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

Software: Pharos

Found this software via the Mirrie Dancers project here in Shetland. They are using the software to take in user generated videos and output to lots of LED light units (each with 36 individual LED's inside I should add). These lights are installed to different structures around Shetland.

Anyway the software seems to be generally used for large scale projects and architecture, lots of arts related projects much like Mirrie Dancers.

Lots of info and hardware/software available from them on their site: Pharos Controls

Software - openFrameworks

"openFrameworks is an open source C++ toolkit for creative coding."

made with openFrameworks from openFrameworks on Vimeo.

Software - Processing

"Processing is an open source programming language and environment for people who want to program images, animation, and interactions. It is used by students, artists, designers, researchers, and hobbyists for learning, prototyping, and production. It is created to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context and to serve as a software sketchbook and professional production tool."

Notes: Free, multi platform, online resources:

OpenProcessing
Processing @ Vimeo
Processing @ del.icio.us
Processing @ Flickr
Processing @ YouTube

Video below made in processing, by previously researched company: Postspectacular (see research post)

Happy 2010! from postspectacular on Vimeo.

Software - Max/MSP

"Interactive visual programming environment for music, audio, and media"

"In use for over twenty years by performers, composers, artists, scientists, teachers, and students, Max is the way to make your computer do things that reflect your individual ideas and dreams."

Notes: Loads of tutorials and examples on YouTube.

Software - vvvv

"vvvv is a toolkit for real time video synthesis. It is designed to facilitate the handling of large media environments with physical interfaces, real-time motion graphics, audio and video that can interact with many users simultaneously.

vvvv uses a visual programming interface. Therefore it provides a graphical programming language for easy prototyping and development.

vvvv is real time. where many other languages have distinct modes for building and running programs, vvvv only has one mode - runtime.

vvvv is free for non-commercial use. Commercial use requires a license. Get the latest version from the Download section.

vvvv is being developed by the vvvv group."

Notes: PC only. Interesting examples of use @ vvvv on Vimeo

interactive multitouch bar from tonfilm on Vimeo.

"interactive multi touch cocktail bar. video tracking using infrared light. software is vvvv."