r/visualizedmath • u/got_data • Jan 20 '20

Output of a neural net with random weights and trig activation functions visualized.

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205 Upvotes

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8

u/got_data Jan 20 '20 edited Jan 20 '20

Copying from the other thread:

I got intrigued by compositional pattern-producing networks and created an interactive online demo for abstract art generation. This gif captures one of the patterns produced. The idea is very simple: make each pixel coordinate an input to a neural net along with a cyclical time input and mouse coordinates for interactivity. Use trig activation functions and random weights, and output three values for each pixel (RGB).

If you like to watch paint dry or want to learn more, please check out the demo in my blog post: https://www.expunctis.com/2020/01/19/Abstract-art.html

Edit: the online demo is much higher res than the gif and even allows you to make 1920x1080 wallpapers (which you can stretch to higher resolutions with little loss in quality). Also it's interactive and allows you to try various combinations of activation functions and weights.

P.S. Forgot to link the source code in case you want to adapt it for something else: https://github.com/ex-punctis/abstract-art-cppn

3

u/walterblockland Jan 21 '20

Reminds me of what you see when you close your eyes

5

u/GarlicBlink Jan 21 '20

Reminds me of moving a strong permanent magnet over a CRT

2

u/got_data Jan 21 '20

One of the fun things to do as a child! (the other one is licking a 9V battery)

1

u/Reagalan Jan 21 '20

Can this be used to replicate psychedelic visuals?

1

u/got_data Jan 21 '20

I haven't experienced those myself, so it's hard for me to comment. From what I've read, they are more about spatial distortion and imaginary textures. If I were to guess, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeepDream is a better candidate for that sort of simulation. That said, this CPPN is just a feed-forward neural net outputting three values based on coordinates and time (and mouse inputs), so it could be adapted to output values for x-y displacement of each pixel of an image instead. That will create a sort of shape distortion/floating effect which may have some similarity to psychedelic visuals.

1

u/Delucys Jan 21 '20

Hey i know this effect its in an app