Euphörium - Dome

Euphörium nominated at the Europrix '08!

2008-09-22T11:51:00.008+01:00

I am delighted to announce that Euphörium has been nominated for an award at the prestigious Europrix Top Talent Awards 2008. Out of 338 entries from 28 countries evaluated by the jury team of the EUROPRIX Multimedia Awards, Euphörium has been chosen to be one of the 23 best!

This secures us:

An invitation to the Europrix Multimedia Festival from November 27 - 29, 2008 in Graz, Austria courtesy of Europrix, a presentation of Euphörium in the Europrix yearbook, a presentation of Euphörium in a special exhibition at the Technical Museum in Vienna and a sustained showcasing and promotion of the project in 2008 and 2009 all around Europe (the Europrix Roadshow).

So, thanks again to everyone for your help and support throughout this project.

Wish us luck in Graz!

Síle, Stephen & Philly.

Euphörium - Video Presentation

2008-06-11T11:13:00.002+01:00

A 7 minute DVD presentation giving a insight in to the development, design and production of Euphorium.

User Testing

2008-04-17T16:25:00.004+01:00

A big thanks to all those who took part in Euphörium's user testing which took place on 16th April.

All the feedback we collected has proven to be an invaluable contribution to the project, so thanks again to all those who took the time out to come down, helping us to make Euphörium better.

Euphörium welcomes Nomad on board

2008-03-31T14:10:00.002+01:00

Nomad is an innovative design company in the UK who have kindly teamed up with Euphörium in making our vision possible through sponsorship.

"We offer a full range of design services from interiors to graphics and we have particular expertise in public sector projects that comprise a number of functions. Our philosophy places people at the heart of the design experience." Nomad.

www.Nomad-rdc.com

Thanks to Woodies DIY

2008-03-31T14:04:00.006+01:00

Many thanks to Woodies DIY, Glasnevin who kindly sponsored the materials need to construct the dome framework, further aiding in making Euphörium a reality not just our vision.

Energy Mass VVVV

2008-03-13T15:39:00.000Z

Wireframe ball connections with audio

2008-03-12T18:32:00.001Z

Creating a flow of information between objects - VVVV

2008-03-12T14:47:00.007Z

Creating a flow of information between objects, both aurally and visually in VVVV using mtion tracking to allow users to select and join objects to create dynamic, audio compositions/sound scapes unique to the individual user.

3d headtracking

2008-03-03T09:40:00.005Z

3d headtracking

Using face tracking to create 3D perspective, to add realism and further immerse the user in the interactive experience. The user can look up, down and side to side to increase their visual as the camera angle orbits the objects.

Sourcing Equipment

2008-02-27T15:41:00.004Z

This week we have been continuing with experimentation in VVVV which we will conclude by the end of the week, before moving into concrete production next week.

We have also spent a lot of time sourcing equipment from material, framework and the mirror for the Dome, as well as cameras, PC's and other equipment we need to run the installation.

Sponsorship's have been going well, with many reputable companies expressing serious interest.

We have secured two venues to exhibit Euphorium in April/May, with the potential of a number of other promising venues too, as well as plans to take part in a number of high profile competitions around Europe.

Infrared Lighting

2008-02-13T18:08:00.004Z

Flooding a completely dark room with infrared lighting using red and blue gels over a standard light. Then capturing it on a webcam that has been taken apart and the infrared filter removed.

Fluid Motion Tracking

2008-02-12T22:47:00.002Z

Dynamic audio and visuals using motion tracking.

Early Stage Integration

2008-02-11T18:28:00.000Z

Today is the first day we have properly began integrating audio, visuals and motion detection. While it is still very early days we are starting to get a good idea of how well elements will work in conjunction with each other.

Using VVVV we are still experimenting with interactive elements such as avoidance (seen above) and other 2D elements, which hopefully we will eventually apply to 3D graphics.

Stephen has continued refining and isolating the highest point of movement, but lighting conditions change so frequently we have concluded that not much more refining can take place until we begin working in the controlled environment using infrared lighting.

