Synapse

Synapse was initially a Unity-based HLSL raymarching shader that became an exploratory webGL-based experimental A/V performance. The initial conception of this project began with exploring an infinite cave system through setting up a raymarching shader but then it evolved into a more fleshed-out parallelism of the neuron systems in our brains. The visual involves the user making their way through infinite, generative tunnel systems that are constantly rotating, forming, and relaying messages between each other through the use of globular particles.

Technical Implementation (Unity)

The code is split between a computer shader and a Unity script file. The unity script file is used to transfer game camera information into the shader. The scene then traverses inside a raymarched gyroid. The gyroid's z-axis is rotated over time to generate a pulsating feeling to the tunnels. A further noise-based Voronoi shader is applied to both the normals and the textures creating a neuron-like surface. This Voronoi equation is then applied in minimum with the rotating gyroid, generating the movement of particles over time. To make the particles more globular and make them appear as if they are emerging from or being absorbed by the walls. the smoothing coefficient of the smooth minimum function is manipulated over time as well.