TouchDesigner to Lights

Connect TouchDesigner's visual outputs to Spectralite via NDI for generative and data-driven lighting control.

Overview

TouchDesigner is a node-based visual programming environment for real-time interactive multimedia content. By sending TouchDesigner's output to Spectralite via NDI, you can create sophisticated generative lighting systems that respond to data, sensors, and generative algorithms.

What You'll Need

• TouchDesigner (commercial or non-commercial license)
• Network connection between TouchDesigner and Spectralite
• Spectralite running on the same network

Quick Start

1. Add NDI Out TOP in TouchDesigner
2. Connect your composition to NDI Out
3. Enable the stream in Spectralite
4. Create reactive effects using the NDI data

Setting Up NDI in TouchDesigner

Step 1: Add NDI Out TOP

1. Open your TouchDesigner project
2. Add an NDI Out TOP operator to your network
3. Connect your visual output to the NDI Out TOP input
4. The NDI stream starts automatically when enabled

Step 2: Configure NDI Out TOP

In the NDI Out TOP parameters:

• NDI Name: Set a descriptive name (e.g., "TouchDesigner-Main")
• Active: Enable to start transmission
• Resolution: Set output resolution (720p recommended)
• Pixel Format: RGBA or RGB (RGBA if you need alpha channel)

Step 3: Verify Output

1. Check the Info DAT in TouchDesigner to verify streaming
2. Look for network activity indicator
3. Monitor frame rate in the performance monitor

For detailed configuration, see TouchDesigner's NDI Out TOP documentation.

Connecting to Spectralite

Enable NDI in Spectralite

1. Open Spectralite
2. Go to Edit > Inputs
3. Enable NDI input enabled
4. Enable Auto-discover sources
5. Select your TouchDesigner stream from the dropdown
6. Verify the connection status shows as connected

Using TouchDesigner in Spectralite

There are two ways to use TouchDesigner's output in your lighting:

Quick Start: Built-in NDI Layer

For immediate use, add an NDI layer directly to your timeline:

1. In the Timeline panel, click the + button to add a layer
2. Select the built-in NDI effect
3. TouchDesigner's output will control your lighting immediately

This is the fastest way to connect TouchDesigner to your lighting.

Advanced: Custom Effects with NDI Nodes

For more complex control over how TouchDesigner affects your lighting:

1. Open the Node Editor
2. Create a new effect or edit an existing one
3. Add an NDI Input node to sample video data from TouchDesigner
4. Connect it to other nodes to create custom generative lighting effects

This gives you full control over how TouchDesigner's generative output influences your lighting.

Optimization for Performance

In TouchDesigner

• Reduce resolution of NDI output (720p typically sufficient)
• Optimize render networks to maintain frame rate
• Use Limit TOP to cap network dimensions
• Consider GPU memory when creating large textures

Network Setup

• Use wired Ethernet for reliability
• Gigabit network recommended for HD
• Keep systems on same subnet
• Monitor bandwidth usage in TouchDesigner

In Spectralite

• Sample at appropriate resolution for your needs
• Simplify effects when using complex NDI sources
• Use lower sample rates for non-critical elements

Common Workflows

Generative Lighting System

Autonomous lighting driven by algorithms:

1. Create generative networks (noise, feedback, particles) in TouchDesigner
2. Use parameters to control behavior
3. Output to Spectralite via NDI
4. Lighting evolves organically based on algorithms

Sensor-Reactive Installation

Physical sensors control lighting via TouchDesigner:

1. Connect sensors to TouchDesigner (OSC, MIDI, serial, etc.)
2. Process sensor data into visual patterns
3. Send to Spectralite via NDI
4. Lighting responds to environmental input

Audiovisual Performance

Synchronized audio-reactive visuals and lighting:

1. Analyze audio in TouchDesigner
2. Generate reactive visuals
3. Send same visual data to Spectralite
4. Perfect synchronization between visuals and lights

Data Visualization

Transform data into lighting:

1. Fetch data in TouchDesigner (weather, social media, analytics)
2. Visualize as colors, patterns, or spatial data
3. Output to Spectralite
4. Lighting becomes a data display medium

Advanced Techniques

Multi-Output Setup

Send multiple TouchDesigner outputs:

1. Add multiple NDI Out TOPs for different compositions
2. Name each descriptively (e.g., "TD-Zone1", "TD-Zone2")
3. Use different streams for different fixture groups
4. Create complex multi-zone lighting systems

Alpha Channel Control

Use transparency for intensity control:

1. Include alpha channel in NDI output (RGBA format)
2. Sample alpha values in Spectralite
3. Control fixture intensity based on alpha
4. Create fade effects based on transparency

CHOP-to-Color Mapping

Use TouchDesigner CHOPs for direct control:

1. Create CHOP networks for control data
2. Convert to TOP (colors) for NDI transmission
3. Each pixel represents a fixture or parameter
4. Precise control using TouchDesigner's data processing

Instancing for Complex Patterns

Use geometry instancing in TouchDesigner:

1. Create instance positions/colors in TOPs
2. Render instances to texture
3. Send to Spectralite via NDI
4. Each instance maps to a fixture

Troubleshooting

Stream Not Appearing

1. Verify NDI Out TOP is Active
2. Check both systems on same network
3. Verify firewall allows NDI (port 5353 for discovery)
4. Check NDI Out TOP Info DAT for errors

Frame Rate Issues

1. Optimize TouchDesigner network (use Performance Monitor)
2. Reduce NDI output resolution
3. Lower Cook Rate on NDI Out TOP if real-time isn't critical
4. Check GPU usage in Task Manager

Network Latency

1. Use wired Ethernet connection
2. Reduce output resolution
3. Limit TOP the network before NDI Out
4. Monitor network with Network Performance window

Color Accuracy

1. Match color space settings (sRGB typical)
2. Check gamma in rendering chain
3. Verify pixel format (RGBA vs RGB)

Integration Tips

OSC Control

Control both applications simultaneously:

1. Send OSC to TouchDesigner for visuals
2. Send OSC to Spectralite for direct control
3. Use TouchDesigner as OSC router/processor
4. Create unified control system

MIDI Synchronization

Sync both applications to MIDI:

1. MIDI to TouchDesigner via MIDI In CHOP
2. MIDI to Spectralite for direct control
3. TouchDesigner processes MIDI for complex behaviors
4. Lighting follows both direct and processed data

Time-Based Control

Use timeline-based control in both:

1. TouchDesigner Timeline COMP for sequences
2. Coordinate with Spectralite's timeline
3. Pre-program synchronized shows
4. Combine with live improvisation

Resources

• TouchDesigner NDI Out TOP Documentation - Official operator reference
• General NDI Setup - Generic NDI workflow
• Node Editor - Create NDI-reactive effects

Related Guides

• Resolume to Lights
• VDMX to Lights