This is a kind of real-time generative art drawing project coded in openFrameworks and shaders.
It has been used as artistic installation with gamepad control.
The following blog shows images generated with this tool : https://math-art-variations.tumblr.com/
Examples of outputs :
Screenshot of the tool :
It should compile easily on windows and linux using the branch nogamepad : https://github.com/Bleuje/variations-combinator/tree/nogamepad
Using the main branch. ofxGamepad addon is used (it seems that you should use this fork because of a fix).
Only tested on linux so far and it might compile less easily.
An attempt to have it run directly on linux : Downloadable on itch.io
Note : functionality to save pictures does not seem to work with this executable yet.
The main algorithm composes a list of functions called variations (which are often just called functions here). They take a 2D position as input and return another 2D position (hence they can be composed). By plotting the images of particles filling a 2D square with transparent dots, subtle images can be obtained. The variations used here are found in fractal flames algorithms. Most of them have parameters that can be randomized. This is inspired by work from Generateme aka tsulej who has also shown his outputs in a tumblr blog : https://folds2d.tumblr.com/ (see early posts (2016) in its Archive).
He made a tutorial to explain the algorithm, using Processing : Folds
This tool is real-time thanks to compute shaders.
You can visualize some examples of variations here to get an idea. Most of them are not in previous link, a more exhaustive list with their Java implementation can be found here : JWildFire source code. The ones used in this project have been translated from Java into glsl (see main shader for source code).
GenerateMe made the parameters randomization ranges/laws work for the variations (important work).
The tool contains a 3D mode : using two 2D -> 2D functions a 4D point cloud can be obtained from the input 2D square. This 4D point cloud is projected into 3D with perspective projection. This 3D point cloud is then again projected with another perspective projection to view it on the 2D screen. (Keyboard shortcut for 3D mode : exclamation mark !)
The work on user interface is kind of focused on the use of xbox (maybe playstation too) gamepad, and the openFrameworks addon ofxGamepad is used. It's the most playful way to discover the tool though there is no save button on gamepad. The gamepad interface is explained on screen when pressing L2.
But it's also controllable with keyboard with more actions, but not in a friendly way and intended for AZERTY keyboard layout.
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
| Escape | quit the app |
| arrows up / down (or W / X) | function selection navigation / change cursor position |
| arrows left / right (or C / V) | change function at cursor |
| S | save picture (with timestamp in filename), also saves the list of functions in a text file. Both in "data/images" folder |
| Q | randomize parameters of function at cursor (not possible for all variations) |
| Y | randomize parameters of all functions |
| Z | change all functions randomly |
| F / D | add / remove function above cursor |
| P / O | add / remove function at the end of the list |
| N | change color mode |
| ! (exclamation mark) | activate/deactivate the 3D mode |
| E | change "bounding mode" of drawing |
Less important keyboard shortcuts :
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
| Numpad arrows (4,8,6,2) | translate function at cursor |
| 5 | reset all translations |
| 0 | reset translation of function at cursor |
| 1 and 3 | change scale of function at cursor |
| . | reset scale of function at cursor |
| A | re-render |
| ) | screenshot |
| + / - | more or less opacity per particle |
There are some more, see void ofApp::keyPressed(int key) in source code (ofApp.cpp).
Getting interesting results is not really easy the more you become used to the tool.
A normal way to explore seems to be building the main shape from the first functions of the list and gradually work towards texture with the following functions (the first function of the list being the last function to be applied, and it's the one at the top of the screen). You can also often keep a same function but randomize its parameters. Maybe try to randomize everything a lot of times before seeing a good starting point.
Some variations have very strong character so they become quickly boring as main shape and are better used at an intermediate or texture level.
GNU General Public License v3.0
Feel free to contribute or share your results.
Thanks to GenerateMe for the inspiration and work used here.
Possible future work :
- windows executable
- split source code into more files