TouchDesigner introduction- Sound reactive visuals

The goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to the visual development platform TouchDesigner and guide them through the practice of interactive media systems using visual data and sound.

This is a 3-hour beginner-level workshop where participants will learn about the ecosystem and layout of TouchDesigner: project structure, node viewer, operator families, parameters dialog and modes; how to use sound as input and read its values: CHOPs and channels, creating and editing audio, audio values as an reference; and how to use video devices: TOPs and SOPs , using a webcam as a face tracer, making visuals sound reactive, render visuals and customization.

Requirements

The workshop will be held in a computer laboratory with available iMacs for 10 participants. If necessary, participants may be required to share a computer. Hence, if possible, participants are encouraged to bring their personal computer with TouchDesigner installed, and with the Eduroam Internet connection configured (to be able to access and download the required software and libraries) and a working webcam to participate in the workshop.

TouchDesigner is free for personal or learning use, available at: https://derivative.ca/

The links to any necessary materials and code repository will be emailed to the registered participants on the day before the workshop / will be handed out during the workshop.

The workshop will be in-person and in Portuguese language but suitable to English-speaking attendants. Participants are required to follow the U.Porto code of conduct: https://www.up.pt/portal/pt/investigar/etica-na-investigacao/codigo-etico-de-conduta-academica/

Participants’ registration limitation and waiting list

The workshop will only take place with a minimum of 6 participants. Registration is limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Registration will be managed exclusively through EventBrite.

If more participants than available slots are interested, a waiting list will be setup. We ask participants who are unable to attend to cancel their registration on EventBrite so that the system can give an opportunity to those on the waiting list to register and attend.

***NEW***

A new registration option for participants in the waiting list, or to all that wish to access a live stream of the in-person workshop, will be available. Just book a spot in the live-stream registration.

***NEW***

More information

This workshop is part of the Processing Community Day 2023 @ Porto: https://pcd.fba.up.pt/2023/

The PCD23 is a free and open-participation event and part of a larger initiative: https://processingfoundation.org/advocacy/processing-community-day-2020. We welcome all members of the local and international community to join us. It aims to promote Creative Computation and Computational Design Thinking.

Additionally, to this series of warm-up workshops, the conference program features a keynote conference from Anna Carreras, an exhibition (resulting from the call for works that is open until January 15, 2023), and a final Education Roundtable with a selection of guests from all over the country. Participation in all activities is free, but registration is required.

Instructors

Isabel Rosas. Born In Porto and currently enrolled on a degree in Plastic Arts in the field of Multimedia, at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. Her work's main focus is the exploration of different kinds of relations between sound and images using reactive systems and technological relationships.

Hugo Aston. Born In Braga and currently enrolled on a degree in Plastic Arts in the field of Multimedia, at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. Hugo's work follows a technological path that explores the limits of the digital and physical materials.