Today was exciting as audio and visuals were combined for the first time. It's a work in progress but it's still a little closer to our vision.

Heightened Sense of Immersion

2008-02-07T14:39:00.001Z

Many installations/interactive environments create a higher sense of immersion, making the user feel part of the environment, by projecting elements onto a surface individually, rather than with a black/coloured background (i.e. rather than projecting a ready made environment onto a surface) which can elicit the feeling of detachment by just viewing a screen.

The Lightwave Festival - Dublin

2008-02-07T14:09:00.001Z

This week Dublin hosted the Lightwave Festival in various locations around the city. We went in to the new Science Museum in Trinity college, which had a couple of interesting installations such as Pong and another that used light as a drawing tool.

The most relevant installation in relation to what we are trying to achieve was an installation by KMA at The Hive, Grand Canal Square. Above are some images:

YouTube Channel

2008-02-07T12:48:00.000Z

We set up a YouTube Channel where we'll be uploading all of our Work-in-Progress Videos.

You can find the channel here: http://www.youtube.com/Euphoriumdome

Subscribe to us or visit here to stay updated.

Motion Detection Boxing

2008-02-06T15:10:00.001Z

Motion Tracking

2008-02-06T14:02:00.001Z

Design Structure

2008-02-04T12:16:00.000Z

We have devised that by using two axis (x,y) to manipulate visuals and audio we can create a cube structure comprised of 16x16 cells.

By isolating the individual cells we can determine the amount of activity/movement in any given cell by incoming values, and in turn manipulate various elements.

Production Areas

2008-01-30T12:14:00.000Z

This week we will progress with the following:
Stephen continued development of motion detection in VVVV.
Philly focused on audio (creating dynamic sounds) in Max/Live.
Sile worked on bringing wireframes into VVVV/C4D.
Kieran worked on image manipulation in VVVV.

Early Stage Production & Research

2008-01-30T12:02:00.000Z

Face Tracking Break Through

2008-01-29T12:01:00.000Z

Major development - got face tracking working in VVVV (yey! Stephen)
Perspective is now an area we can definately incorporate, will begin applying face tracking to other elements

Xml files for detecting different shapes etc:
Haar cascades- http://alereimondo.no-ip.org/OpenCV/34

VVVV

2008-01-28T12:00:00.000Z

First meeting back after christmas, discussed VVVV and face tracking potential to be used to create realistic perspective.

http://www.vvvv.org

Archway Studios Not Suitable

2008-01-22T11:58:00.000Z

Went to see artist studio @ Archway, but was not suitable for our needs:
Too small - not enough space for 4 people and Dome Structure
Open Space - one large room with partitions, so wouldn't be able to work with sound without affecting other artists
180euro/month

Made good contact as Antoine is prepared to help us get the installation exhibited etc...

Presentation

2007-12-11T11:00:00.000Z

We had our final pitch/presentation today.

The above video is one we used in the presentation.

you can see the full presentation here:
https://docs.google.com/PresentationEditor?id=dhgd7xsz_35fsz32ccs

Presentation Preparation

2007-12-10T11:56:00.001Z

The group have met up to prepare our final pitch for our final year project. Thanks to Sile our presentation will hopefully turn out good.

We have discussed technical issues that may arise such as:
Scale issues with Dome
Web cam positioning
Acoustics

We seem to have more of a grasp of how we will create our installation technically and theoretically.

See presentation: https://docs.google.com/PresentationEditor?id=dhgd7xsz_35fsz32ccs

Artist Studios - House The Dome

2007-12-08T11:57:00.000Z

Sile: Have been speaking with Irish company who supply security mirrors regarding the coating. Am still cross referencing with company in Australia to establish if a polycarbonate mirror will work the same as polymer coated acrylic mirror. Still awaiting response.

Have been doing alot of phoning and email around Artist Studio spaces to try and secure studio space and some exhibition space for May 2008. Some obviously have a lenghty residency selection program with loads of paper work, but some are surprisingly easy to secure.

Very positive feedback from the curator for Red Stables in St Annes Park regarding an exhibition of our installation in May, but not for studio space as their studios are too small to facilitate a 15ft Dome!

