Schedule

EDPX 3450/4450, Visual Programming, Autumn Quarter 2013 
Course Schedule EDPX 3450/4450, Visual Programming, Autumn Quarter 2013

*Course outline is intended as a guide and is subject to change

Basic Class Structure

Each class will begin with presentations of assigned materials and/or a brief quiz to review the concepts discussed during the previous session. Following the quiz/presentation will be an intensive lecture and follow-along patching session. After giving all assignments for the next session, the remainder of each class period will be used for hands on patching and one-on-one instruction.

Class #1: Sept 09, 2013 – Getting Started with Vizzie

Content:

• Class Overview
• Team Selection
• Introduction to Visual Programming with Max/MSP
• Using Vizzie for quick development – Viewing and Processing video in real time
• Sharing patches - Copy Compressed
• In-class patching

Assignments

• Blogpost - Due Class #2, prior to start of class.
• Peer Mentoring – Each student is assigned one Vizzie Effects Module. Create a patch using the module that demonstrates all of its primary functions. Post a description of the module and how you are using it along with the compressed patch to the blog.

Class #2: Sept 11, 2013 – Extending Vizzie and Standard Max – Messages in Max Part 1

Content:

• Quiz on Max/Vizzie patching
• Extending Vizzie – Controllers and Generators
• Introduction to standard Max programming (from 20 Objects)
• bang - number box - message box
• The Max window
• Loadbang and State Saving in Vizzie

Assignments (both due Class #3, 09.16.2013):

• In-class presentation 
• Visual Performance patch (to be performed for class): Using the Vizzie modules, create a Max patch that you will perform (or allow to generate) for the class. Duration should be less than 3 minutes. The patch should be set up so all of the contents necessary to automatically run are set when opened. Try to use some Vizzie modules that we did not directly discuss in class.

• Blogpost 
• Post a one-paragraph entry about the idea of noise as discussed in class. 

Class #3: Sept 16, 2013 – Standard Max Part 2 – Nuts and Bolts

Content:

• Performance Patch presentation
• Quick Quiz
• Order of Operations (see button section of 20Objects)
• Basic math
• Hot and Cold
• Inspector

• Finding out more – the Max help system

Assignments (Due Class #4, 09.18.13):

• Blogpost Using the max help system, find an object related to the objects we have used in class and post a one paragraph entry about its function and possible uses.

Class #4: Sept 18, 2013 – Standard Max – More

Content:

• Quiz on Max patching
• Lists
• Packing and Unpacking
• Max Time – An Introduction
• Metro, Toggle, Counter
• In-class patching

Assignments

• Due Class #6, 09.25.13
  Standard Max Button Art - using only standard Max programming (i.e., do not use Vizzie modules), create a simple artwork that uses buttons to create a "light show" that is interesting.

• Due Class #10, 10.14.13 
  Collaborate with your team members to create a mixed mode (Vizzie + Max) installation piece. Be prepared to describe each team member's contribution to the result.

Class #5: Sept 23, 2013 – Integrating what we've learned

Content:

• Quiz on Max/Vizzie patching
• Team meetings

In-class patching

Class #6: Sept 25, 2013 – Making Sounds

Content:

• Button art projects due
• Quiz on Time
• MIDI – An Introduction
• Making Sounds – Noteout, Makenote
• Changing voices with MIDIformat
• MIDI Devices

Assignments (Due Class #7: 10.1.13)

• Using the MIDI objects we explored in class and your existing button art project, add sound to your light show.

Class #7: Sept 30, 2013 – More About Numbers; Generative Approaches

Content:

• Light and Sound button art presentations
• Quiz on MIDI
• Random Numbers – Random, URN, Drunk
• Scaling
• Filtering repetitions and defining boundaries

Assignments (Due Class #9: 10.7.13)

• Generative Music – Using the MIDI objects we have explored and all the objects explored today in class, create an interesting generative musical composition.

Class #8: Oct 2, 2013 – Networks

Content:

• Quick button art presentations
• Patching without cables (or with fewer anyway)
• Gates and switches
• Selecting by input – sel, route, funnel

Assignments: TBA

Class #9: Oct 7, 2013 - Subpatchers

Content:

• patchers
• abstractions
• bpatchers
• Vizzie modules as abstractions

• In-class work

Assignments: TBA

Class #10: Oct 9, 2013 – Team Work Day

No regular class; teams should meet to work toward finalizing project one.

Class #11: Oct 14, 2013 – Presets and the Pattr Object

Content:

• Project #1 due - presentations by each team for the class w/Q&A session.

• The Pattr family
• Preset
• Scripting names
• Advanced state saving in max.

Assignments: TBA

Class #12: Oct 16, 2013 – MSP~ – Audio Generation

Assignments

Class #13: Oct 21, 2013 – MSP~ – Audio Filtering

Content:

Assignments

Class #14: Oct 23, 2013 – Audio Levels

Content:

Assignments

Class #15: Oct 28, 2013 – Audio FX

Content:

Assignments: Due Class #18

Team Project #2: Using all of the methods and objects we've discussed, create a large-scale multimedia presentation on a topic of interest to all team members. The duration of this presentation should be between 8-10 minutes. Be prepared to describe each team member's contribution to the project results.

Class #16: Oct 30, 2013 – Jitter – Jitter Input

Content:

Assignments

Class #17: Nov 4, 2013 – Jitter – FX

Content:

Assignments

Class #18: Nov 6, 2013 – Jitter Compositing

Content:

Assignments

Class #19: Nov 11, 2013 – OpenGL – Part 1

Content:

Assignments

Class #20: Nov 13, 2013 – OpenGL – Part 2

Content:

Assignment (due for final class - 11.19.2013):

Using all of the techniques we've covered in class and that you have found during your own exploration, create a multimedia (visual and sound) presentation of some historical event, character or movement. The duration should be between 5 and 8 minutes. You will be required to present this during the final class, so practice the presentation in advance!

• Undergraduate students: 
  Prepare a printed 3-5 page essay describing the historical item you are studying and how you are representing it in your program.

Graduate students: 

Prepare a printed 7-10 page essay describing the historical item you are referencing, the methods you are using to represent it, and both the positives and negative aspects of using coding/programming techniques to create the work. Be specific about areas where you are using artistic or technological ideas as conceptual cornerstones.