While Shake contains a convolve node, it only allows access to kernels which are stored in the kernel list. A function call DefKernel allows users to define a custom kernel. However, these definitions are static, so it is impossible to interactively edit a kernel. It would be nice to have a tool similar to the filter menu in flame*. For my first experiment with the Shake SDK, I want to create a node which will allow users to interactively define their own kernels. This new node class will wrap around the existing convolve node. The node will also allow users to mix and match kernels, blending or "sanding" them together.
Thanks to Craig Newman for the inspiration of this project.
Convolution involves adjusting every pixel in an image based on information gained from the surrounding pixels. Surrounding pixels are mixed together using something known as a kernel. Blurs, filters, edge detection, and contour following all make use of convolution processes.
Introduction to Image Convolution
Introduction to Kernels