Useful Link with details of independant Art Houses http://www.irish-art.com/irishartgroups.php

See list of spaces i've contacted:

The Red Stables, St. Anne’s Park, Mount Prospect Avenue, Dublin 3.
Telephone 01-2227377
Web: http://www.dublincity.ie/living_in_the_city/culture/red_stables_artists_studio/
Email: red.stables@dublincity.ie
Contact Name: Kelly O'Connor

(spoke to Kelly, one of the curators, regarding exhibition space in May 2008, )
studio space is not possible due to size of installation, was very possitive regarding exhibiting in May and
wants to get some multimedia exhibitions in as up to now has been maily 2D stuff
___________________________________________________________________
Pallas Studios, Dublin.
Telephone 01-8561404
Web: http://www.pallasstudios.org
Email: info@pallasstudios.org
Contact Name: Gavin (mailed regarding studio and exhibition space in May 2008)
____________________________________________________________________
Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin 2.
Telephone: 01 671 0073
Web: http://www.templebargallery.com/
Contact Name: None given (Fully booked for 2008 both studio and exhibition space!)
____________________________________________________________________
Stoney Batter Studios, 32 North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, Ireland
Telephone: none given
Web: http://www.stoneybatterstudio.com/about.htm
Email: info@stoneybatterstudio.com
Contact Name: none given (mailed regarding studio and exhibition space in May 2008)
____________________________________________________________________
Common Place, 10 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
Telephone: non given
Web: http://www.commonplace.ie/
Email: commonplaceamateur@gmail.com
Contact Name: none given (mailed regarding studio and exhibition space in May 2008)
_____________________________________________________________________
Firestation Studios, 9-11, Lower Buckingham Street, Dublin, 1.
Telephone: 01-8556735
Web: http://www.firestation.ie
Email: Query submission on site only
Contact Name: None given (mailed regarding studio and exhibition space in May 2008)
_______________________________________________________________________
La Catedral Studios, Dublin.
Telephone: none given
Web: http://www.lacatedralstudios.org/
Email: art@lacatedralstudios.org
Contact Name: None given (mailed regarding studio and exhibition space in May 2008)
_______________________________________________________________________
Monster Truck Studio and Gallery, No.73, Francis St, Dublin 8
Telephone: Colm @ +353 86 385 9019 or Peter @ +353 87 759 8294
Web: http://www.monstertruck.ie/
Email: info@monstertruck.ie
Contact Name: Colm Mac Athlaoich and Peter Prendergast (mailed regarding studio and exhibition space in May 2008)
_______________________________________________________________________
Talbot Gallery and Studios, 51 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
Telephone: 01-8556599
Web: http://www.talbotgallery.com/
E-mail: info@talbotgallery.com
Contact Name: Elaine Grainger (mailed regarding studio and exhibition space in May 2008)

Dome Logistics

2007-12-06T11:53:00.000Z

Met up in Stephen's apartment and worked out the logistics of the dome, camera angles, users area of movement for interaction.

Dome Equipment

2007-12-05T11:52:00.000Z

Sile: Further research into Equipment. Have been in correspondance with Paul Bourke, UWA re mirrors and dome projection, and have potentially sourced a company that does the correct mirror through manufacturers in Denmark.

Mood Enhancement/ Colour Psychology/ Colour Therapy

2007-11-30T11:49:00.000Z

Further research by all group member into synesthesia, mood enhancement/alteration, colour psychology and colour therapy. Read up on origins of physical interfaces.

