The Best of Processing in One: Zeno Music Visualizer
Processing, this language developed for programming animations. The most well-known results and applications are mainly music visualizers, such as Magnetosphere, now integrated into iTunes 8.
The following two animations are entirely generated in reaction to an audio track. There are no keyframes, no manual editing — only programming using Processing. I already found Magnetosphere impressive, but this… I find it downright magical!
These two animations were created by Glenn Marshall. What fascinates me most — and scares me a little at the same time — is this whole notion of "Computer Art." These animations, as beautiful as they are, are generated entirely from lines of code. There is no deliberate intervention from the author in how the animation is created. Everything is planned, calculated, reacting to frequencies and oscillations predefined by the music. And as a semi-traditional animator who uses keyframes — lots of keyframes — this kind of animation really makes you think...
If there’s one thing I truly want to develop in how I approach animation, it’s programming. In After Effects, this takes the form of expressions. They allow you to animate easily using logical and mathematical formulas to automatically generate movements and interactions without manual keyframing. (Here’s a video tutorial showing one of the possibilities made easier with expressions).
Although coding may seem complicated and tedious at first, there’s no doubt it’s one of the most powerful advantages of digital animation.
However, I don’t think animation via Processing really brings major innovations outside of specific applications like visualizers or live performances. These animations still tend to become repetitive after the first few minutes, once you understand how the elements react to the frequencies. Animation by animators — real, subjective animation — will always be there. With emotion.
(At least I hope so, I’ve got rent to pay at the end of the month ^^)
About the author
I am the Founder of Mattrunks.
I work as Creative Director and Motion Designer in my studio. I also create video tutorials to share my passion of motion.