In the fast-paced world of digital arts and interactive design, tools like Move AI (Move One), ZigSim Pro, and reality capture apps such as Luma, PolyCam, and Reality Scan have become indispensable for many creatives. These applications have transformed the way we interact with reality and incorporate it into our digital projects, enabling us to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
As the landscape of digital tools continues to evolve, so do the opportunities to enhance our workflows. Today, we explore four innovative iOS apps—MetaGrid Pro, Pantone Studio, Magicplan, and Luna Display—that are poised to elevate your TouchDesigner projects to new heights.
MetaGrid Pro
MetaGrid Pro is an app that serves as a powerful alternative to TouchOSC, particularly for creatives who need a highly customizable control interface.
Unlike traditional control apps, MetaGrid Pro allows users to design and utilize complex grid layouts that can trigger multiple actions across various applications simultaneously, making it invaluable in time-sensitive scenarios where efficiency is key.
The free version includes pre-configured grids for essential software like Ableton Live, Lightroom, Logic, and Final Cut Pro, along with an open grid for configuring custom actions. This versatility makes MetaGrid Pro an asset for managing workflows across multiple platforms.
For those new to the app, a good starting point is to set up simple grids that manage basic functions in TouchDesigner. As you become more comfortable with the interface, you can experiment with more intricate setups, linking MetaGrid Pro to multiple applications for a more seamless and efficient workflow.
Pantone Studio
For designers who demand precise color control, Pantone Studio offers an invaluable tool that transforms your iOS device into a powerful color-matching assistant.
Although the full sized app offers only a seven-day free trial, its ‘basic’ version still provides access to a limited but useful range of Pantone color swatches, making it helpful in various design contexts.
Pantone Studio is especially valuable for projects where color harmony is critical, such as blending installations with existing architectural elements or ensuring consistency between digital designs and physical sets or costumes. The full app offers access to the entire Pantone color library, allowing you to match and manipulate colors directly on your device, ensuring accuracy and consistency in your creative work.
With built-in tools for experimenting with color harmonies, Pantone Studio makes it easier to develop cohesive color palettes that can be applied in TouchDesigner projects. To get started, simply capture colors from your surroundings using your iOS device and match them with Pantone’s extensive library, creating color palettes that enhance the visual appeal of your digital designs.
Magicplan
Magicplan is another standout app, particularly for installation artists and event designers who need to quickly create and share detailed floor plans.
Though the app is designed with the home renovation industry in mind, it easily provides value to the immersive event planning process as well.
Magicplan simplifies the process of generating accurate floor plans. Its compatibility with newer iPhones equipped with LiDAR scanners, as well as Bluetooth laser measurers ensures precise spatial mapping. Additionally, Magicplan allows you to include photos, videos, and 360-degree annotations within the plans, making it easy to capture and share detailed environmental data with team members. (Note: 360-degree capture requires additional equipment.)
Magicplan’s ability to produce detailed, shareable plans that can be integrated with TouchDesigner makes it an excellent tool for planning installations and visualizing the layout of equipment. The app’s collaborative features allow team members to visualize and adjust space layouts in real-time, ensuring precision and compatibility.
Consider trying it during an early walkthrough to capture comprehensive scans of the environment. By taking leveraging Magicplan’s measurement tools, you can ensure that your TouchDesigner setups are perfectly aligned with the physical space you’re working in.
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These templates shed light into the most useful and sometimes obtuse features of TouchDesigner.
They’re designed to be immediately applicable for the complete TouchDesigner beginner, while also providing inspiration for the advanced user.
Luna Display
Luna Display offers a unique solution for creatives who need additional screen real estate without the hassle of bulky hardware.
By transforming your iPad or iMac into a second display for your Mac, Luna Display provides a portable and efficient way to expand your workspace. This feature is particularly beneficial for managing complex TouchDesigner projects, where having an extra screen can greatly enhance productivity.
The app’s seamless integration and minimal latency make it an ideal tool for live performances and presentations, where real-time interaction and control are crucial. Additionally, Luna Display supports touch functionality and Apple Pencil, adding a tactile element to your digital creations.
For iMac users seeking full resolution displays beyond the 4K limit that AirPlay provides, Luna Display delivers unparalleled quality. Its Headless and Teleprompter Modes also offer extra functionality, particularly useful for live events or creative workflows that require screen sharing or direct interaction.
Incorporating Luna Display into your workflow can significantly enhance your setup. During live events, the app allows you to interact with your designs via the iPad, adding immediacy and responsiveness to your projects.
Wrap Up
Integrating mobile apps into your TouchDesigner workflow can unlock new levels of creativity and efficiency. The four apps introduced here each offer unique features that can enhance your projects in creative and powerful ways.
By experimenting with these tools and adapting them to your creative processes, you can expand the possibilities of what’s achievable in the realm of interactive and immersive digital art.
