Modul8 announcement

Hello everyone!

We apologize for sending you the same info again, however we found out that there were some encoding problems with the last mailing and we wanted to correct this by sending the message again so you received the information without any problems.

We also did not include a very important piece of information about Mad_Lab: You will need to donwload MadMapper v1.0.2 in order to use the Mad_Lab applications.

MadMapper
As of this writing 'projection mapping' is one of the fastest growing mediums, being used in a variety of artistic and commercial projects. The basic idea: take a projector, point it at a physcial volume like an object or an architectural element, and then map an image onto it.
The MadMapper is a collaboration between GarageCUBE and 1024 architecture. The MadMapper provides a simple and easy tool for mapping projections. It removes a lot of the confusion related to this medium, effectively demystifying the process, allowing you, the artist or designer to focus on creating your content, and making the experience of mapping textures to physical objects in real time, fun.
MadMapper is built around the idea of sharing video content between applications. To accomplish this task, MadMapper uses a Mac OS X based framework called Syphon. Any application that can send its output to Syphon server will automatically available to MadMapper for perspective transformations and warping.

There is an ever-growing list of software supporting the Syphon framework, such as:
- Modul8 (v2.6.2 or greater)
- Quartz Composer
- VDMX 5
- OpenFrameworks
- Cinder
- MaxMsp/Jitter
- Unity3D
- Processing (soon)
- Resolume via FreeFrameGL
- Isadora via Matthew Haber's Actor

The approach that one should assume with MadMapper is that it is extracting elements from a source, generally referred to as 'the input.' This 'input' can be any material you import into MadMapper, such as an image, QuickTime move or Syphon input. These extracted elements are called 'surfaces' that consist of multiple geometric primitives, such as a quad, a triangle or a grid. These surfaces can then ben transformed and arranged as desired within the video canvas called 'the stage.'

Features:
- Unlimited amount of mapped elements
- Quads, triangles and mask elements (more to come)
- Grid Warping (upt to 30 by 30 subdivisions)
- Unlimited undo levels
- Multiple selection of elements
- Named selection sets
- Save and Load configurations
- Opacity and Blending modes for each element
- Flipping options
- Master opacity to blackout the whole projection
- Display of images, QuickTime movis or Syphon inputs
- Export as SVG / PNG / PDF
- Spacial Scanner to turn your video-projector into a 2d scanner

A single license for 2 computers costs 299 euros. If you have a Modul8 serial number, we provide a discount that is accessible through the yourspace page (http://www.modul8.ch/yourspace) that provides you with a link to buy MadMapper for 199 euros.


- MadMapper 1.0.2:
We have also released an update of MadMapper with the following changes:

- New keyboard shortcuts to toggle fullscreen on/off, same as Modul8
- New warnings to help you use the Spacial Scanner more efficiently
- Testcard showing the MadMapper logo
- Default blending mode is Over Premultiplied for improved Modul8 compatibility
- Interface settings are now saved in Preferences
- A new Quad now automatically fills the entire view in the preview window, based on the current zoom level
- Support for the new Mad_Lab applications


- Mad_Lab tools
With the release of MadMapper we are also releasing some companion applications that will expand your tool set for creating exciting video mappings. Here comes the Mad_Lab, a labratory for experimental softwares that contain a bunch of little apps, each focusing on a special aspect we will eventualy integrate into MadMapper.

You'll need to be a registered user of MadMapper in order to run these following apps:

- MAD_Line: Allows you to draw lines and animate them in realtime. It also features an export to SVG function
- MAD_GraphicsPatterns: Dynamically generates graphical content that can be mapped with MadMapper
- MAD_VideoDelay: Delays the incoming iSight feed and places each iteration on a grid
- MAD_TextureDoubler: Allows for 2 incoming Syphon inputs into one. Good for mixing VDMX  and Modul8 at the same time
- MAD_GridMaker: A simple generated an animatable grid
- MAD_Equalizer: Generates a customizable audio-reactive EQ
- MAD_KinectMasker: Use your Kinect to create realtime masks

WARNING! You must download MadMapper v1.0.2 in order to use the Mad_Lab applications.


- Modul8 v2.6.3

- Syphon SDK Public Beta 2 - fixed an issue with OS X 10.7 Lion
- Fixed some issues with alpha channels when using shared textures in Syphon
- Fixed an issue with media when using '8 bit' filenames such as ones that use Japanese characters
- Rendering Logical Record using an Alpha Channel with a codec that supports Alpha Channels
- Added menu that links the to Online Module Manual (see below for details)
- New PDF user manual

To download this most recent release please us your serial number to log into the following page:

http://www.modul8.ch/yourspace

- New Printed Manual
We are now taking orders for a friendy new printed manual for Modul8. The manual is recommended for anyone getting started with Modul8.

The manual comes with a Modul8 t-shirt and costs 35 euros including shipping costs within Europe. World wide the cost is 45 euros including shipping.

- Online Module Manual
Ever wanted to understand how to write your own custom modules? Did you know that you can make some modules without having to write a single line of code? You will now be able to learn how to do this and more with our Online Module Manual. It contains a series of in depth explantions on the module system and its functions. It will also show you how to write Python code so you can unleash the full potential of the module system. With this manual you will be able to customize Modul8 the way you want.

To get started point your browser to:

http://www.modul8.ch/documenation/modules_manual/


- Upcoming workshops
Want to learn how to use MadMapper? Our hands on workshops will teach you everything you need to know about how to use MadMapper, from the basics of how to integrate your existing video material as well as provide you with techniques and feedback that will allow you to gain insight into your own creativity within the world of video mapping. Whatever your interest, be it video mapping for art installations or live performance, these workshops will give you the basic knowledge to liberate you your ideas from the screen into an immsersive one.

- London   Sept.23rd
- Brussels Sept.30th - Oct.1st

More dates are in the works and there are many ways to stay informed about workshop availability in your area. Check our blog: http://www.madmapper.com/blog, follow us on twitter @madmapper or facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MadMapper

Best wishes,
GarageCUBE + 1024 architecture
http://www.garagecube.com/
http://www.1024architecture.net/