Workshop: Working with Shaders in TouchDesigner header image

Workshop: Working with Shaders in TouchDesigner

TouchDesigner is rapidly becoming the de facto software for audiovisual performances, installations, projection mapping, and interactivity in experimental, artistic, and commercial projects. Its enormous flexibility and power come from its integration of a node-based programming paradigm, Python as a scripting language, GLSL, and much more.

This workshop focuses on understanding the principles and programming patterns using shaders in the TouchDesigner platform. Shaders are programs written specifically for the GPU, which can massively accelerate computations required in graphical and non-graphical applications. In this workshop, we will explore the idea of pixels as containers for data, beyond just elements to draw things on the screen, and study practical applications that you can later integrate into your projects.

  • šŸ“… July 1st, 13:00 - 17:00
  • šŸ“ Havenloods, Nijverheidsweg 6, Utrecht → VOGELFREI
  • šŸŽ« €40 (regular) / €20 (student)

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» The artist

Darien Brito is an audiovisual artist and creative coder, currently based in The Netherlands. He holds a BA in Composition from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and an MA from the Institute of Sonology.

From a musical background, Darien developed a strong interest in algorithms, computer graphics, micro-sound, generative art and complex systems. He taught himself several programming languages and got immersed in the creation of audio-visual experiences conducted by algorithmic processes.

Driven by a pragmatic approach and focusing on strong sensorial experiences, he has created work in a wide array of formats: from music for solo instruments, orchestra, electronics, theatre, film, opera and dance, to visual effects, interactive installations, live audiovisual performances and digital art.

He actively works as a programmer and consultant for other artists and is often involved in multidisciplinary collaborations using technology.

šŸ”§Ā Requirements

Touchdesigner knowledge

You must have at least an intermediate level to follow the session. That means you dominate the interface, understand how and why instancing works, and can comfortably move across data types in TouchDesigner. For example, you know how to transform TOPs to CHOPS and vice versa and have no problem referencing operators and channels. Furthermore, you must have some familiarity with a programming language. For example, you can do some scripting in Python, and know what a function, a loop, and a variable is. That being said: it is not as important that you are proficient with coding as it is that you LIKE to code.

Shaders knowledge (GLSL)

You may or may not have already experimented with shaders in the past. Either way is alright. I will cover the fundamentals and adjust the pace and content based on participants' reactions.

The workshop will focus on understanding how things work and why, not on formulas to get quick and nice-looking results. Expect to get your hands dirty from the beginning, make many mistakes, and be ready to ask questions and help your colleagues.

šŸ—Æļø Topics

I will keep things flexible, and we may cover various topics, from introductory to more advanced. That all depends on the general level and interest.

The following two subjects are mandatory:

  1. Parallel computations at the pixel level
  2. Writing visual effects on a fragment shader

While potential topics include:

  1. Manipulating geometry with a vertex shader
  2. Instancing and the rendering pipeline
  3. Writing a GPU particle system
  4. Understanding SDFs
  5. Fundamentals of ray-marching
  6. Creating a versatile ray-marching engine


šŸŽ’ Practicalities

  • Bring a computer running the latest version of TouchDesigner on Windows or Macintosh.
  • I highly recommend a three-button mouse with a scroll wheel.
  • Keep in mind:
    • The software should be installed and working on your computer before the workshop. Given our limited time, I will not wait for participants who have not done so.
    • This course has a no-cell phone policy. I expect you to turn off your device while attending. It is highly disruptive for the instructor and your colleagues if you are checking your phone screen. Please make arrangements so that you can be fully present (even if it implies the occasional boredom).
    • Last but not least, please be on time.

