Using an iPad as a 3D Input Controller
Here’s something that caught my eye: using an iPad as a multi-touch input controller for 3D modeling. Can someone hook that up with Blender, please?
Sunset
Here’s something that caught my eye: using an iPad as a multi-touch input controller for 3D modeling. Can someone hook that up with Blender, please?
Whoa. We’re living in the future, man!
You could also use Kinect for that. Imagine how sculpting with such tools will feel like!
Example (not mine): http://vimeo.com/16818988
EDIT (from description) : The code is under GNU GPL version 2 or 3.
Some time ago I had also some ideas for iPad with Blender. If you checkout the Making of Avatar on youtube you will see that James Cameron used some sort of virtual/analog camera to make virtual cams to act more in natural, handycam way. I think that after this bridge here was made, there are no big problems finaly to realise it. (Ok, of course besides the v-signal syncing between devices =)
unfortunately I have no time right now for such things, but if someone would like..
Since last year when I spoke on digital puppets at blender conference, I have been trying to do this!
The real key is the connection of 2.5’s RNA to OSC. I think that’s sufficient enough for now.
Fabian Fricke helped me realize that feature, and in its very early stages it works http://vimeo.com/13717513
Just imagine that combined with TouchOSC and you’ve got the right idea.
What those parameters are that are actually being controlled though I contest should be much more meaningful and interesting. And though I *did* buy an iPad, I can safely say that a big flat surface is not the end-all device for getting multiple simultaneous granular inputs because people like to interface with hardware in a lot of different ways, and really — if you’re trying to watch the computer screen (ie, Blender) for the conversion to animation you need something that is easy to understand without you looking at your hands. That’s why I chose a game controller, personally. But the iPad is great for sliders and dials and readouts (OSC goes both ways) of information. It’s all stuff I want to do.
If this one video has sparked the interest of any developers, I think they should talk to Fabian and myself. I can tell you first hand that OSC+2.5’s RNA would be FANTASTIC and darn it if I could only get it to work I could show you why in so many ways.
Get this working and Belnder will get very interesting indeed.
The iPad as a 3D controller seems like a contradiction in terms.
There are numerous true 3D controllers out there that speed up working in 3D and some support Blender (SpaceNavigator does I think).
Even if a PDA-like device were an option, I would prefer a Linux-based or other open-source system over the choking lock-in that Apple offers.
Even better: can’t we design the ultimate 3D-controller for Blender as an open-source hardware project?
@mastafrog
Using an iPhone as 3d orientation is a cool idea.
Rather expensive though, and not very handy when getting a call during shoot. ;)
And using a 600,= device as an input device seems a bit over the top to me.
Cool looking and pushing frontier barriers , but, you know, also useless and pricy.
Fun when you need to clay a 5 blobby blob.
The conversion from 2d to 3d does not seem to get easier with this.
The 5 dots seems to stay on the same 2d plane. That interface needs a lot of work until it get usefull.
I rather see a virtual keyboard ( hotkey preset pad ) on the iPad, or even a numpad on my touch for my laptop.
Who-s up for that? O wait. http://www.2dayblog.com/2008/11/20/turns-iphone-ipod-touch-into-numpad-for-your-notebook/
With maybe a history on screen or even macros stored. something like http://www.edovia.com/touchpad but with the keyboard layout for 2.49 / 2.55 and with configurable macro keys. There seems to be space left for often used keys and history listing and … stuff.
But only if you got one, I’m not going to buy one for it.
TomsT: Maybe via Android?
Why not instead of giving so much propaganda over the products for apple, give instead a look to this: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mgreen1992/aspectus-the-open-source-viewfinder-tablet , those guys need the support for creating a first prototype, please guys give support them either with money or ideas!
Why stop at two dimensions for input? I’m picturing a pressure-sensitive clay-like substance or assembly that would feed the 3d information to the computer. Maybe such a thing exists already.
Woah! I want 3d printer now! ))
I hope that 3d printers’ prices will become lower than 1000$ and materials will become cheaper.
@Wray Bowling
Hey, mating OSC to Blender sounds like fun, coz it means there could be more devices plugged to Blender. Think monome, novation launchpad…
@Scott
As long as Google isn’t going to meddle, okay.
@bo
I totally agree. Even if it doesn’t exist, I believe it could be done…
@Moolah
Won’t take more than a few years. And some open-source hardware 3D printers are cheaper than $1000 already!