Controlling the Convolution Filter Parameters of Visual Assets
Photoshop, Flash, and After Effects practitioners will recognize the specific filters and controls demonstrated in this post. In fact, these are iconic Convolution Filters within various digital image editing applications.
Using the provided controls a user is able to discreetly invoke four different Convolution Filters and adjust particular parameters-control of which is provided by the accompanying slider. On the Blur Filter and Glow Filter the amount (radius) of the blur is variable while the quality (number of iterations) is static. On the Drop Shadow Filter the distance of the shadow is variable, and on the Bevel Filter the apparent depth of the Bevel (effected using displaced and contrasted Gradients) is variable.
These capabilities are not simply "artistic controls" of aesthetic value only: they can be used to make photographs and various graphics more communicative-to carry a greater cognitive impact. Often, the ability to quantify and animate these manipulations makes for forensically defensible persuasive artifacts with significant communicative advantages.
The entire matter really distills that these functionalities are controllable not only via the Sliders I have provided, but as explained in previous posts (1, 2):
They can be controlled by a wide variety of parameters including:
- Mouse position;
- Mouse movement direction;
- Mouse movement speed;
- Mouse button clicks;
- Keyboard input;
- Time of day;
- Touch screen input;
- Voice commands and other audio artifacts;
- Latitude and/or longitude;
- Device orientation (many have accelerometers...);
- Device movement;
- Interactive devices such as buttons or selections.
The point is that interactive visualization is engaging and makes visual artifacts more communicative: interactivity devoted to support a specific cognitive impact is engaging and persuasive. Interactivity that is rapid to produce and economical-particularly within Commercial Real Estate, Litigation Exhibits, Public Relations, Construction, Engineering, and Education industries-is highly desirable.
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