The Khronos Projector

The khronos Projector is the self described "video time-warping machine with a tangible deformable screen". By touching (or dragging a hand across) a screen that is playing projected footage, users can not only seemingly morph and modify the footage but can also change the direction of the footage from backwards to forwards in the time track. This makes for some interesting new dimensions and control elements. Using an algorithm the University of Tokyo have developed a multi layered sequence of images utilizing a spatio-temporal filter to blend and fuse each of the images in the sequence. The program uses the C++ language and for you animators out there, also uses our familiar OpenGL and NURBS surface mapping.
What is interesting about this concept is the possible potential it may have with real time generated environments, similar to interactive gaming or simulation worlds in that the user could become more directly involved beyond just the mouse and keyboard. This would also be a nice consideration to some of the primitive attempts to import a user into an environment, such as the Eye Toy, which as of now is a rather flimsy attempt, but combined with the users physical touch, might pull the flatness of just video, into a more useful application. Of course it would nice to see the Eye Toy itself advance it's own skills to be worthwhile in such a merger. Something more akin to the Nanomanipulator might be a more scientifically successful pursuit. Of course this will be something we will wait some time for.
There are a multitude of downloadable movies on the website where you can simultaneously watch a user interact with the footage and effect it. If you look closely you can see frame adjustments in some of the footage that differs from the others.
There is also a free demo applet available for download. Website.

Camera tossing

While it takes a moment to digest that this is serious, the amazing photo's speak for themselves.
Camera Toss

Sands of time

In the 70's there was a pop culture trend of nature based entertainment, pet rocks, rainbow colored sand filled bottles, and ocean motions were all the rage. Now that we have the world wide web, we have a psychological need to re-experience history in this new format. Hence the online Sand Art game that will tempt you to minimize any other program from running on your system while it takes over generating your personalized masterpeice. Click the image to see the animation.

Mr Snake

This little fella was created in anticipation of my very first green screen. Santa had a hold up in the warehouse at the North Pole so it isn't here yet, but it should arrive any day. I created Mr. snake by knitting a tube and using a glue gun to attach the eyes and the forked tongue which I cut out of fleece fabric. As soon as the green screen (actually it's blue too since it's reversible) Mr. Snakes dream will come true. Click here to see a very short movie of him........... if you can't see the .mov try this one instead (.wmv).

Appliqué Project

Fun with Christmas presents - My first appliqué projects:

Tea kettle appliqué pressed onto a dishtowel:










Heart appliqués pressed onto Mukluks:











Close up: