From the forums: More Modul8/DMX enthusiasm

Modul8 DMX control of LED par cans with Audio FFT Modulation from Rick Burnett on Vimeo.

I don't think I need to write much about this and let this quote I have extracted from the forum speak for itself.

"As me and anomad get some of this stuff cleaned up and more generalized, we'll release some of this code if you all want to play with it. Unfortunately, like for the rope lights, it is VERY hard coded since the setup is so specific, but this is necessary. I've written a film that we are going to use these rope lights in also, and modul8 is DEFINITELY the way to go.

So yeah, absolutely awesome. This is the BEST real time video/effects program I have used. period."

Laser beams. No sharks but still happy.

. modul8 v2.6(beta) DMX test from a nomad on Vimeo.

Each and every modul8 user in his dark cavern, with access to lighting gear and midi controllers are starting to experiment with DMX. This just today off of the forums from user anomad (aka James, aka VJ 2c) who pulled out his lasers.

VJ DONKIE...

VJ DONKIE MODUL8 2.6 BETA TEST, PLAY, VJING from vjdonkie on Vimeo.

Never heard of this person before but quite obvious are two things: First that he did not waste any time and was probably the first person to upload a video that used the new beta and the second is that he has a special affection for the modul8 interface.

Modul8 v2.6 Public Beta

Hello everyone,

GarageCUBE has released a public beta of modul8 v2.6. It includes several new features and fixes as well as compatibility with Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

This public beta is free for testing to all registered users and will expire at the end of this month.

The final release will be a paid upgrade of 49 euros. For users who purchased modul8 within the last year the upgrade is free.

DO NOT USE THIS VERSION OF MODUL8 FOR PRODUCTION PURPOSES.

Features and changes
- Compatible with Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
- Irresponsive and blurred module buttons in Snow Leopard.
- Screenshot of preview/output.



- Sound Analysis Configuration panel accessible using 'Edit > Sound Analysis.'
- Apply sound analysis through the Animation FX menus.
- New function for modules: modul8.getSoundBands() returns the 23 bands (20:low, 21:mid, 22: high)
- Adjusting the sound input level within modul8 changes the default input level in System Sound Preferences.



Layers / Media
- Increased live video feed to 4 simultaneous streams. Cameras can be assigned to the inputs available in the Special Media panel using the QuickTime preferences panel in the Video Capture preferences.
- Dragging and dropping a folder with images into the media set creates a sequence that can be controlled like a movie. Adding and removing images from the folder will dynamically modify the sequence within modul8. The maximum pixel size of movie folder can be set in the preferences under the Misc tab.

Blend Modes

- Additive and subtractive blend modes made available for all layers.
- Wacom tablet input is available in the module system. The Paint module has been modified to take advantage of this feature.
- Sound balance can now be controlled in the Opt. tab of the main layers interface.

DMX

- DMX support available exclusively using the Enttec DMX USB Pro device.
Using the module system it is now possible to control modul8 using DMX and to control DMX devices using modul8. Fully functional and sample DMX modules are currently available.
- DirectEvent returns a new type: DMX (universe, channel, value, timestamp).
- DMX functions for modules: getDMXUniverseList, sendDMX, getDMXValues.

MIDI / Keys

- Automatic scan of MIDI devices when they are connected or disconnected.
- Added the option to filter MIDI devices. The filter is located in the preferences panel under the Key/MIDI Mapping tab.
- Import/export of MIDI and key mappings.

New module keywords:
direct_snapshot_mainOutput
direct_snapshot_previewWindow
direct_preview_position_z
direct_media_bilinearFiltering (write only)

Preferences
- The preview window can now be customized to any pixel size. This option replaces 'free mode.' Also added is a preset for 16/10 aspect ratio.
- Rendering size of Quartz Composer file can be set in the preferences under the Misc tab.

