This is another little demonstration of my Image->RGB info tool. The effect is very subtle in this case and I removed the slap function.
For the technically interested here is how the picture-to-pixelinfo thing works:
Problem 1: Flash can load JPEGs, but you can not read out the RGB value of a pixel at location x/y.
Workaround: Extract the RGB information with a tool like GD on the server and load this data to the flash file by one of the possible methods: XML, loadVars or loadMovie.
Problem 2: Image data gets huge pretty quickly - a 20x20 picture has 400 pixels, a 200x200 has alrady 40000 pixels. One RGB pixel consist of three 8-bit values which, if you (could) use the full ASCII code would fit into three chars which means 200x200x3 = 120000 chars. Unfortunately if you want to use XML or loadVars you cannot use the full ASCII code, as some chars have special functions, like "&" or the null. this means you have to send the data differently, for example in the usual color notation hex code #aabbcc. Makes it in optimum case 200x200x6=240000 chars, but this case means that you would send the whole information in one big string and have flash do the parsing. Uh Uh... With Flash's rank as "Slowest String Parsing Application In The Known Universe" that's not a good idea. So maybe split the data into smaller chunks already on the server, perhaps into scanlines. (First I should mention that using XML is definitely not an option, the markup overhead, plus the parsing makes it pretty useless in our case.) Okay let's try - each line gets stored in a variable, variable name as short as possible L0=aabbccdd22333444... to L199=1235634334455... - do not forget to count the "=" and the "&" in the querystring - well it's about 1000 extra chars. This could work, but is it the best we can get? No. In comes the
LoadMovie Method: The ideal method would be a file that contains an array with all image data. No need to parse anything, highly compacted, with fast-access data. And that's exactly what we'll do: we create an swf on the server that contains only actionscript, actually only one line: data=[123123132,23452456235,1234143132,35345234346345,...] this is our image information. The numbers are 32 bit values, as flash internally stores all numbers this way and if you would use 24 bit you loose 8 bit for each number. This creates a little more calculation on readout as you will need some bit shifting, but it saves you 40000 chars. To create the swf is easier than it sounds. You just need to create a basic file with the editor, and check out the P-code that it creates with a hex-editor or tools like Buraks ASV. Then you should check out the open-swf specifications for certain bytes that have to be set correct. That's almost all.
Optimizations: For most cases it is not necessary to have to 100% exact image data. That's why I almost saved another 2/3rd by creating a kind of PNG format, with a color table. This means you only have 256 different colors, but you only need 1 byte per pixel, plus 256*3 Bytes for the color table. But you can get it even smaller if you only need the data for Flash MX - simply add GZip compression. I was amazed how easy that is. In PHP you just use the command "gzcompress" on the whole movie (without the header and the filesize info) and are ready to go.
Where is the sourcecode? Well, the reason why I did not put up the sources yet is that I used an advanced version where I add the image itself to the file. Therefore I used parts from Stefan Schüßler's FlashWriter Toolkit v1.02. Unfortunately I do not find the non-picture version anymore (I'm a chaotic overwriter-programmer) and I haven't asked Stefan for his permission yet.
I'd love to copy paste your creation on my site!
www.cryingboyfanclub.nl If this is not possible I'd love to copy paste the still picture (maybe you can send it to me? kelle186@planet.nl ) I haven't got it in my collection yet! Very great work! Kind greetings Michiel
interesting ideas. i just finished making something where i did send the image data in flash via xml. since i sampled every fourth pixel in every fourth row, the file size ends up pretty manageable.
I have a copy of Bragolin's crying boy I bought for $10AU (australia) in a second hand shop, his eyes called me, and though the shop assistants weren't willing to sell him, i talked them round. The background is a dark green forrest colour, the boy is wearing a dark blue turtle neck sweater and is turned slightly side on, his face looks as if he has just been scolded for something he didn't know was wrong and his tears are that of bewilderment and slightly hurt. I work for a lady who has the same boy but maybe a year younger, he's wearing a red jumper and his face looks more upset and harder than mine. I'd like to hear from anyone with these paintings and what they think. sometimes i feel like this child, who I have named Yorick, is my soul child and in the future (Im 19) will give birth to someone like him...strange I know, but the paintings are very powerful. What do you guys think? please email me at: funkingespionage@pierced.com
We have an original signed portrait of the crying boy in dark blue turtle neck. In original frame. What is its market value?
Megg & Greg Kothe
Posted by: MeggandGreg on September 15, 2003 06:53 PM
I have a copy of a boy crying painting, hes wearing a red jumper and dark blue or black jacket (opened) and the background is purple. His eyes follows me wherever i go in the room.
I dont know where it came from or who bought it to me, but i always had it in my room since i was a little child myself. Back then i was abit afraid of the painting, especially after my father's friend told me that the house would burn down if the painting hang on the wall. I heard one shall not split the boy and girl crying paintings, so im looking for the girl painting (copy is fine). Where can one buy these today? Today im 22 years old and i this painting is special to me. If you have one to sell, or you have one and can tell me about it, ill be very happy for a mail from you. my emailadress is: cittcat@hotmail.com
Thank you.
