TouchDesigner

TouchDesigner is a node-based visual programming environment used to create interactive multimedia content, especially for digital art, live performances, VJing, installations, and generative visuals. It’s made by a company called Derivative. Basically It’s kind of like if Adobe After Effects, Unity, and Max/MSP had a creative baby for real-time digital art. :D

Here’s What Makes It Special:

Real-time visuals: It lets you manipulate and generate visuals live, which is great for performances and interactive setups.

Node-based interface: You create visuals and logic by connecting nodes instead of writing traditional code.

Integration-friendly: Works well with sensors, MIDI, audio input, Kinect, OSC, Arduino, and more.

Powerful GPU rendering: Built on top of OpenGL, so it can handle complex visuals smoothly.

Python scripting: You can use Python to customize behavior and add complex logic.

Artists Use It to Create:

▪︎Live visuals for concerts

▪︎Interactive installations in museums/galleries

▪︎Projection mapping on buildings or sculptures

▪︎Generative art that reacts to music, movement, or audience input

Here Are Some Examples of Art Created Using TouchDesigner:

Face Painting by Acrylicode: An interactive installation where viewers can "paint" on a digital canvas using facial movements. The artwork utilizes facial motion detection to control a particle system, allowing users to create art by moving their faces.

EINDER by Boris Acket and Timo Lejeune of Lumus Instruments: An immersive audiovisual installation featuring synchronized lighting and sound. The project uses TouchDesigner to control light fixtures in real-time, creating a dynamic environment that responds to musical performances.

Solardust by Quiet Ensemble: A captivating light installation that simulates digital fireflies. Using TouchDesigner, the artwork creates floating particles of light that pulsate in sync with ambient sounds, transforming the space into a celestial realm.

Marbles of Memories by Keyi Ding: An audio-reactive visual project that translates generative music into evolving visual patterns. TouchDesigner processes live audio input to generate visuals that represent the transient nature of memories.

You can see this project on the visual page of Keyi Ding's website where it's been showcased on.

3D Glitching by Tom Manford: A visual experiment where a 3D model is transformed into a point cloud and distorted in sync with music. TouchDesigner applies noise-based displacements to create a mesmerizing, glitchy effect that reacts to audio cues.

You can see this project on Tom Manford's personal website where it's been showcased on.

Gathered by: UpIsTheNewDown