Prototypes: Set up #4 - Full Size

The Art of Ping Pong Prototype #4 - Full Size from Jono Sandilands on Vimeo.

Using the same rough sketches as the last prototype (see here). The application uses colour tracking to track the red ball.

I set up a makeshift table using really thin sheets of board - they kinda absorbed the bounce making it really hard to play normally - will need to get a better surface even to test on - even an old ping pong table would be great - if anyone can help?

So hopefully in the video you can see how the projector and camera are placed at a high angle to the table - this test has confirmed that the projector and camera (especially) need to be directly above (or below if I can source a reasonably priced short throw projector - see table plan option 1 here).

Next:
A lot of work needed on the application
More tests of actual gameplay at full speed - I think the camera I currently use may not pick up high speed play.
Also work on plans for construction of the final table.

One step further...

Construction: Table option 2

So after a test with projector at a slight angle above - it confirms the tracking camera and projector would need to be directly above the table - if the inside table, original idea (see here) is not plausible. Would need a transportable rig to firmly hold the projector and camera and the idea would be to have two large tripod stands with a gantry frame/ rig over table.

Source website: http://www.cokerexpo.co.uk/lighting.htm

Prototypes: Set up #3 - Colour Tracking

The Art of Ping Pong Prototype #3 from Jono Sandilands on Vimeo.

After a bit of getting back to basics in Processing over the past few days - here is another test/rough sketch but this time using colour tracking using a camera above, specifically of a red ping pong ball.

Basically the red ball acts like a pen and draws it's path onto the screen. There are two versions in the video - one which just builds up ellipses and one in which the ellipses become smaller with each update. (Screenshot below)

Be quite good to get this tested on a bigger scale - with actual gameplay. I will use projector from high angle with keystone and create makeshift table with camera directly above.

I can maybe even start thinking about more dynamic graphics and importing vectors. Other thing to think about with this is - people wearing clothing the same colour to the ball - also scope for using a collision sensor or microphone in the table to only record when the ball actually hits the table. - When doing these tests I placed my hand on my test piece of perspex - and could feel the vibration when the ball hits the surface - may not work on larger surface but be worth a test... soon time to get Arduino out.

Research: Projectors

Update: This may help (http://www.projectors.co.uk/) And to clarify what I will be looking for: a big image from a short throw distance. (Ultra short throw projectors) (also more here)

Update 2: This one seems to be just about perfect - will worry about price later (most likely out of budget).


My plan is to have a projector within the table (rough plan/model coming soon) The problem I may face is there may not be enough depth in the table for the projector to fill the entire surface of the table. Need to look at the technical details of the projectors to get info. I imagine this post will update over time and the following (cheaper) projectors may not be 'eligible' for the table.

Optoma Projector

Acer Projector

HD Projector for games consoles/laptops etc

Research: Printers

One of the main ideas of the project is that after a game the piece of art is printed - I originally thought it would be printed on A2 but that would cost way too much - It would be quite neat to have them postcard sized and there are a few low price standard photo style printers around, they also allow borderless printing.

Canon SELPHY

Polaroid PoGO

Resource: Table Dimensions

Source - Wikipedia

Prototypes: Set up #2 - Processing Rough Sketch

Been a while since the last prototype/test (see 9 May 2010 -Sound prototype)

The Art of Ping Pong Prototype #2 from Jono Sandilands on Vimeo.

Set up consists of LCD TV covered by a piece of perspex acting the table, the MacBook which is running a rough processing application using the camera & Myron.

Basically it is using the camera to track the motion of the ball - it is slightly rough around the edges - perhaps a bit slow - but I am happy with this for now knowing I really need to push my abilities in Processing to make this better.

The mock table works great - but when I shift up to a full size ping pong table, I will have to think about a different idea - as lots of screens could be expensive. Projection would be possible, and preferably back projection. I will be drawing a rough plan for what I propose for the actual table soon.

Screenshots of the tests - part of the idea of the project is after a game the piece of art created is automatically printed and hung up on the wall while more games are played. There is a way to export a PDF of the application - sure there must be a way to automatically print a file when it is updated.


So, still loads to do, but feel I'm a step forward and back on the right track again.

Resources: Open Processing

http://www.openprocessing.org/

"A website to share Processing sketches

share your sketches with others

help and collaborate with the community

improve and polish your programming skills

follow classes around the world teaching processing"

Research - Webcam Motion Tracking

AS3 Motion Tracking from Justin Windle on Vimeo.

A demo of simple motion detection and tracking in AS3, used to control a swarm simulation. This piece was originally installed in a gallery space where the movement of visitors influenced the ever-changing generative composition.

http://blog.soulwire.co.uk/code/actionscript-3/webcam-motion-detection-tracking

Research: Ping Pong Screenprint

Lovely video and prints by Grid Plane. (Via Ok great)

KO-OP Invitational Print Day from Gridplane on Vimeo.

Research: Build your own multitouch surface computer

There are a lot of homemade DIY touch screen mock ups and tests out there. These are never quite perfect but maybe something to consider and test?

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/maximum_pc_builds_a_multitouch_surface_computer

Maximum PC's Multitouch Surface Computer from Maximum PC on Vimeo.

Hardware: Phidgets

Portage: Crossing Points (click for micro-site which, with I worked on with the help of Paul Mackinnon of Dundee University) when setting up the exhibition, which is currently on in Bonhoga Gallery, Shetland, I heard one of the artists speaking about a "Phidget"...

"What are Phidgets?

Phidgets are a set of "plug and play" building blocks for low cost USB sensing and control from your PC.

All the USB complexity is taken care of by our robust API. Applications can be developed quickly by programmers using their favorite language: C/C++, C#, Cocoa, Delphi, Flash AS3, Flex AS3, Java, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Max/MSP, MRS, Python, REALBasic, Visual Basic.NET, Visual Basic 6.0, Visual Basic for Applications, Visual Basic Script, and Visual C/C++/Borland.NET."

Website: http://www.phidgets.com/

Prototypes: Set up #1 - Sound Test

The Art of Ping Pong Prototype #1 from Jono Sandilands on Vimeo.
Just now I am working how best to do this project, and had this idea to use sound to react to the sound the ball makes when it hits the table.

Shown in the video is a normal computer screen covered by a piece of perspex, using the internal microphone on the MacBook running Modul8 to change and show a random colour every time the microphone picks up a sound. Obviously this will happen with every sound but it could be possible to set up a microphone to pick up sound in only a specific place or frequency.

This is a very simple set up, and I would like to start developing this and also looking into slightly more dynamic set ups using sensors. Long way to go yet, but keep track of my progress on the blog. Thanks for looking!

Prototypes: The Art

Thought I would post one of the example pieces I did last year of what a final Art of Ping Pong piece could look like. During a game of ping pong on a specially built table, sensors embedded in the table record where the ball makes contact with the table during a game. Not only does this allow player interactivity on the animated surface but, after game play an original piece of artwork is automatically printed and hung as a piece of art during further gameplay at an event.

More examples coming soon. Thanks for following!

Funding!

Great news! The Art of Ping Pong has received a Shetland Arts Visual Artist Award, this will go towards bringing the project forward and develop my technical skills with the aim of having a finished, or well developed prototype by next year! Big thanks to Shetland Arts!

Over the coming summer months, I plan to be cooked up inside working on test pieces, I am still very interested in collaboration and advice/ideas anyone may have so please get in touch with me: hello@jonosandilands.com

The Concept Video

The Art of Ping Pong - YCN/Anomaly Commendation 0809 from Jono Sandilands on Vimeo.