K4/19/20098:57:31 AM
Oscillator003.avs1.8K4/19/20098:57:32 AM
Oscillator004.avs1.2K4/19/20098:57:32 AM
oscillator1.vbs3.6K4/19/20098:56:46 AM
oscillator3.vbs4.6K4/19/20098:56:54 AM
oscillator4.vbs4.9K4/19/20098:56:39 AM
VideoSynthesizer1.wmv20,654.6K4/19/20093:22:43 PM

I'm working on creating something that I'll call a Video Synthesizer. Like a synthesizer, I use oscillators and filters and the like to create patches. The difference is instead of using the oscillators to affect audio waveforms, I'm applying those techniques with color. This is my first go at creating some patches and is intended as a proof of concept.

In some of these examples, I'm simply applying oscillators to the colors themselves. In others, I have applied oscillators to the functions as well, such as rotating the image coordinates. I'll be digging that linear algebra text book out to create additional interesting transformations.

The WMV file below is composed of clips sequenced by AVIsynth. They were edited together, titled and exported to a more web-friendly WMV format using Premier. The source images were generated from VBScript with a little COM graphics tool called ASPpicture. I'm in the process of converting this to a more robust VB.Net application for future development. The AVS (AVIsynth) scripts and VBScript source is included for anyone interested. The code quality is of pre-alpha MadScientist-grade and in no way ready for prime-time. The clips are not in the order specified in the scripts.

Description of the clips:

  • Clip 1: through the color cube from the Cyan/Yellow face to the Blue/Green face
  • Clip 2: through the color cube from the Blue/Red face to the Cyan/Yellow face
  • Clip 3: an oscillating color pattern based on R/G sine waves with Blue sine wave function as a modulator
  • Clip 4: same basic function from a different zoom
  • Clip 5: green oscillates over time, keying off red and blue values to create an interesting effect
  • Clip 6: using red as the primary color and modulating blue and green over time to create alternating purplish and yellowish casts. A little polar coordinate math to draw shaded circles. I also applied a custom bevel convolution to give a slight 3d effect and reduce aliasing effects.
  • Clip 7: Simple rotation, static colors.
  • Clip 8: Basically the same as clip 7 from a different zoom and with a color oscillator.
  • Clip 9: Rotating bar pattern. This is a bit of an optical illusion, the "wagon wheel" effect you will see on TV where a wheel appears to be spinning backwards because of the video frame rate. Essentially, using aliasing to my advantage. The dual nature of the clip is the result of running the function twice, generating 128 frames. Then I reran the first 64 frames at double speed. So, halfway through it switches speed to the non-aliasing slower version.
  • Clip 10: Rotation of two overlayed functions, one in red and one in green
  • Clip 11: Oscillating some of the red function from clip 10 into view (now in blue) in combination with a different red/green function.
  • Clip 12: Rotation of a Blue function with some oscillating dimming of the colors.