Bug fixes
- Added missing and or incomplete descriptions to the keyword browser.
- Modul8 was not receiving data from Korg nano kontrol when two controls were used simultaneously.
- In a specific instance the alpha IN/OUT buttons in Transformer/Particles were not updating.
- In some instances preview tabs disappeared when playing back a Logical Record.
- In the module system some values were returning incorrect values or the value could be misinterpreted.
- Logical Record not recording time position, not displaying counter accurately and Layer Logical Record not recording with Logical Record and hide/show of layers.
- Invert Output, Add Output colors and Trace not rendering when using a large Clip in Advanced Output.
- Double clicking on module icons, pressing command + Q on launch causing modul8 to crash.
- Search for missing files could produce memory leak.
- In some instances QuickTime movies in photo-jpeg codec could cause crashes.
- In modules using drawView, fillrect not erasing and filled canvas with color causing color to invert.

Freeframes plugins are now searched in:
"directory of Modul8"/Plug-Ins
/Library/Application Support/FreeFrame
~/Library/Graphics/FreeFrame Plug-Ins
    /Library/Graphics/FreeFrame Plug-Ins

If you have not received a message directly from us and would like to participate in the Beta release please contact me at support [at] garagecube [dot] com and I will provide you with the info for downloading it.

Your feedback is very valuable to us. If you find a problem please send contact support [at] garagecube [dot] com with your serial number, a clearly outlined description of the problem, your system profile and your crash logs if they are available.

A section of the forum has also been created for sharing your feedback with the community.

Happy testing!

Kind regards,
Modul8 Team

Quick (less) then a year in review

JAB:Visual. A demo. 2008 from ilan katin on Vimeo.

A sort of fun thing I put together recently highlighting the use of live drawing using the Paint module in modul8.

Hey! Look around. Slight color modifications. Was not totally happy with what I had here. Better balance now I think.

And now...

The last post here was... well... a long time ago. But not a year! Sorry for the long absence. Thanks to those who emailed me encouraging me to continue. At this point I have to right? Firstly I have to mention that there were some changes at GarageCube. If you are a long time user of modul8 you would be familiar with Yves Schmidt who was the co-creator of modul8 and Mattias Grau who was responsible for the design of the interface and the GarageCube/Modul8 web site. It was sad to see them go but we all must follow our own paths. My path led to becoming the communications person for GarageCube. From now on if you send an email to support [at] garagecube.com or info [at] garagecube.com in English there it will likely be me.

We (the remaining crew of Boris Edelstein, Sara Eiche and I (Ilan Katin) began the search for a new programmer/engineer. With the help of Anton Marini (aka Vade) who posted about the job opening on Create Digital Motion we were approached by David Geldreich. Boris and I were both extremely delighted to learn about Davids work in the field of computer graphics to date. He was one of the founding partners of legendary motion tracking software company RealViz and has done mountains of work in the field of virtual reality research. He was very intrigued by modul8 and its possibilities. He joined GarageCube on January 1st 2008.

Prior to the beginning of the New Year we started providing for our registered users beta versions of 2.5.5. We added some small enhancements. For me the most significant would be the color swatches and color picker tabs for the layer controls in addition to the RGB additive and reductive sliders already provided. Since the arrival of David we have made v.2.5.5. beta 3 accessible via the page where registered customers download modul8 when something goes awry. You know the one... limited to 7 days? If you want to test beta 3 just send an email to support [at] garagecube.com, get a new link and help us make this a solid release.

On a slightly different note you may ask "how can you write a blog about modul8 and work for modul8? Can your remain biased?" The answer to that question is that the modul8.users blog is now part of the GarageCube/Modul8 world. However I will not restrict myself to reporting on modul8 created materials as long as the subject does not dip to far into the technology being used by a particular work of interest.

With that in mind I have a tone of articles that I need to write about some great stuff that has happened in the last few months that I would like to share with you. As usual you are more then welcome to share them with me and I can have them posted here.