This week was mainly for final modifications and updates to the Processing visualization sketch so that I could get everything ready for print and presentation on Friday. That being said I still needed to research a little on techniques for capturing frames and exporting them in vector format.
Research and Inspiration
Like I mentioned above the main topic that I needed to research was PDF capture. This was a little more difficult that I had expected due to the use of the P3D Processing renderer. I went through several example sketches with varying results but was luckily able to find something that worked in the end. Most of this was done by using the reference and example pages on Processing.org.
Process and Progress
Over the weekend the main process was to collect final field data. This included finishing the final “wearable” setup and using the device on battery-power to collect data from each individual’s run.
After the boots were all hooked up the first time it was time for a test run. I walked around for a few minutes with the device running off the LiPo just to make sure everything was working properly and came back to my computer to check the datafile. Everything worked as it was supposed to. Time for a real test run on the slopes. I took a quick run (35 minutes or so including the chairlift up) and came back to my computer to check the data. Unfortunately, one of the wires for the FSR on my left foot came undone. The data was not usable. I made some quick tweaks and went out for another run. This time it was successful!! I had one run down and now it was time to share the fun with some of my friends. The next three runs were taken with a separate individual wearing the sensors. We are all snowboarders so it was interesting to look at the different numbers coming in from all of our runs.
Now that I had the data it was time to put it all into Processing and visualize it! I put the CSV for my run into the program and ran it. I was not happy with how everything looked so I decided to alter the visualization algorithm. Once I fine tuned everything and got the color scheme and amplittude range I wanted I went ahead and brought in the data for the other individuals. It was very satisfying seeing the difference between each run. A successful project in my opinion. Although the visualizations are aesthetically beautiful it is difficult to pinpoint the difference between the riders’ style.
Once I saved some frames from each rider I combined them onto one sheet so they could be printed. I had originally intended to print each frame on a separate piece of paper but I found that there was a better connection when they were all on one page.
Reflection
I’m super happy with how everything came out. I know without a doubt that I learned a lot in the midst of this project and I’m extremely excited about that. I have new skills in new areas of practice that I never had before. I feel confident in these skills and can’t wait for the next project to level them up even more. Areas I’m most excited to continue working in are creative coding and physical computing.
With regard to things that could have gone better, I know that my circuit building could move away from a prototyping form factor. There wasn’t really a need to keep using a breadboard but it was something that made me comfortable in case anything small went wrong. I knew I could fix it. I also really underestimated the thought that goes into making a device battery powered. This truly was an issue when I was out in the field and I’m sure there are several ways I could have set it up to mitigate these issues. While I’m happy with the visual aesthetic of the coded visualization there is something lacking in my opinion. An element of decipherability perhaps… I know that there are probably different ways to visualize this data that could reinforce the difference in pressure among the sample individuals. I intend to keep working with the code and the data to create sketches that visualize the information in a more digestible and comparative way.
Deliverables