Start1 Jul 2023, 11:00
End1 Jul 2023, 15:00
locationVOGELFREI, Nijverheidsweg 6, 3534 AM Utrecht, 3534 AM, Utrecht
Price €40 (regular) / €20 (student)
Tickets
Shader Workshop by Cookie Collective
15 Nov 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Live Coding Jam with Cookie Collective
15 Nov 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Full Spectrum Chillout
12 Nov 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Queer Code Meetup
24 Oct 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Open Office Hours - October
20 Oct 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Creative Coding Essentials: p5.js for Beginners workshop
14 Oct 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Permacomputing Workshop: an Introduction to Nintendo DS Homebrew Hacking
23 Sept 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Permacomputing Meetup
21 Sept 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Open office hours - September
15 Sept 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Live Coding Meetup
12 Sept 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
UITfeest @CCU
10 Sept 2023
CCU Studio
, Vlampijpstraat 84
Workshop: Working with Shaders in TouchDesigner
1 Jul 2023
VOGELFREI
, Nijverheidsweg 6, 3534 AM Utrecht
Makers Meet & Eat 2023
24 Jun 2023
Centraal Museum, Utrecht
Digital Care: Remko Scha
17 Jun 2023
VOGELFREI
, Nijverheidsweg 6, 3534 AM Utrecht
Open office hours - June
16 Jun 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
TouchDesigner Meetup #3
15 Jun 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Processing Community Meetup
25 May 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Open office hours - May
19 May 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Registers of Code
28 Apr 2023
Orgelpark, Amsterdam
Hybrid Acoustics
23 Apr 2023
Nicolaikerk
Algorave at TivoliVredenburg | Pandora
22 - 23 Apr 2023
TivoliVredenburg
, Vredenburgkade 11
Immersed In Code
21 Apr 2023
Former Pieter Baan Centrum
, Gansstraat 162
Alternative Algorithms
20 Apr 2023
EKKO
Choreographic Coding
19 Apr 2023
Het Huis Utrecht
International Conference on Live Coding
19 - 23 Apr 2023
UTRECHT
TouchDesigner meetup
6 Apr 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Workshop Volumetric Data
1 Apr 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Open office hours - March
17 Mar 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Open office hours - February
17 Feb 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
TouchDesigner meetup
2 Feb 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Masterclass Audiovisual composition in TouchDesigner with Grigory Gromov
21 Jan 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Open office hours - January
20 Jan 2023
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
10 - 11 December: Workshops for youngsters
10 - 11 Dec 2022
VOGELFREI
, Nijverheidsweg 6, 3534 AM Utrecht
10 December: Algorave
10 - 11 Dec 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
9 December: A/V Performances
9 Dec 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
8 & 9 December: Creative Coding Symposium ITERATIONS
8 - 9 Dec 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
8 December: Movienight in collab with Hoogt on Tour & LIMA
8 Dec 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
7 - 11 December: Exhibition
7 - 11 Dec 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
ART MACHINES 2022
7 - 11 Dec 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Night of the Prompts
28 Oct 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Workshop ReCoding: Speed of Sound
24 - 25 Sept 2022
De Havenloods, Utrecht
Artist Talk: Edwin van der Heide
23 Sept 2022
De Havenloods, Utrecht
Sublunary w/ Shoal, David Hülsken & Luna Ludmila
11 Sept 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Makers Meet & Eat 2022
3 Sept 2022
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Roco-Coding: Live Coding event
3 Sept 2022
TivoliVredenburg
, Vredenburgkade 11
GARDENING By Night
29 Jul 2022
Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd
, Koningslaan 9
Walkshop: Co-mapping Amelisweerd
15 Jul 2022
Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd
, Koningslaan 9
Movie night: Descending the Mountain
30 Jun 2022
De Veldkeuken, Bunnik
GARDENING Side programme
1 Jun - 30 Jul 2022
Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd
, Koningslaan 9
GARDENING Amelisweerd
27 May - 1 Aug 2022
Koningslaan 9, 3981 HD Bunnik
Math Ex Finissage: NFT Auction
6 Mar 2022
NAR cafe der kunsten
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Math Ex Closing Panel Discussion
6 Mar 2022
NAR cafe der kunsten
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Pre-celebration of International Women's Day
5 Mar 2022
NAR cafe der kunsten
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Math Ex Music Night
4 Mar 2022
NAR cafe der kunsten
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Math Ex Workshop: How to Mint & Tax NFTs?
4 Mar 2022
NAR cafe der kunsten
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Math Ex Panel Discussion: NFTs; Beyond The Drama
3 Mar 2022
NAR cafe der kunsten
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Math Expressionism Opening
3 Mar 2022
NAR cafe der kunsten
, Nijverheidsweg 6
REGISTERS OF CODE ~ The humxn machine as an organist of the 21st century
12 Feb 2022
Orgelpark
, Gerard Brandtstraat 28
Co-creating alternative 'zero-waste' urban imaginaries: Sharing experiences & practices
17 Dec 2021
Online
Meetup Yin-Gemis; A meetup about women in tech, and the lack thereof
12 Oct 2021
Hof van Cartesius
, Vlampijpstraat 94
Live coding meetup & jam
28 Sept 2021
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6
Makers Meet & Eat 2021
19 Sept 2021
RAUM, Berlijnplein, Utrecht
ALG0MA5
11 Sept 2021 - 12 Sept 2020
De Nijverheid
Cultuurterras Weekender w. Uncloud, Modulation & CCU
4 Sept 2021
De Nijverheid
AI HACKING: Adversarial Attacks - Meetup & Workshop
26 Aug 2021
The Havenloods
, Nijverheidsweg 6