Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

VS Code VS TouchDesigner

Compare VS Code VS TouchDesigner and see what are their differences

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VS Code logo VS Code

Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

TouchDesigner logo TouchDesigner

TouchDesigner is a visual development platform that equips you with the tools you need to create stunning realtime projects and rich user experiences.
  • VS Code Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-10-09
  • TouchDesigner Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-03

VS Code features and specs

  • Cross-platform
    VS Code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent development experience across different operating systems.
  • Extensibility
    A vast library of extensions allows users to add functionalities like debuggers, linters, and themes, making it highly customizable.
  • Integrated Git
    Built-in Git integration makes it easy to manage version control tasks directly within the editor.
  • Performance
    Lightweight compared to full-fledged IDEs, ensuring good performance even on systems with limited resources.
  • IntelliSense
    Advanced code completion and refactoring tools help improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.
  • Community Support
    A strong and active community provides extensive support, tutorials, and third-party extensions.
  • Debugging
    Robust debugging tools for various languages and frameworks are available out of the box.
  • Free and Open-Source
    VS Code is completely free to use and open-source, which is beneficial for both individual developers and organizations.

Possible disadvantages of VS Code

  • Limited IDE Features
    While extensible, it may lack some advanced features found in dedicated IDEs out of the box.
  • Extension Management
    Managing and configuring a large number of extensions can become cumbersome and sometimes lead to performance issues.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, it has a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its numerous features and customization options.
  • Memory Usage
    Despite being lightweight, it can consume a significant amount of memory when multiple extensions are installed.
  • Update Frequency
    Frequent updates may sometimes introduce bugs or require users to adapt to new changes quickly.
  • Internet Dependency
    Some features and extensions may require an internet connection to function optimally.
  • Telemetry
    By default, VS Code collects usage data, which might be a concern for users sensitive about data privacy. However, this can be disabled.

TouchDesigner features and specs

  • Versatility
    TouchDesigner can be used for a wide range of applications including real-time graphics, interactive installations, live performances, and data visualization.
  • Real-Time Capabilities
    It excels at creating and manipulating visuals in real-time, making it ideal for live events and performances.
  • Node-Based Workflow
    The software uses a node-based visual programming language, which is intuitive and flexible, allowing for easy manipulation and connection of different elements.
  • High Customizability
    Users can create highly custom visuals and interactions tailored specifically to their needs.
  • Community and Resources
    A strong community of users and a wealth of tutorials, forums, and documentation are available to help new users learn and troubleshoot.
  • Compatibility
    Supports a broad array of input and output devices, as well as different file formats, making it highly interoperable with other tools and technologies.
  • Free Non-Commercial Version
    A non-commercial version is available for free, allowing users to learn and experiment without incurring costs.

Possible disadvantages of TouchDesigner

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software is complex and can be difficult for beginners to master due to its vast capabilities and depth.
  • Performance Demands
    Creating complex projects can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware to run smoothly.
  • Cost for Commercial Use
    While the non-commercial version is free, the commercial licenses can be expensive, which may be a barrier for smaller studios or individuals.
  • Limited Traditional Documentation
    While there are many community resources, the official documentation can be somewhat lacking in detail for more advanced functions.
  • Specialized Skill Set
    Expertise in TouchDesigner does not always translate directly to other software tools, meaning skills learned can be somewhat isolated.
  • Version Compatibility
    Projects created in different versions may not always be compatible, which can be a problem for long-term projects or collaborations.

Analysis of VS Code

Overall verdict

  • Yes, VS Code is generally considered a good choice for developers due to its flexibility, efficiency, and strong community support. It is lightweight, fast, and user-friendly, catering to both novice and experienced developers.

Why this product is good

  • VS Code, developed by Microsoft, is a widely popular and versatile code editor. It offers a robust extension ecosystem, which allows developers to customize their workflow and coding environment extensively. Additionally, VS Code supports numerous programming languages right out of the box and provides features like IntelliSense, debugging, Git integration, and a built-in terminal, making it a powerful tool for developers.

Recommended for

  • Web developers looking for a comprehensive yet lightweight coding environment.
  • Software developers who need an editor with extensive language support and customization options.
  • Beginner programmers who would benefit from a feature-rich editor that can grow with their skills.
  • Developers interested in an open-source tool with continuous updates and community-driven enhancements.

