URCAD Sneak Peek: High Definition Real Time Zoetrope

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 09:43:47 -0400

High Definition Real Time Zoetrope (HDRTZ)
Presenters: Sam Herring, JD Byron, Silas Dunigan, Matt Vermont

You can see it at URCAD Online, starting April 22nd!

Abstract:

The High Definition Real-Time Zoetrope (HDRTZ) was designed and constructed to take a stationary artwork and rotate it via image processing to create the illusion of animation. The system was developed as part of the 2019-2020 Computer Engineering Capstone course. The HDRTZ was created in collaboration with UMBC professor and artist Eric Dyer, who created the artwork and helped design the system. The HDRTZ samples a camera feed and rotate the image via software running on the NVIDIA TX2. The image rotation is controlled by an external crank that outputs a voltage proportional to its input. The software then uses rotational algorithms to rotate the image appropriately based on the voltage produced by the crank. Simultaneously, an audio track is sampled at a rate proportional to the crank input to add further interactivity to the art. The system was configured and initialized through an external web application responsible for the centering and masking of the displayed image. The HDRTZ is intended to be installed in a public setting, so the system was designed to be simple enough that an unfamiliar user can quickly figure out how to interact with it.

Mentors: Eric Dyer, Visual Arts, UMBC; Charles LaBerge, CSEE, UMBC

Come see the HD zoetrope and other undergraduate research and creative work, April 22-29th at URCAD.umbc.edu!