What is UltraKiss? |
What is UltraKiss?
UltraKiss is a computer program that implements the Kisekae Set system, KiSS, a Japanese graphics system originally developed to facilitate costume changes for virtual dolls. This is similar to paper dolls, but Kisekae has an event model and other characteristics that enable interactive presentation and programmable content. UltraKiss is the only KiSS viewer to modernize KiSS by adding new capabilities and features expected by any artist working with current technology.
What does UltraKiss do?
The original KiSS model was designed to facilitate presentation of artistic work for animation characters. Kisekae art sets are drawings of anime characters that have many different costumes, and KiSS is a presentation method with a special language that allows the artist to program certain actions that interact with the anime doll.
UltraKiss was developed to help artists build their KiSS sets. UltraKiss in not just a KiSS doll viewer, but it is also a visual development system that simplifies many of the technical details of building KiSS sets. The original KiSS model was deficient in that it only supported one image format. UltraKiss enables KiSS sets to be constructed from many common image formats. KiSS allowed different color variations to be created for images. UltraKiss contains an integrated color editor tool to edit image palettes so that many different color variations of content can be easily developed. The original version of KiSS deployed artist work in only one archive file format. UltraKiss implements integrated LHA, ZIP, and JAR archive file formats so that KiSS sets can be packaged in many different compressed archive files. Early KiSS did not provide common programming constructs. UltraKiss provides graphical components and an improved programming language that implements structured logic, local variables, and label parameters for recursive logic. To facilitate creative development UltraKiss offers an integrated audio and video player that allows MP3 sounds and certain classes of AVI movies to be included in your set. UltraKiss also includes an experimental image editor tool to change the size, shape, or structure of your images.
No other KiSS viewer provides similar capabilities. UltraKiss has been designed to provide improved developer support so that it is much easier to create new, more functional, KiSS applications.
How does UltraKiss work?
UltraKiss reads and interprets KiSS data files. These files contain computer graphics images, color palettes and data control files. KiSS drawings often contain front and back layers such that clothing can be placed on dolls in a more realistic way. Objects are constructed from layered image components that usually show only parts of the complete image. Objects are manipulated through user actions or through a simple event processing model that enables timed animations or special actions when objects are touched or dragged across the screen. Color variations through automated palette changes can be used to produce more realistic results. UltraKiss also supports multimedia sound, graphic animation and worldwide web access to KiSS sets through an integrated Internet browser.
One significant feature that UltraKiss provides is that it will automatically create the KiSS configuration file for the artist as the KiSS set is developed. UltraKiss allows, but does not require the KiSS programmer to manually construct this file. The visual development capabilities of UltraKiss provides a direct undoable edit-test process that simplifies working with new objects and developing FKiSS program logic.
Why is KiSS fun?
Image manipulation, in a traditional sense, has been a source of entertainment over the years. It has always been fun to enhance or alter our perception of what we see. Children explore many learning experiences while playing with paper dolls. Others can have hours of fun solving more challenging puzzles and playing interesting games of skill.
UltraKiss can also be used to create new computer applications for general entertainment or business purposes. You can build interactive presentations with active content, access web information, and deploy fully capable computer systems that process and manipulate image information. UltraKiss fully supports the KiSS model and provides new features that extend the Kisekae Set system into domains beyond Japanese animation.
Where does the name Kisekae come from?
Kisekae is an implementation of the Japanese Kisekae Set System. Kisekae takes its name from the Japanese term kisekae ningyou, which refers to playing dress-up with dolls.
Where do I find KiSS material?
Artists from around the world create KiSS data sets from popular comic book and cartoon characters. Most KiSS data sets are available on the world wide web. Kisekae is a system that can grow with you as your interests and skills change.
