I have uploaded two new videos to my You Tube Channel showing the Pattern Maker application that I wrote for the GP2X. This is pretty much the same version of the application used for Blipfestival 2007.
The application holds about 100 equations, each with several variables whose values are set with the joystick and buttons.
One video shows the application using an 8 bit surface and the other shows the same application but dividing the color values down, giving a reduced palette.
Perhaps you could add a feature for recording the parameters used, and then playback later on a full PC - could make the youtube videos clearer. Use something like kkapture set to 30fps.
Thanks - I’ll check out kkapture. I think the problem is worst when the colors are saturated and then go through compression on YouTube. Interestingly, I just started uploading some of the exact same videos to Vimeo and they look much better.
You say that you “wrote” it. Is it done, and downloadable? if not, is it ever gonna be?
Hi Gasten,
Yeah, I’ve written a few variations now.
While they are perfectly usable for me for performing, there’s some work to do before I can release them. And as you can probably relate to it’s all about finding time to do that!
Specifically, I want the released version to allow the user to be able enter his/her own equations instead of using that 100 or so that I’ve hard coded into the application. I think this will be more fun (and exploratory) for the user. To use it right now would be something like using an audio sequencer where every sound was already pre-programmed and all you could do is re-mix the same sounds over and over. I think people want to create their own patterns instead of just playing with mine.
Anyway… thanks for the interest and reminder and one way or another I’ll get back to this in the not too far off future!
Just curious - are you interested in this kind of app for the GP2X or some other platform?
“Specifically, I want the released version to allow the user to be able enter his/her own equations instead of using that 100 or so that I’ve hard coded into the application. I think this will be more fun (and exploratory) for the user. To use it right now would be something like using an audio sequencer where every sound was already pre-programmed and all you could do is re-mix the same sounds over and over. I think people want to create their own patterns instead of just playing with mine.”
True, so true!
“Just curious - are you interested in this kind of app for the GP2X or some other platform?”
Well, the gp2x seems fit for the job with the native TV-out and all (the psp needs to be hacked, right?). As long as you cant find a good reason to support another platform, I dont see any point in doing so (except for broadening the userbase). This app, togeather with both LittleGPTracker and Pikix is a good reason for me to get a gp2x (I don’t have one yet).
Yeah, I really think the gp2x is a good unit - especially if you are new to programming for consoles. I think getting experience with that made the move to coding for GBA easier (although there of course differences!).
Also - right about the TV out - that is essential for me.
The DS doesn’t have it but the latest PSPs do. I’d like to get my hands on one at some point to try it out. In the past developing for the PSP was a pain (so I hear) but I think it’s gotten much better now.
Cool that you are familiar with Piggy and Pikix - both are used quite a bit in the chiptunes scene and are great apps.
Well, I consider myself part of the chiptune scene, soo….
Also, Pandora might be nice - but I don’t know how well one can utilize all that power with lo-fi mathematical patterns (Though, Moore’s Law do apply…).
hi paris
would be very interested in a release of your pattern maker for GP2x, can i ask what your plans are?
great work, keep it up!
peelie
Hi Peelie,
Thanks!
Although I use this app quite a bit for live shows and also for a bunch of videos that I’m working on right now, I haven’t had much luck in making it ready for a release.
As you might have read above the problem is just that I want users to be able to create their own patterns and not just work with the ones that I’ve programmed.
I went down a path of having the equations in a text file that could be read at run time but that proved to be very problematic so I need to approach it differently.
My guess is the best way to do it would be to have some kind of menu system that builds the equations - probably a GUI. Doing that in C and SDL shouldn’t be too hard but I haven’t done it before and will need to spend time on it.
Thanks for your interest though and as soon as I can get back to it, I’ll put some work into that direction.
hi again,
not sure if you know about the gp2x community forums here - http://www.gp32x.com/ , maybe you could see if anyone there would be interested in helping out with the gui?
cheers
Hi Peelie,
Yeah, that’s a possibility.
As I was thinking it through, more issues came up.
I’ll give it a go myself over the next few weeks.
I’m starting to think I should just clean up the source code and post it. If someone wants to, they can enter their own equations and compile it. It’s just one file so compiling is pretty quick and easy.
Anyway… I’m going to moving around a lot starting next week until mid August so probably more info then.
Best,
p
Love the gp2x !
Good post, nice and clear, thanks. Are you going to do an update on this post? I will subscribe to this blog!
Hi snes games!
Thanks! After a few failed attempts at writing a user interface that would really make this app useful (plus lack of time to spend on it) - I think what I’ll do is just write up some tutorials with sample code that people can compile on their own if they like. It’s on my “to do” list