Fragment:Flow 1.4.2 is now available from the download section of your account.
About Fragment:Flow
Welcome to the official home of Fragment:Flow. Fragment:Flow is an advanced audio-visual platform developed by Rhizome78 using Cycling 74’s Max 8. Harnessing the power of GLSL shaders, the software’s sophisticated processing chain is capable of transforming images and video into unique and arresting works of art in real-time.
From organic, painterly flows to wild and chaotic glitch, Fragment:Flow is capable of extraordinary variety. Virtually every parameter can be modulated in realtime by live audio, a collection of versatile LFOs or hooked up to midi/OSC, making it an ideal tool for live performers, VJs and installation artists. It is capable of both broadcasting and recieving GL textures and is therefore easily integrated with software such as TouchDesigner, Resolume and Processing. Its comprehensive OSC implementation allows for control data to be sent from software such as Max, Pure Data, Ableton Live and TouchOSC.
Fragment:Flow is designed with extensibility in mind and it is our hope that it will become a popular distribution platform for future shader packs. Moreover, users who also program with Max or ISF can write and install their own custom .jxs/isf files (please see docs for methods and limitations).
Fragment:Flow is currently available as a Windows standalone and uses Spout to share GL textures.
INPUTS
Fragment:Flow has 2 main input slots, each of which can host a video or image file, a live video stream or a Spout texture. Users can mix and match these methods and cross-fade between the 2 inputs at will, or use Photoshop style blend modes to mix the two.
Additionally, 2 subsequent alpha channel slots are dedicated to material containing transparency data, such as animated gifs or png files (useful for overlays/logos etc).
Usable file types include: mp4, avi, mov, jpg, bmp, png, gif, pict. Live streams can be fed to Fragment:Flow from any installed video digitizer or webcam.
OUTPUT
Users have full control over both the texture resolution and the display window’s size and position, making it ideal for installations or projections that require uncommon dimensions. Fragment:Flow has been optimised to take full advantage of modern GPUs, so provided that the user’s hardware meets the recommended specifications, high resolutions of 2k and above at 60 fps are achievable.
* One important limitation to note is that an additional capture solution is required to record the output. For the very best results we recommended an Atomos or similar device, but a software solution such as OBS or routing to an external recording app via Spout can also yield satisfactory results (hardware permitting).
“White Stripes” shader : variations
live a/v
With its real-time modulation sources, audio-responsiveness and extensive midi/OSC implementation, Fragment:Flow is the perfect tool for VJs, musical performers and installation artists.
production tool
Fragment:Flow's complex processing chain can alter source material in the most subtle or dramatic of ways, making it a versatile and inspiring tool for video production (capture device/additional software required).
“Black Ink” shader
“Black Ink Decimate” – abstract
“Video Trails” shader – New to Fragment:Flow 1,1
Custom Alpha Masks and Painting modes – New to Fragment:Flow 1.4 & 1,4.1
VERSATILE EFFECTS CHAIN
Aside from the transformative and generative capabilities of the core shaders, Fragment:Flow’s chain of pre and post shader effect slots represents a versatile framework in its own right. Users can bypass the central shader altogether and apply these effects in any order using a range of Photoshop-style blend modes.
Effects in the ever growing library include sobel edge detection, animated pixelation and displacement effects, blurs, color grading and more. As with the core shaders, installing future effects will be a simple matter of dropping the relevant files into the corresponding application folders. Photographers and artists can export high quality images with a click of a button and, in combination with a suitable capture device, film makers and video artists will find Fragment:Flow to be a unique, tactile and inspiring production tool.
Example: Real-time IR filter/Aerochrome film emulation shader
Examples: Pixelation, sobel edge detection, emboss, chromatic aberration, color grading, glitch and ripple effects
ISF SHADER SUPPORT*
Thanks to the excellent Max ISF package from Vidvox, Fragment:Flow also supports the use of ISF shaders in its various FX slots. Fragment:Flow doesn’t ship with any ISF files, but users can acquire a large collection of excellent effects and the means to write your own by installing the Vidvox ISF Editor from here. Fragment:Flow expects ISF files to be installed in the standard location of OS drive:/ProgramData/ISF/. Installing the editor will automatically create and populate this folder and Fragment:Flow should find newly installed effects on its next launch. Shaders can also be downloaded from the Interactive Shader Format website. Sincere thanks to Vidvox for making the format freely available to the A/V community.
*Note: At present Fragment:Flow only supports filter/processing type ISF shaders rather than generative ones, but a full ISF implementation is planned for future versions.
GUI
Fragment:Flow’s GUI has been designed to be as focused and as accessible as possible. Particular emphasis has been placed on its usability in both performance and production contexts, with a robust preset storing system which allows users to prepare and recall their visuals to the finest detail.
Fragment:Flow features 4 versatile LFOs, but the comprehensive Midi and OpenSoundControl implementation will also allow users to devise their own hardware or software based modulation schemes. A number of extensions are planned for the future, such as timeline and sequence based controller apps.
The 3 editable filters can be used to isolate frequency ranges from incoming audio or a sound file. Each filter generates its own stream of data which can be assigned to multiple parameters and scaled independently.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Fragment:Flow is a demanding piece of software that requires a powerful computer to run smoothly. We can’t guarantee its performance or stability on systems significantly weaker than the following:
CPU: A fast, modern multi-core processor (ie i7 7700 equivalent or better)
RAM: 16 gb
GPU: Nvidia GPU – GTX 1060 6GB or equivalent (preferably better, 60fps at 4K confirmed on a GTX 1070 and above). There are some issues on AMD cards which I’m currently investigating, so only Nvidia is recommended at the moment.
OS: Windows 10, 64-bit
DISPLAY: 1920 x 1080p minimum (GUI scaling feature up to 4K)
NETWORK: Internet access for activation.
SOFTWARE PREREQUISITES:
Fragment:Flow requires that the Java Runtime Environment and Visual C++ Redistributable Packages 2013 are installed on your system:
https://www.java.com/en/download/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=40784
