Learning Quartz Composer, Book Component A Hands-On Guide to Creating Motion Graphics with Quartz Composer

Create powerful visual compositions with Quartz Composer! Quartz Composer -- Apple Inc.'s visual development engine that comes included with Xcode -- can be used to create Quicktime, Screen Saver, and iTunes Visualizer compositions but it's capable of so much more. Now, in this DVD and companion manual, renowned VJs Graham Robinson and Surya Buchwald show content creators and developers how they can push Quartz Composer to the limit. The authors'text and DVD video tutorials combine to deliver fast mastery and outstanding results. Every concept is introduced as part of a hands-on project, with companion video demonstrations and tutorials that walk users through every step. One task at a time, users build their knowledge - and the authors encourage experimentation every step of the way. The projects start out extremely simple, with a focus on beautiful visual feedback: a method that resonates powerfully, encouraging readers and viewers to freely explore Quartz Composer. The advanced demos and tutorials walk readers through the construction of a 3D city. Along the way, users will gain deep insight into Quartz Composer's broad capabilities, learning how to create everything from data-driven visual effects to compelling live performance animations.

Graham Robinson runs Shakinda Productions in Belfast, Ireland, specializing in innovative projection design and interactive visual systems creation. He believes that technology allows us to create art that can inspire humanity and transform society, and has performed audio visual sets all over the world as VJ Shakinda worldwide.

 

Surya Buchwald runs MMMLabs in Portland, Oregon, creating interactive experiences for Nike, Intel, Scion, and others. He traverses the globe as VJ for the Glitch Mob, bringing the Quartz Composer magic to fans worldwide. He also creates interactive video instruments and performs with them as Momo the Monster.

Preface          xv

Acknowledgments         xxi

About the Authors         xxiii

 

Part I: Quartz Beginner          1

Chapter 1: What Is Quartz Composer and Why Should I Learn It?           3

Play Video Introduction to Quartz Composer   3

Installing and Setting Up Quartz Composer   5

Outputs   5

Flexibility   7

Experimentation   7

Summary   7

Challenges   8

 

Chapter 2: The Interface and Playing a Movie            9

Launching Quartz Composer   9

Editor versus WYSISYG   11

Viewer   13

Patch Library (Creator)   13

Patch Inspector/Patch Variables   16

Playing a Movie Tutorial Instructions   16

Summary   18

Challenges   19

 

Chapter 3: Adding Visual Effects (Pimping It Out)          21

Adding a Filter   21

Filter Chains and Layering  23

Filter Tools   24

Core Image FX and FPS   30

Summary   32

Challenges   32

 

Chapter 4: Using LFOs, Interpolation, and Trackballs to Move Stuff         33

Interpolation Patch: Do Stuff for a Bit   33

Interpolation as an Amazing Calculator   36

LFO   37

Hierarchies with Environment Patches: Trackball and 3D Transformation   39

Summary   42

Challenges   42

 

Chapter 5: Debugging (When Things Go Wrong)          43

Using Image with String   43

Debugging Tips   45

Summary   46

Challenges   47

 

Chapter 6: Particles (Little Flying Bits of Bling)         49

Add to Library (Creating a Clip in Leopard)   49

Starting Point Composition   51

The Particle System   51

Real-World Modeling   54

Blend Modes   57

Summary   57

Challenges   57

 

Chapter 7: Mouse Input (Making Your Mouse Do Cool Stuff)         59

Particle Systems Control   59

Smoothing Input   61

Drag-and-Drop Interaction   64

Controlling a Kaleidoscope   68

Summary   69

Challenges   69

 

Chapter 8: MIDI Interfacing (Getting Sliders and Knobs Involved)           71

MIDI Notes   71

How to Get the Information   71

MIDI Virtual Macros   73

MIDI Notes to Control Sprites   76

Adding in MIDI Controllers   82

Further Control   84

Summary   84

Challenges   84

 

Chapter 9: Interacting with Audio (Get Stuff Grooving to the Beat)          85

Working with Audio Input   85

Output   89

Challenges   90

 

Chapter 10: Lighting and Timelines (The Dark Side of QC)           91

Video Tutorial on Lighting   92

Timelines   94

Summary   96

Challenges   96

 

Chapter 11: Replication/Iteration (The Bomb)          97

Demo: Replicate in Space   97

Iteration   101

Summary   105

Challenges   105

 

Part II: Quartz Ninja         107

Chapter 12: Modeling Complex Environments (3D Cities)          109

Texturing   110

One City Building   112

Beat Reaction   112

Macro It Up   113

Duplication   114

Video Walls   115

Replicating   116

Master Scale   117

Finishing the Plan   118

Camera   119

Summary   119

Challenges   119

 

Chapter 13: Create a Cocoa App (Send Quartz to Your Friends)            121

Xcode   121

Demo: Create an Application with Snow Leopard/Leopard   122

Demo: Create an Application with Lion   124

More Features: Publishing Inputs with Snow Leopard and Leopard   127

More Features: Publishing Inputs with Lion   129

Summary   131

Challenges   131

 

Chapter 14: Create a Screensaver          133

Making the Screensaver   133

Adding Options   135

Summary   136

Challenges   136

 

Chapter 15: Secret Patches, Core Image Filters, and GLSL (Pushing the Boundaries)          137

Private Patches   137

Plugins   138

JavaScript   139

GLSL   139

Core Image Filters  139

OpenCL   142

Summary   142

Challenges   142

 

Index   143

Patch Index   151