Algorithmic Mirror 1.1
By Luke Cyca
April 2005
lcyca@nutok.com
http://lukecyca.com

Description
***********************
The Algorithmic Mirror is designed as an art piece using computer media.
It is not intended to be useful in any way, but rather to be interesting,
thought provoking, and visually stimulating.

The setup consists of a software program running in fullscreen mode, and
a webcam.  When the viewer enters the webcam’s field of view, they will
see a mirror image of themselves on the screen.  What makes the algorithmic
mirror unique is the way in which the image is displayed.

Over a thousand particles are in constant motion on the screen.  When a
person or object enters the camera’s field of view, the particles arrange
themselves in order to show a vague silhouette version of the image.  The
result is like a sketch in motion.


Exhibitions
***********************
Algorithmic Mirror was on display at the National Exhibition Centre in
Swift Current, SK from February 19 to March 20, 2005.


Software Requirements
***********************
Mac OS X 10.4 or newer
iSight or compatible webcam (built-in ones work too)


Usage Instructions
***********************
The display should be set up that the camera is close to eye-level.  It
should be placed in such a location that the camera sees nothing but a
white background (ie: a wall) when nobody is standing in front of it.
If this wall can not be evenly lit, it should at least not have any sharp
changes in brightness (such as shadows).  If there is a slight gradient to
it, it will be fine. The camera works best when the background is bright
and the person standing in front it is comparably dark.

To see exactly what the camera is seeing, press the ‘g’ key.  Ideally, the 
person in the foreground will be at least 20% darker than the background.
To return to normal, press the ‘g’ key again. 

Test it by standing in front of the camera.  Within a few seconds, your
image should become visible as a silhouette made from moving particles.

After it has been running for a while without anyone standing in view of
the camera, particles should be evenly distributed around the screen.

Press ‘q’ to quit.


Implementation
***********************
The source is contained in the file "AlgMirror.java" and relies on
the Processing multimedia framework (http://processing.org/).

The implementation is based on a particle simulation optimized for
visual elegance (not correctness).  Be prepared for fudge factors!


License
***********************
Copyright (c) 2005, Luke Cyca
All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
    * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
    * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
    * Neither the name of the <organization> nor the
      names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products
      derived from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY Luke Cyca ``AS IS'' AND ANY
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL <copyright holder> BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Algorithmic Mirror is built on Processing which is distributed under the
LGPL.  The full text of the LGPL license is available at
http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/lgpl.html
See http://processing.org/faq.html for more information.
