how to create a 4 screen filmprojection

[Jerry Thompson]

Wow. This is exactly what I’m looking for. I am currently creating a similar project for a final assessment at the University of Wales, Newport. The multi-screen projection program is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I just have one more question that you guys might be able to help me on. I’m adding an interactive element to my 5 projector installation. We will be using 2 sensors that will trigger 2 separate endings, the users choose. Is there anyway the multi-screen projection software can wire into Max/Msp. Any useful hints or ideas on how this can be coded?

Thanks alot, this post has already been of great help.

Jerry Thompson

[Thomas Leong]

Two sensors triggering a different ending each, raises the following questions-

1. How is each sensor triggered? – via audience movement, or passing a laser barrier, or push buttons, or ??? To be able to trigger 2 different endings, it would seem that your show would have to branch to one of two different files or timelines. But more importantly, each trigger must send a different signal, else Max/Msp would not know which to trigger. Generally, I would think that hard industrial buttons are easier and more decisive for this – audience to push the button they want – to ensure the correct signal is being sent. This is the only ‘interactive’ part I presume.

2. Depends on Max/Msp being able to accept triggers – usually via RS232 into the PC runnng Max/Msp. Other acceptable ways of triggering are using DMX and Midi but I would think that RS232 is the most common especially since most PC motherboards have an RS232 built in. Most, but not all.

I’m not familiar with Max/Msp, but with my AvStumpfl Wings, I would ‘Pause’ my Timeline at the appropriate moment in the show with a prompt to the audience to select a button, then wait for a ‘Play’ signal via RS232. Then program one button to send an RS232 signal that would ‘Play Timeline 1 from Marker 1’, and the other button to send an RS232 signal that would ‘Play Timeline 1 from Marker 2’, in order to trigger the required ending.

As a safety feature, I would have the non-activated button disabled for the X amount of minutes + a safe 10 seconds when the other is activated (or both buttons de-activated to be ultra safe) in case children start pushing this and that whilst one ending is playing.

Another safety feature to think about is to activate the buttons for selection only at the appropriate moment. I mean one would not want anyone to push a button and have the show stop its play mid-way and jump to the selected ending at an inappropriate time!

Thomas Leong