Three Tools, Three Philosophies
There's no universal tool for creative coding. The choice depends on your context: technical level, deployment constraints, project type, collaboration.
| Criterion | p5.js | Processing | TouchDesigner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Easy | Medium | Difficult |
| Performance | Good | Very good | Excellent |
| Web deployment | ✅ Native | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Real-time video | Limited | Possible | ✅ Ideal |
| Price | Free | Free | Free (non-commercial) |
| Best for | Web, teaching, prototypes | Digital art, performance | Pro installations, live |
p5.js: browser-based, no installation, ideal for beginners and web projects.
Processing (Java): higher performance, more libraries, native app export.
TouchDesigner: professional standard for real-time video, physical interactivity, live performance.
Before choosing a tool, ask: Where will the work be shown? Web → p5.js. Physical space with video/audio → TouchDesigner. Prototype or performance → Processing or p5.js.
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