FlyLo FX
Visual systems for the Flying Lotus live show
CAM FX 2026
Browser-based live cam-FX engine. 26 audio-reactive effects spawning from the depth-derived 3D geometry of the live camera feed.
FX BANK // 26 EFFECTS
Camera-driven
FLUX · TENDRILS · BOIDS · FLORA · FLUID · SCAN · WIRE
Every FX anchored to the live depth-derived silhouette. Audio-reactive throughout.
Pure procedural
PURE WATER · PURE FRACTAL · PURE RD · LENIA
Self-contained simulations — heightfield, raymarched fractal, reaction-diffusion, continuous CA.
Demoscene
CDAK · CDAK QUAT · CDAK TUNNEL · CATHEDRAL
Faithful + spiritual ports of unc / Quite & Orange's 4k intros. Plus a procedural voxel cathedral keyed to the live silhouette.
Fusion FX
HOLO SCAN · DEPTH STORM · GOD RAYS · PLEXUS · FEEDBACK LAB · CYMATICS · TIME ECHO
Demoscene language fused with the live camera pipeline. Centroid-locked + depth-aware.
Wild bank
SACRED GEOMETRY · VORTEX · MERCURY · ASCII CAM
The wild bank built for the AU show. Merkaba / torus / icosahedron, body-as-black-hole, liquid chrome, live glyph render.
How To Run CAM FX
No pre-built installer — you build the macOS .dmg yourself from the source bundle (one-time, ~5 min). This is intentional: lets us iterate fast without re-signing every release. Requires a Mac with Node 20+ installed (nodejs.org → LTS).
Step 1 — Build the .dmg
Open Terminal on the Mac. Anywhere in your home directory is fine.
# 1. Download flylo-camfx-source.zip from the button above and unzip it unzip flylo-camfx-source.zip cd flylo-camfx-bundle # 2. Install dependencies (~1-2 min, ~600 MB) npm install # 3. Pull the DepthAnything ONNX model (~99 MB, one-time) ./scripts/download-depth-model.sh # 4. Build the .dmg (~3-5 min) npm run dist:mac # DMG is now in ./release/ — open it open release/
Double-click the .dmg, drag FlyLo CamFX to /Applications.
Step 2 — First Launch (Gatekeeper Bypass)
The build is unsigned, so macOS will refuse to open it by default. One-time bypass:
- Open
/Applicationsin Finder - Right-click (or Ctrl-click) FlyLo CamFX → Open
- Click Open in the "Apple cannot check for malicious software" dialog
- Done. macOS now trusts the app for every future launch — just double-click normally from now on
When the app launches, macOS will ask for Camera and Microphone permissions. Allow both — every FX is audio-reactive, and the depth FX need the camera feed.
Step 3 — During the Show
Once the app is running, these are the operator hotkeys:
Step 4 — Sending Output to a Projector
Plug the projector into the Mac as a second display, then click the ⤴ OUTPUT button (top-right of the HUD). Pick the projector from the dropdown — the popup mirror opens borderless and fullscreen on that display, with your main window staying interactive for control. The dropdown also exposes:
- Render Resolution — Native (auto) / 1920 × 1080 / 1280 × 720. Drop to 720p on Apple Silicon if you're hitting frame drops
- Framerate Cap — 60 / 30 / 24 fps. 30 cuts GPU + CPU work nearly in half with no visible motion penalty
Troubleshooting
- "FlyLo CamFX can't be opened" — Gatekeeper. See Step 2 above (right-click → Open the first time)
- Black screen on launch — hit
Cmd+Opt+Ito open DevTools, screenshot any red errors in the Console tab, send to support. Quitting and re-launching usually clears it - No webcam feed — check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, make sure FlyLo CamFX is enabled. Same for Microphone
- Frame drops on Retina display — open the ⤴ OUTPUT menu and drop Render Resolution to 1280 × 720 or 1920 × 1080
- App opens behind other windows — Cmd+Tab to it. Some macOS versions don't focus new windows by default
- Mic-reactive FX feel dead — check System Settings → Sound that the right input device is selected; FlyLo CamFX uses the system default mic
Updating to a New Build
- Download the new
flylo-camfx-source.zipfrom this page unzipover your old folder (or to a new one),cd,npm install,npm run dist:mac- Drag the new
FlyLo CamFX.appover the old one in/Applications(Finder will prompt — Replace) - Your presets + camera/mic permissions survive — they live in macOS Library, not in the app bundle
Developer Mode (live reload)
If you're tweaking shaders or FX code, skip the .dmg build and use the Vite dev server for hot-module-reload:
cd flylo-camfx-bundle npm install ./scripts/download-depth-model.sh npm run dev # → opens http://127.0.0.1:4040 in your browser
Show preset doc + per-FX tuning notes are bundled at docs/SHOW-PRESETS-AU-2026.md. Reliability safety-net wraps every FX update — a single bad frame won't kill the render loop.
