Processing

Arutro told me about a really interesting program that is worth exploring, especially if you have any interest or background in programming and computer science. The site describes the program as: "Processing is a flexible software sketchbook and a language for learning how to code within the context of the visual arts. Since 2001, Processing has promoted software literacy within the visual arts and visual literacy within technology." Basically it is a program that allows you to create art, motion graphics, among hundreds of other applications. The site contains a variety of examples of some of the basic uses. This is one that changes the hue as you drag your mouse across it. Below, you are given the code that makes it work, and it is often surprising how simple the basic stuff is. The language is based on java so if you are good with that program you should feel right at home. Download the program and try entering and tweaking some of the sample code if you are interested. It is a really cool concept and the possibilities are endless. Here are some exhibition examples of work people have done.

A great new resource will soon be available!!

Like Studio Ghibli films and Futurama?  Ever wanted to create animations like them?  Well there's great news for animation enthusiasts, because it was recently announced that the software company Digital Video will release an open-source version of their software Toonz.  (It should be set for release on March 26.)  This new version of the software will have features developed by Studio Ghibli themselves, which will certainly be interesting to see how the animation process in the east differs from here in the west.  I've always had a fascination with Japanese-animated films like the works of Miyazaki and other Ghibli films, so I might give this a shot.

The company will still offer its Premium version of Toonz for animation studios at a competitive price, so whether or not the open source version will be drastically simplified is one of my main questions. It may not be a bigwig animation software like ToonBoom, but if you're at all interested in the anime and Ghibli animation style, definitely check it out.

The full story can be found right here on Digital Video's website.