Sile - research into digital abstract art. Some interesting sites and food for though:

Digital Abstract Art
http://www.withdigitaleyes.com/pgs/abstract.htm especially http://www.withdigitaleyes.com/pgs/ab/chakra.htm in terms of mood representation.
http://www.contemporaryfurniture.com/Catalog/Categories/Categories_40_All.asp (good for inspiration on how to create abstract environments)
http://www.digitalabstract.com/ (also has some inspiring poetry and word plays)
Actual Physical Enviroment
Also thought more about how we can use light to enhance the enviroment i.e. position lights so multiple shadows are cast possible creating a feeling of not being alone? see http://gadgetshow.five.tv/features/s4e9_interfacedevices03_400.jpg

Immersive Enviroments
- corner projection
- http://www.vis.uky.edu/assets/Images/Research_Images/immersive.jpg not too sure how this works but could just be projection onto perspex?
- fish eye projection and more, great examples of immersive enviroments!
-dome projection - http://local.wasp.uwa.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/domemirror/

Kieran - http://www.interactivearchitecture.org/portfolio/performativeecologies.html Installation which analyses to the viewer's reactions and adjusts itself accordingly.

Irish Museum of Modern Art - Field Trip

2007-11-27T11:48:00.001Z

Went to IMMA for some inspiration. Not much to see interactive wise, maybe a niche in the market?

Had a 2 hour meeting in library: went over a few alternative ideas which always resulted in the group referring back to the topic of
'mood reflection/enhancer' with in a room.

Showed the group a video to see what we could achieve aesthetically:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hWGUnrIiOoI

'Moods'

2007-11-26T11:47:00.000Z

Phil: Found this website linking all of Todd Winkler's publications:
http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Music/sites/winkler//papers/index.html
Had one hour brainstorm. One thing that came out of it was the word Synesthesia and its relationship to 'Moods'.

Another New Group Member!

2007-11-24T11:46:00.000Z

Philip Lam joins our group due to a shared interest in developing a synaesthesia-based art installation and Max/MSP.

Mini Project Presentation

2007-11-19T11:45:00.000Z

We presented our minor project to the class. We got cut off before we were finished but made our point successfully and clearly.
We submitted the exec document, which was written up by Síle and a short 7-minute movie.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNoikl1wn6M

Opera Singer Visuals

2007-11-11T11:43:00.000Z

Síle has completed the video for the fat opera singing lady. -Thumbs Up!
The Curtains were also completed.

Making a theremin with Arduino:
http://www.cornersound.com/index.php/2007/05/07/making-a-theremin-with-arduino/

In production of Minor project all week.

Opera Singer

2007-11-08T11:43:00.000Z

Continuation from yesterday re: tutorials & fine tuning etc
Sile created some test models for opera singer in C4D & Flash
Decided on Comedic "South Park" style 2D video -- to be animated and completed for test run on Monday
(Opera singer performing scale, controlled by sensor)

Mini Project Finalized

2007-11-07T11:42:00.000Z

Continue with tutorials
Finalized idea for mini-project based on results up to now, and potential for further development
Sile began creating draft videos for potential use in mini project
Kieran & Stephen focused on fine tuning sensors responses and potentiometers

Tutorials & Max Research

2007-11-06T11:39:00.000Z

Group meeting in College
Got multiple potentiometers working in Max
We all worked on tutorials
Tutorials - controlled things with Video
Read Max Fundamentals Documents

Reading Week

2007-11-05T11:35:00.000Z

Group meeting in college.

Temperature Sensor

2007-11-03T10:33:00.000Z

Stephen:
Experimented with the Thermistor (temperature monitor).

Used: The "smoothing" tutorial on arduino.cc to read values into the serial monitor of Arduino software.
Wired it up using the LDR schematic I linked to on the 30th of October.

Experience: not very sensitive to general room temperature, but very sensitive to high temperatures, i.e. fire.
My reasoning:
These are designed for use within systems that get VERY VERY hot, e.g inside a computer. When a certain temp is reached, it shuts down.

A digital temp monitor would probably be much better for our application, like this one on sparkfun.com. http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=245

The Dome Environment

2007-11-02T10:51:00.000Z

Group met up to progress exisiting ideas. Finalised on a interactive installation housed within a dome environment. Discussed visability issues regarding camera angles etc.

Arduino communicates with Max

2007-11-01T10:32:00.000Z

Stephen:
Got Arduino to communicate Analog values into Max/MSP.
Can use values from sensors to control audio, video, effects etc.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVokcAjhbk8

Light Sensors, Breadboards, Potentiometers, LED's etc...