CAM FX v2 // TEXT
Separate build of the cam-FX engine focused on TEXT and SYMBOL processing. Three new FX (slots 27 – 29) driven by a single global text input. Brash palette flips on every drop. Installs side-by-side with v1 — own .dmg, own Bundle ID.
v2 ADDITIONS // 3 NEW
MANTRA
Your typed phrase scrolls THROUGH the silhouette. Outside is a contrasting block colour that snaps on every drop.
Bass pushes scroll speed, peak gives it a kick. Palette flips cyan → magenta → yellow.
CONCRETE POETRY
Phrase orbits the performer in a spiral (or sine wave — flip the mode param). Per-character rainbow cycle.
CPU centroid tracker locks the orbit to the body. Peak-burst inflates the radius on impact.
HIEROGLYPH FIELD
Silhouette is stencilled with a grid of rotating glyphs drawn from your text. FlyLo lotus mark mixes into the pool.
Per-cell rotation, scale, and hue drift independently. Bass thumps scale, high twists rotation.
How To Run CAM FX v2
Identical build flow to v1 — see the v1 instructions above for Gatekeeper bypass, permissions, and troubleshooting. v2 installs alongside v1 (different Bundle ID), so you can switch between them anytime without uninstalling either.
Step 1 — Build (same recipe as v1)
# Download flylo-camfx-v2-source.zip from the button above unzip flylo-camfx-v2-source.zip cd flylo-camfx-v2-bundle npm install # ~1-2 min ./scripts/download-depth-model.sh # ~99 MB ONNX model npm run dist:mac # ~3-5 min open release/ # → drag "FlyLo CamFX Text" to /Applications
First launch — right-click → Open to bypass Gatekeeper (one-time). Permit camera + microphone. Same as v1.
Step 2 — Using the Text FX
A new text bar sits at the top-center of the HUD. Your phrase feeds all three text FX (slots 27 – 29).
All v1 hotkeys (presets, WILD MODE, OUTPUT picker, SNAP, DevTools) work identically in v2.
Step 3 — Recommended Workflow For Each Text FX
- MANTRA (27) — short, punchy phrases. 1 – 3 words. Long sentences scroll past too fast to read. The phrase fills the silhouette; outside is a contrasting block color that snaps on every drop. Push Bass → Speed hotter on bass-heavy tracks.
- CONCRETE POETRY (28) — full sentences or song lyrics. Spiral mode (default) wraps tight around the performer; Wave mode (set the
Modeparam to 1) sweeps horizontally. Bump Peak Burst for kicks. - HIEROGLYPH FIELD (29) — typed text becomes the symbol pool. Try short character lists like
FLYLO 3 6 9 OMfor a sigil-grid look. Toggle the⌬ FLYLOchip to sprinkle the lotus mark in among the typed glyphs.
Side-By-Side With v1
Both apps install in /Applications:
- FlyLo CamFX.app — v1, 26 FX, no text input
- FlyLo CamFX Text.app — v2, 29 FX (v1's 26 + 3 new text FX), text input bar
Presets are stored per-app via com.strangeloop.flylo-camfx vs com.strangeloop.flylo-camfx-v2 bundle IDs, so saving a preset in one doesn't affect the other.
RENDERS
Direct .mp4 output from the 2026 show pipeline. Click play to preview inline, right-click → save to download. Hosted on Cloudflare R2.
LAYER3 Installation
Windows
- Download the .dll files (individual or zip)
- Copy to:
Documents\Resolume Arena\Extra Effects\ - Restart Resolume Arena
macOS
- Download the macOS Universal zip
- Extract and copy .bundle files to:
~/Documents/Resolume Arena/Extra Effects/ - If macOS blocks the plugins: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Allow
- Restart Resolume Arena
macOS builds are Universal Binary (Intel + Apple Silicon).