I have a copy of a boy crying painting, hes wearing a red jumper and dark blue or black jacket (opened) and the background is purple. His eyes follows me wherever i go in the room.
I dont know where it came from or who bought it to me, but i always had it in my room since i was a little child myself. Back then i was abit afraid of the painting, especially after my father's friend told me that the house would burn down if the painting hang on the wall. I heard one shall not split the boy and girl crying paintings, so im looking for the girl painting (copy is fine). Where can one buy these today? Today im 22 years old and i this painting is special to me. If you have one to sell, or you have one and can tell me about it, ill be very happy for a mail from you. my emailadress is: cittcat@hotmail.com
Thank you.
I have an original crying boy painting purchased many years back in an art gallery. I am trying to discover more information about the artis. any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
I have 2 different prints by bragolin. They spook my children and I am looking to get rid of them. If you are interested, I can provide pictures. k4mommy@yahoo.com
Posted by: Katherine on February 23, 2004 04:17 PM
Hello I have a crying girl that is signed by G.Bragolin and she is wearing a orangeish color dress with a rope belt, she has brown hair that is a little longer than sholder langth and big brown eyes. She reminds me of me when I was younger and know my daughter. I wish that there was a musium for her so that for a long time to come others could apriciate the work. Well please E-Mail me if you have any questions about her or you know of any that are around.
I have two pictures, one is larger of a boy crying. he is wearing a red shirt and black jacket and smaller one looks like a girl wearing a jumper with blue shirt. They both have the same background which is a purplish color. I bought mine from a couple who was on vacation in Norway where they purchased the pictures. The larger one is signed. I love the portraits and have tried to find out about the artist. No luck
i have a copy of the crying girl at my works england everyone has declined to know where it came from i have thrown it out today because i can't stand to have it there with me after so many horror stories from people. yet i am not afraid of the girl but there is something kind of spooky i can't explain
each letter is described by 2 dimensional array which is generated by loading Photoshop RAW file into flash as XML (you can load ani binary data this way, the only limitation is that no special ascii codes should be present)
Hi Im from Brazil and these painting are well know here. Sorry my poor english since it isn't my mother language. Im not a superstition person i'm a very rational and try to always find reason in things. The author is Giovanni Bragolin and feelings of terror and illness are always associated with his paintings. The author painted 28 comfirmed paintings of various children crying, those paintings were very famous here in Brazil in mid 80's. These paintings, after some closer investigation, show some really nasty and horrendous scenes. I've seem all the 28 and i can assure you all of those paitings are representing DEAD children. These painting are filled with "subliminares" (don't know how to tranlaste it into english) evil messages. For example in the photo above the right face and left torso of the child are severely burned with even some bones showing off in his shoulder, you can clearly see his ribs beneath his shirt. The pupils are dilated, despite the fact of light in every painting. Another clue the children are dead alredy. Every painting has those terrible subte messages.
PLEASE if you have one of those paintings throw it away right now. Giovanni Bragolin regreted his actions and in late 80's he appeared in the biggest TV channel here in Brazil, Rede Globo, and told to everyone who have copies or originals to destroy them, because he made a evil pact to sell his paintings.
People say those paintings bring extremelly miss fortune and disgrace to the owners. Thiis i cant 100% believe but the fact is: These are paintings of dead children with a lot of satanistic reference. A kind of paiting that i surely don't want in my house.
If you want more information on these paintings frll free to e-mail me.
Posted by: Rodrigo Faria on December 12, 2004 06:01 PM
I have two of the crying childern, Both have signature . I have had the crying boy and girl with me for 23 years, The women who gave them to me had them in a basement for many years they were in newspaper that was dated 1947. That was how long she had them packed away. I live in chesterfield VA.USA
My mother has three paintings by beagolin, one of a small girl crying and two of small boys crying (the one boy is your favorite painting with the red eyes) only crying..let me know about them
I just recently acquired the "crying girl" signed by G Bragolin on the top right hand corner of the painting. She's got long brown hair with orangeish colour dress with a rope belt. How can one tell if it is a print or an actual painting? Pls advise. On the back of the frame is a tiny sticker (half torn)stating "pictures of distinction" and underneath - with what's left of the paper stating "ambina ragolin" - possibly Gambina Bragolin? Could this have been displayed in an art gallery before?
Posted by: Linette Misa on October 12, 2005 01:44 AM
Hi, I'm Braziliam too and what Serge said is the truth, Bruno Amadio, popularly known as Bragolin, and also known as Franchot Seville, Giovanni Bragolin, and J. Bragolin ( the supposed creator of a group of paintings known as Crying Boys) said on a very important channel that he had mad some pact with the devil and the paintings were evil. I don't know why he did that but it started a urban legend here and many people through their paintings away. Maybe he needed money, Fantastico is a good show today but it used to be really sensationalistic before, anyway, there are some pages dedicated to this paintings, they're in portuguese but you'll be able to see all of Bragolim's paintings on this page: http://www.tabernaculonet.com.br/subliminar/quadros/cri_chorando/todosquadros.html
My family name is written Klingemann,
not Klingelmann, Klingeman, Klingaman, Kingemann,
Kindermann, Killingaman, Klingman, Klingmann, Klingonman
Klingemman, Cleangerman, Klingerman or Kleangerman
