This page presents the experimental generative functions of the relational modelling tool. The tool was initially designed for describing and visualising interactions in interactive art. If you would like to use the tool only for these purposes read more about it, you can access its main interface here or watch the tutorial here.

How to use the generative functions:
To start generating an interactive dialogue, you must first specify its layout: the number of element profiles; the number of actions each element plays; the number of communication each action creates.

The generative functions can be accessed via the coloured buttons:

automatically fills in the Type, Count and Action of the element profile with randomly selected data entries based on the artwork collection in the database.

only fills in the empty data entries.

randomly generates condition and communication based on the existing elements and actions in the current worksheet. A unique index for each combination is provided in . You can also use the index box to go over the possible combinations.

will automatically generate all communication and condition for all the actions in the current worksheet.

Note:
These generative functions are intended as experiments and their practical usage is debatable. However, we do wish to stimulate conversations and ideas for designing features to assist the creative process based on the relational model. If you have any further questions or comments, please contact d.xu@liacs.leidenuniv.nl.
ELEMENT: Individual actors in the interaction exhibit the same or similar set of behaviours.
Type:The categorical description helps to differentiate the elements. Common element types are human or art system in interactive art.

If an artwork has elements of the same type performing different roles, indicate the role of the element after '/'.
Count:The number of elements of the same type that can simultaneously participate in the interaction.

A '+' indicates that there is no upper limit on how many elements can participate simultaneously.
ACTION:Something that is done or performed by the element to participate in the interaction.

Either an action is intended for participating in the interaction, or its effects are registered by other elements thus 'forcing' the acting element to participate (unintended). Please select the corresponding case.

An action can be initiated by the element itself or as a reaction to other action(s). Please specify the necessary conditions in the form of "If ... do(es) ...". When there are more than three conditions, you can add a footnote to specify their order and relationships if needed.

When multiple actions are triggered by the same condition, you can also specify the relationship between these reaction after "Then this action".

Please enter the actions of the same elements and their conditions in a logical or chronological order if such relationship is present.
#1
If
do(es)
Then this action
COMMUNICATION: A form of communication is created when an action is done to another element. An action can be directed at different elements thus creating multiple forms of communication.

Please enter the communication in a logical or chronological order if such relationship is present.
To: To which element the action is directed at.
Means:The means by which the action reaches the receiving element.
  • Direct the action is performed to the receiving element directly without any intermediate element involved.
  • Via (intermediate element): The action is performed to an intermediate element and reaches the receiving element via the intermediate element. This type of communication is often termed mediated communication.
 
Config:Short for 'configuration'; indicates the number of elements at both ends of the communication.
  • From: the number of elements performing the action.
  • To: the number of elements receiving the communication.
Count:The number of the communication of this form that can take place simultaneously.
Access:The degree to which the communication is accessible or perceivable to all elements.
  • Private: the communication can only be perceived by the communicating elements.
  • Public: the communication can also be perceived by elements or spectators beyond the communicating elements.
 
Effect:The function(s), consequence(s) of the communication, its impact(s) on and relation(s) to the receiving elements.
→

Additional information:

e.g. urls or notes about the artwork.

Footnotes: You can specify the relationships among the triggering actions in the condition of an action using a footnote.

The footnote function will be enabled once more than two triggering actions are specified.

Developed as part of the PhD research by Dan Xu, supervised by Maarten H. Lamers, Edwin van der Heide, Fons J. Verbeek