Over the past few weeks, I’ve been experimenting with GML (Graffiti Markup Language) to analyze my Baybayin handwriting. If your familiar with XML, GML isn’t very different. In terms of use, check out this video to see what people are doing with it.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8072358&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

GML = Graffiti Markup Language from Evan Roth on Vimeo.

Besides stroke analysis, GML can be used as art. It was only natural that I combine the my interests in technology, art and Baybayin. Below is a piece I did on a 24″x24″ wood panel.

How it was made:
1. Capture my writing with the DustTag iPhone app

2. Export the tag to 000000book.com
3. Download the GML code
4. Load the GML code in GraffitiAnalysis desktop program

5. Adjust the many parameters, rotate and zoom to my liking then export the image
6. Invert the image in a graphics program

7. Blow the image up and stitch it to print on multiple pages
8. Cut out the graphic

9. Stain the wood
10. Wheat paste the graphic
11. Add the GML tags

Although I like the rough lines it outputs, I do hope a future release will export SVG files. Look out for my video on the 17 characters. Interested in GML? Check out all the links above and join the Facebook page.

The script is Balisong written in modified Baybayin. Characters from left to right are Ba-Li-So-Ng. What is Balisong?

From Wikipedia

A balisong, otherwise known as a butterfly knife or a Batangas knife or sometimes called Bente Nueve, is a folding pocket knife with two handles counter-rotating around the tang such that, when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the handles. In the hands of a trained user, the knife blade can be brought to bear quickly using one hand. Manipulations, called flipping, are performed for art or amusement.