Join us for a 2-day, 12 hour intermediate workshop aimed at TouchDesigner practitioners ready to explore the vast possibilities of the new POP family. This workshop covers foundational knowledge on Point Operators looking at how to utilize attributes to modify and animate complex, gpu-accelerated setups.
Lessons will dive into advanced techniques focusing on point clouds, particle systems, DMX fixture control with POPs, and GLSL scripting.
Aside from follow-along guided exercises, this workshop will also give opportunity for self-directed exploration aided by direct support of Derivative staff.
Markus Heckmann and Ben Voigt from Derivative will be your instructors for the workshop.
Core POP Concepts
- Fundamentals of Point Operators
- Essential POPs and their practical applications
Point Clouds and Particle Systems
- Modifying and animating point clouds
- Building and animating particle systems
- Simple simulations
Advanced Techniques
- DMX fixture control with POPs
- Tips and techniques with GLSL POPs
This is Intermediate level. You should be familiar with all the concepts covered in TouchDesigner Fundamentals Course. If you are not familiar with any of them, it is recommended you study them before the workshop.
Intermediate level assumes you understand how to use all the node families, how to navigate the interface, and how to make connections between operators and parameters. The agenda will move fast and deal with many non-beginner topics, it is recommended for those who have used TouchDesigner 1 year or more.
This workshop is hands-on and students are required to bring:
- Windows laptop with Nvidia or AMD GPU, or MacBook 2020 or newer with Apple Silicon ie. M1 or better (System Requirements - contact organizer if unsure)
- TouchDesigner 2025 is required - Download Here. Please confirm you can run TouchDesigner 2025 before signing up for the workshop.
- Mouse with 2-buttons and scroll wheel is required
If you have any questions please contact us first.
Markus Heckmann
Markus Heckmann studied media technology at the TU Ilmenau and the Bauhaus University Weimar, before he started his work as Technical Director at Derivative in 2006.
In his artistic work he combines the aesthetics of generative computer graphics with the physical properties of light. For his performances Markus uses Derivative's TouchDesigner to develop new visual instruments, which allow him to perform live improvised with the music. The visual worlds created in this way are far removed from any representation but bring the medium itself to dream. Colors, shapes and movements draw imaginary spaces that he explores and documents with virtuosity. The work of art is created in the same moment in which it is viewed.
Ben Voigt
Ben Voigt is Product Manager at Derivative where he designs, develops, and deploys TouchDesigner as part of the R&D team. Ben also spends much of his time on education and support to forward people's understanding of TouchDesigner, staying engaged with the community wherever he goes.
With a background in Computer Science and a personal passion for real-time graphics and gaming, he discovered Derivative in 2002 where the combination of experimental graphics, real-time programming, and working with visual artists was a perfect fit. Now dividing his time between Toronto and Kyoto, he enjoys exploring the different creative approaches and sensibilities they offer.