2007-10-30T10:30:00.000Z

Useful Links:
http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/ - Some basic Arduino tutorials.
http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Learning/Tutorials - More tutorials.
http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/Tutorials/Tutorials - Uh, yeah, more tutorials.
http://dma.ucla.edu/senselab/node/350 - How to get an LED turning on with a button.
http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Learning/LEDSensor - Use an LED as a sensor.

Went into town today and got Potentiometers, Breadboards, thermistors, Phototransistors, jump leads, LEDs

Stephen:
Found some tutorials in hooking up a light sensor but it seems we need a light-dependant resistor (LDR) instead of a phototransistor.
Here's a little schematic... http://www.libelium.com/squidbee/index.php?title=Adding_a_light_sensor
It states here that it'll read values from the analog input... 0-1023 - SUPER SENSITIVE!
A video demonstrating the sensitivity of an LDR. http://youtube.com/watch?v=pXtD9wx7mjc It's mad !!! :)

Arduino Arrived!

2007-10-24T11:30:00.000+01:00

Received Arduino Boards

MaxMsp & Arduino

2007-10-17T11:29:00.000+01:00

Downloaded and installed Max/MSP for Mac. Only 40MB. 30 day trial. Costs $59 for a 9-month student licence. download link

"Arduino Diecimilia" is the name of the board we are using. It's the latest version. Initally thought we'd buy from Sparkfun.com, but they are based in the US.
Maybe pcb-europe.net is a better place. Based in Italy. (Where Arduino is made) €22 each. Quicker Shipping?

More info at arduino.cc Tutorials, blog, exhibition, etc.

Electronic Inputs

2007-10-16T11:28:00.000+01:00

Interesting Links:
http://www.pixelsumo.com/ - this is a site with loads of cool projects
http://www.pingmag.jp/ - another cool site, make of it what you will.

Further research into electronic inputs and sensors online i.e. equiptment - sensor boards etc. The group has decided to invest in 3 sensor boards to begin prototyping.

Brain Storming Session

2007-10-15T11:26:00.000+01:00

Continued idea brainstorming and online research into exisiting installations/physical interfaces.

Some Ideas included:
Pyrspects screen with projection of life sized mirror image of user. LED lights/motion sensors allow user to trace their own image. Screen diveded into grids so that one area can be zoomed in on for more detailed tracing.
Outdoor installation with long-term progression. Subject will be affected by both outdoor elements i.e. temperature, light, percipitation tec, along with human interaction, detected through temperature, light and motion sensors and solar power etc. Subject will grow/progress depending on the level of interactive components, project will start with two identical prototypes in two different enviroments to show how the subject interacts and progresses depending on input elements.
Walled projection in dark room, with illusion of light created through LED/Motion sensors, to reveal some kind of world/images created to the medium of video/animation.

New Group Member

2007-10-12T11:25:00.000+01:00

Group was joined by a third member - Síle Brehony.

Discussed common interests and abilities in relation to what direction we want to take the project. All three of us agreed that we would like to create a piece that has a physical presence outside of a monitor and keyboard.

Discussed further possibilities regarding the use of touch tone screens, voice/audio and light recognition. All group members will brainstorm and think about possible ideas for a concept, to be ready for Panel Presentation - Monday 15th Oct.

Physical Interfacing

2007-10-09T11:24:00.000+01:00

Discussed the use of PIC microcontrollers, LED Lights, light sensors, sound sensors, Tilt sensors etc. and combining it all into a USB HID device.

Initial Resources - via hackedgadgets.com

How to build a USB device - click here
How to build a simple electric motor - click here
Autonomous Blimp (IR Sensor) - click here
How to build Microcontroller projects (a lecture) - here

First Meeting

2007-10-08T11:20:00.000+01:00

First proper meeting regarding the game. Spent some time in the library looking at past project. Projects that applied to us were:

Brand New Page AKA BlowAway
Reminiscence
Shadow Realms
Hyperion

We spoke to Declan Tuite about our Project at we were encouraged to pursue developing a custom control interface alá BlowAway.
The Justification behind this was that large commercial corporations would not invest money into researching something like this