*My horrible video of Pamela Z explaining about "Timbre" in sound.*
Approach:
This week I was involved in the creation of different assets for Human Tech at ACCAD. It involved creating and utilizing humane technologies. In the definition of this term, it states that the technology it involves is safe for everyone to try and experience using; I can attest that this is true for the most part. Some of the tech that could be used by the students and faculty were almost too complex for one to fully understand the initial uses and boundaries of what was being showcased, or the exact opposite to get anywhere at all. Pamela Z was a visiting person of interest this week, and she showcased her MIDI Ultrasound 'theremin-like' musically astounding pieces. Alan Price and Matt Lewis showed off a robot "pet" that vibrates and moves based on touch and can be controlled using set-driven keys in Maya, and then sending that information over to Unity for further experimentation and key-frame animation. They also utilized a MEL-script for Maya that allowed for the creation of 3D-printed Zoetropes. These Zoetropes would then be placed under a strobe light; and depending on the frame rate of the animation and the print, the strobe could be adjusted to either match and create an optical illusion of the animation playing, or the illusion that it was playing in reverse. It usually worked better when it was in the dark, making the exaggeration of deliberate strobe-light along with the spinning print easier to see. The animation itself could range anywhere from 2-30 frames. Most students stuck with 30, as it allowed for more time to see the animation play out, and extra key-frames for a clearer sense of motion. The script would place the animated object around the platform on the bottom, and would allow for changes if necessary. Some prints came out okay, others were a little hard to manage, as they were too small to print, or you couldn't necessarily see what was happening without a magnifying glass (as they were smaller than the palm of a hand). The software used was CURA for the Ultimaker 3D printer, and Maya OBJ's were exported and imported into the CURA software.
*[Left] A reference example of the 3D-printed Zoetrope. [Right] A video of Pamela Z performing.*
*Similar instances occurring during Human Tech week at ACCAD.*
Choices Made:
While most of this was going on, I was also assigned with the task of creating another proposal. This one is for the last 6 weeks of the semester, and requires us to either continue forward with an existing project, or stop and create a new project outline for ourselves. I have ultimately decided to continue with this project, as when discussing with Maria Palazzi about the possibility of where my idea should be going she mentioned to not worry about others being responsive to your ideas. Sometimes it is better to ask your own questions to them in order to drive the conversation to a point that you know is going to be beneficial to yourself and your work. It will also give me a good chance to go back and assess my notes in greater detail and give me a chance to create more in Maya and After Effects, as well as merge the two. We also had a choice to pick between doing assignments for Alan's Humane Tech projects for the week. Or to do collaborative work and create storyboards for the Theatre team. I felt like I had enough experience creating storyboards for other people and for myself, that I would tackle something more technical but also related to my area of study in experimental animation. At first I printed a model that didn't look anything like I had thought it would, this is because it was too small for the first print, and didn't hold up well with the plastic. It was streaking across the small structures, and when attempting to cut off the small fissures, it would break the model in two. When looking back at Alan's original model, (as seen on the top of the tower of models), the pieces are touching each other and are combined to give a better area to print. In the videos below, you'll see the rotation of the pieces and the possible prints I wanted to try out. I only decided to do the initial design (the ball with the cylinder with spaces between it) and the final one (undulating cylinder). The final design allowed for a smooth print along with the ability to more easily adjust what I wanted they cylinder to animate.
*[Left] The different Zoetropes I attempted. [Right] The somewhat funny combination of all my Zoetrope attempts.*
*[Left] My first attempt at 3D printing the Zoetrope. [Right] My second attempt at the Zoetrope.*
*[Left] 3D-printed Zoetropes from Alan Price, Bruce Evans, and myself. [Right] My 3D-printed Zoetrope.*
During the week we also had a visitor from the University of South California (USC) who was showcasing her work from being a professor there. She had many aspects of virtual reality healing and gaming, but also a good degree of experimentation of getting disabled people to utilize technology in gaming as a healing medium to either their physical therapy or mental state.
I unfortunately didn't have enough time to get to speak with her about this quote that I took a picture of. I think that it would relate back to my current philosophical research work and getting my audience to interact with what I am presenting them. Human tech week definitely got me thinking outside of my comfort zone, but not too much that I didn't feel especially apprehensive to do the projects. I think that is the main point that they were trying to explain to others; humane tech is tech for anyone to experience and experiment with.
Relevant Sources:
This week I researched some different tutorials that would be useful in the creation of the animated short at hand. I think the curve tools are something I would like to investigate further and their usefulness towards creating assets more effectively in the long run.
*[Left] Using the curve tools as a creation tool. [Right] Using the new MASH tab for creation along curve tool paths.*
Questions Raised & Needs:
This week I plan on taking my animation skills further, and relaxing a little more. It's spring break, and it is well deserved! I hope everyone else has a good spring break as well. I do not have any plans, so the plan is to create and have some free time to explore my creative output in Maya and how I am going to incorporate the findings of the week into my animation. I assume having some sort or relocatable aspect of Human Tech week would be necessary to include in this animation. It seems like the right thing to do, but to also consider when asking more metaphorical questions to an audience. As for the week, I enjoyed all of the different events, and expect to upload some different photos of the Zoetropes I printed, as well as the other attempts from different classmates. -Taylor Olsen Comments are closed.
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