Looking Outwards #2: Works made with Processing

Recently I’ve been interested in programs as tools for new ways of drawing and mark making, so for this Looking Outwards, I’ve specifically researched experimental drawing applications created with Processing.

The Sonic Wire Sculptor Machine is a program that adds two more dimensions to drawing. Marks made are converted to 3D models and spun in three dimensions, and tones are derived from the positions and shapes of the marks. I was impressed by this project because it’s very successful in creating a fascinating new way of drawing and experiencing a drawing. It seems like there are many possibilities for this project. I can imagine complex improvisational drawing/music hybrid performances that could be done by mastering this software.

The Stone Spray Project is a machine which allows the user to draw in the same way a 3D printer “draws” by using several 2D layers. It’s a surprising project because the technique of using a pen or stylus to build up a sculpture (as opposed to the process of removing in sculpture) is relatively new. The only other way I am aware of playing with this technique is with a 3D printer pen which have only recently (in the past few years) entered the consumer market.

Chronodraw is another drawing software experiment where the user can draw frame by frame into cells that can be tiled together. The effects that can be created are similar to particle systems that use flocking algorithms. The issue here is that the drawing application itself is very limited; the tools are very basic (a simple non-anti-aliased “pencil” tool that doesn’t support tablets with pressure sensitivity) and users can only use white on a black background. If this project was instead some sort of plugin or addon to software with a more complete drawing system (gimp, Photoshop, etc.) then there would be much more flexibility on what is possible with Chronodraw.