Re: [sc-users] Graphics, Video and SC

[JostM <sc@xxxxxxxx>]

crucial felix wrote:

> yes, the beauty of SC for me has always been these very liquid  
> control rate signals.  that's what really differentiates it from max  
> or reaktor etc.  obviously the SinOsc example is simplistic (and  
> could be done in the lang as in appr 2)

Ah, but what I like about appr 1 is that SC Server is doing what it
always does, Audio and Control Busses which interact.  Doing graphics
then means asking the server "what are you doing?" and then saying, "OK,
I'll draw this in response".  every 1/24sec.    SC lang, however has to
tell the graphics software which busses to ask. I do like the idea of a
trigger synth sending messages of its own accord. It may be less
flexible though, I'll have to think about it.

Approach 2 is like a string trio. The players look at each other once in
a while. I think it can be very effective, and just as good. it might
even be necessary  if the messaging gets too complicated. Remember they
don't have to play the same thing, they just have to play together and
in tune ;-)

> if you use the internal server you can operate on the shared buffers  
> and busses, right ?  i forget exactly.


Ah, I have to try this. that would mean _no_ messaging!!!

> i would try consolidating the messages into one wide packet every 1/24
> does anybody know what the maximum bandwith of UDP is ?

Interesting you should suggest this. I tried exactly that, and things
got jerky in the video. I don't know why. Now I simply let every object
poll its busses and alter values in a  big array which is iterated over
every 1/24 by the drawHook function. It keeps things smooth, and the
objects don't all have to do their thing at exactly the same time. Could
this issue have to do with the bandwidth of UDP? a real mystery to me.

Certain other things have helped also, such as using the most efficient
possible math programming for any drawing transformations  . It helps to
look through the math library for short-cuts.

I think the approach to division of labour with graphics is a discussion
topic worth continuing, especially concerning actual interaction
techniques. Thanks to Till for his concrete example.

Thanks to both Felix and Till for you comments. I'll get back to you
once I get a bit further with this myself.

jostM