Cheng Chien-Wen

I just found a great art work done in Max/MSP.

I am a composer but I am interested in doing interactive video projection like this. I know Max/MSP for years and also know some basic skills of Jitter. But I do not know C, C++, Java, Openframeworks, or Processing. I was wondering what language I need to learn next to achieve this more easily.

Currently I start to learn java because I got no help for modifying MSAFluid code to work with jit.cv and MSAFluid is written in Java. But I am afraid it requires years of learning and extensive knowledge about math, physics, and programming computer graphics to be able to modify MSAFluid code to suit this purpose.

I still identify myself as a composer and do not want to become a computer science professional or researcher, having no time to compose and create arts. I was wodnering if similar porjects are something too difficult to achieve for those who only know Max/MSP/Jitter. Is java the best choice to extend Max/MSP/Jitter for those who just start learning "real" programing languages? Will there be some possibilites that fluid externals or abstractions can be developed by cycling74 or other computer scientists for easier control in Max/MSP/Jitter regarding the modular structure of Max/MSP/Jitter itself ?

Please share your opinions with me regarding the questions mentioned above. Thanks.

I just found a great art work done in Max/MSP.
http://vimeo.com/3351088

I am a composer but I am interested in doing interactive video projection like this. I know Max/MSP for years and also know some basic skills of Jitter. But I do not know C, C++, Java, Openframeworks, or Processing. I was wondering what language I need to learn next to achieve this more easily. 

I still identify myself as a composer and do not want to become a computer science professional or researcher, having no time to compose and create arts. I was wodnering if similar porjects are something too difficult to achieve for those who only know Max/MSP/Jitter. Is java the best choice to extend Max/MSP/Jitter for those who just start learning "real" programing languages? Will there be some possibilites that fluid externals or abstractions can be developed by cycling74 or other computer scientists for easier control in Max/MSP/Jitter regarding the modular structure of Max/MSP/Jitter itself ?   

Please share your opinions with me regarding the questions mentioned above. Thanks.


what-do-i-need-to-learn-to-achieve-this

i guess until someone with more experience answers... from my personal experience learning mostly C and now moving to C++, although I have little Java experience, i can tell you that whenever I've tried Java, I've found it the easiest to learn and use(probably why I haven't become more experienced at it: it's easy to figure out what you want very quickly at least from my point of view).

So I would try starting with Java and perhaps even Processing(it's java based).

The video description mentions "newtonian physics, cellular automata, electromagnetic forces and fluid dynamics."

Yes, these are all somewhat advanced, but there are so many examples of these things in every environment/language that you don't necessarily need to get years of schooling in them to be able to modify and implement what already exists out there.

These days and more so in the future(i'm willing to bet), the line between composer and developer(and perhaps even an infinite amount of other disciplines) is being blurred more and more(what we all do is known as 'digital art', at least that's what i call it, others call it 'new media' but this can be misleading as that would also include things like taking a styrofoam box and bowing it with a violin bow to produce a sound or anything not yet tried like that; this coming from someone who has an M.F.A. in 'NewMedia/MusicComposition' from CalArts... i think they may have changed the name by now, though.... i've digressed....). In any case, don't get so hung up on a set identity. You will free yourself to much more that way and as long as you love to compose and create art, you will do so no matter what else you learn.

Anyways, give it a try! And best of luck.

The video description mentions "newtonian physics, cellular automata, electromagnetic forces and fluid dynamics."
Yes, these are all somewhat advanced, but there are so many examples of these things in every environment/language that you don't necessarily need to get years of schooling in them to be able to modify and implement what already exists out there.

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*Never fear, Noob4Life was never here!*


I would recommend you to be specific about what you want to learn. If you go for a language like java or c++ you can spend a lifetime learning it. In the case you want to work with java-jitter i would recommend you to learn processing using an external IDE like eclipse. That way you can play with the 'guts' of the library. Processing is an extraordinary learning tool and has a very straight forward visual implementation. Here i posted a very simple template to start porting processing code into jitter:

https://cycling74.com/forums/java-in-max-the-easy-way

Maybe start by porting the very basic examples and try to write as many small programs as possible addressing the topics you are interested on(drawing a cluster of lines, a vector trajectory, etc.). Don't reinvent the wheel because it is not efficient.

MSAFluid is an external library so the best way to understand it is to explore its java archives(jars).

Java is easier to use and compile than C, but less efficient in terms of speed.

My advice: get specific and then gather the resources you need for achieving your goals. Clearer you are more help you can get from the forum.

MSAFluid is an external library so the best way to understand it is to explore its java archives(jars). 

Java is easier to use and compile than C, but less efficient in terms of speed. 

What do I need to learn to achieve this ?