Blob Tracking Effects NEW
Blob detection + psychedelic visualization. Feed a camera or video and these plugins detect bright regions, then generate cosmic effects centered on the performer.
BlobTracker
Core blob/motion tracker with overlay visualization. Detects bright regions, draws bounding boxes, centroids, network lines, and custom text labels.
DownloadBlobAura
Fractal energy aura emanating from detected blob boundaries. Julia set fractals radiate cosmic energy from the performer.
DownloadBlobWarp
Gravitational spacetime distortion. Blobs act as gravitational lenses warping video with chromatic aberration and event horizon glow.
DownloadBlobCosmic
Performer silhouette becomes a window into deep space. Procedural FBM nebula + starfield fills detected regions with parallax scrolling.
DownloadBlobFeedback
Recursive feedback spirals centered on blob positions. Infinite recursion with zoom, rotate, hue shift, blur, and kaleidoscope mirror.
DownloadBlobNeural
Reaction-diffusion neural network. Organic tendrils grow from performer positions with bioluminescent pulses traveling between nodes.
DownloadCamera FX v1
Video processing effects: ASCII art, pixel sorting, VHS tape distortion, and CRT monitor simulation.
ASCII
Converts video to ASCII character art. 4 character sets (Standard, Blocks, Dots, Minimal), 5 color modes, edge detection, scanlines.
DownloadPixelSort
GPU pixel sorting: smears pixels along luminance/hue thresholds. 4 sort directions (H/V/Diagonal/Radial), glitch mode, color shift.
DownloadVHS
All-purpose VHS tape distortion. Tracking lines, head switching, color bleed, chroma smear, jitter, tape warp, noise, interlace.
DownloadCRT
CRT monitor simulation. Barrel distortion, RGB phosphor mask, scanlines, bloom, static, flicker, corner darkening. Pairs with VHS.
DownloadGPU Visual Effects
Raymarched fractals, organic simulations, feedback systems, and tunnel generators.
Fractal
5 GPU raymarched fractals: Mandelbulb, Julia 3D, Sierpinski, Kaleidoscopic IFS, Mandelbox. Orbit camera, AO, glow.
DownloadFractal Tunnel
Fractal tunnel flythrough with 6 geometry modes. Twist, wobble, fog, and multiple color schemes.
DownloadFeedback
Video feedback recursion. Camera-facing-TV infinite trails with transform, hue shift, blur, mirror, and chromatic aberration.
DownloadOrganic
5 biological simulations: Gray-Scott, Slime Mold, SmoothLife, Voronoi, Fluid Tendrils. Ping-pong reaction-diffusion.
DownloadParticles
GPU particle system with 6 modes and 1024 particles. Gravity, turbulence, trails, and input-reactive emission.
DownloadTunnel
Hyperspace tunnel with 5 geometry modes. Speed, twist, distortion, ring density, dual color, strobe.
DownloadGridMorph
Infinite morphing grid generator with 6 grid modes. Wave frequency, amplitude, camera orbit, color schemes.
DownloadLinework
Geometric line patterns and flow fields with 6 modes. Thickness, density, symmetry, glow, input reactivity.
DownloadMirror
Kaleidoscopic symmetry with 6 modes. Segments, spiral, fractal depth, chromatic edge, animation.
DownloadSilhouette
Performer silhouette extraction with 5 modes + 6 effect modes. Edge glow, particle fill, pulse, chroma key.
DownloadVoid Series
Transparent wireframe 3D landscapes. Raymarched SDF architectures with orbit/flythrough cameras.
VoidBio
Bioorganic wireframe landscape. 6 modes of organic 3D terrain with transparent line rendering.
DownloadVoidCathedral
Impossible architectural wireframe. Columns, walls, arches in 6 cathedral modes with orbit/flythrough.
DownloadVoidLattice
Architectural lattice structures. 6 modes of repeating 3D lattice geometry with member radius control.
DownloadVoidNerve
Neural/vascular network wireframe. 6 modes of branching structures with pulse speed and node density.
DownloadVoidscape
Boolean/CSG landscape. 6 modes of morphing SDF geometry with smooth unions and fog.
Download