Analysis of TouchDesigner

Overall verdict

  • TouchDesigner is highly regarded in the fields of real-time rendering, multimedia art, and interactive installation design. It provides a robust platform for creative expression and technical execution, making it an excellent choice for those interested in these areas.

Why this product is good

  • TouchDesigner is considered good due to its powerful real-time visual programming capabilities, flexibility in handling interactive multimedia systems, and a supportive community. It allows artists, developers, and designers to create interactive installations, performances, and stage designs. Its node-based approach makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced users working on complex projects.

Recommended for

  • Visual artists
  • Interactive designers
  • Multimedia performers
  • Developers interested in real-time graphics
  • Architects and stage designers looking for dynamic presentation tools
  • Educators and students in new media and digital art

VS Code videos

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos:

  • Review - 7 reasons why I switched to Visual Studio Code from Sublime Text

TouchDesigner videos

Make mind bending, interactive 3D projects with TouchDesigner and Python

More videos:

  • Review - TouchDesigner Experiments
  • Tutorial - Particle Displacement – TouchDesigner Tutorial 7

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to VS Code and TouchDesigner)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
3D
0 0%
100% 100
IDE
100 100%
0% 0
Interactive Presentations

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare VS Code and TouchDesigner

VS Code Reviews

  1. dksinden
    · Working at SpeechKit ·

Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
Visual Studio Code, commonly known as VS Code, is a powerful and extensible code editor developed by Microsoft. With its rich ecosystem of extensions and features like IntelliSense, debugging, and Git integration, VS Code enhances your coding productivity.
Source: convesio.com
13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
Finally, the Visual Studio Code website has numerous tabs for you to learn about the software. The documentation page walks you through steps like the setup and working with different languages. You’re also able to check out some tips and tricks and learn all of the Visual Studio Code keyboard shortcuts. Along with a blog, updates page, extensions library and API...
Source: kinsta.com
Jupyter Notebook & 10 Alternatives: Data Notebook Review [2023]
Previously, VS Code was more suited to developers or engineers due to its lack of data analysis capabilities, but since 2020, the VS Code team has collaborated with the Jupyter team to create an integrated notebook within VS Code. The end result is a fantastic IDE workbook for data analysis.
Source: lakefs.io
The Best IDEs for Java Development: A Comparative Analysis
Overview: Although not a traditional IDE, VS Code has gained popularity as a lightweight code editor.
Source: dev.to
20 Best Diff Tools to Compare File Contents on Linux
Visual studio code is a code editor made by Microsoft. It supports several development operations like debugging, task running, and version control. It works on Linux, macOS and Windows operating systems.
Source: linuxopsys.com

TouchDesigner Reviews

7 Best Projection Mapping Software 2024 (#1 Video Mapper)
Other options include Resolume Arena, which excels in live performances and offers an ultra-fast video player for real-time video mixing. Resolume Avenue, a sister program to Arena, also provides a reliable visual programming environment with an audio processing engine. HeavyM, on the other hand, is suitable for beginners and small-scale events, offering an online library of...
Exploring the top 10 World of LCD Projector Mapping Softwares
TouchDesigner stands out for its immense versatility and its ability to handle interactive multimedia projects. This node-based visual programming environment enables users to create complex projection mapping setups, combining real-time graphics, audio, and video processing. With its robust community support, TouchDesigner is an excellent choice for those seeking to push...
Top 7 Alternatives to MadMapper – Amplify Your Projection Mapping Projects!
TouchDesigner is a powerful visual development platform that enables artists and designers to create interactive installations, immersive experiences, and projection mapping projects. It offers a node-based interface, real-time rendering capabilities, and support for various media types. TouchDesigner is widely used in the media and entertainment industry for its versatility...
Source: www.uubyte.com
5+ best video mapping software for PC
TouchDesigner’s suite of features and open customization makes each project possible, with multiple solutions to tackle every job, whether small or large in ways that fit each scenario and budget.
Top 5 VJ Softwares In 2021
TouchDesigner is a node based visual programming language for real time interactive multimedia content, developed by the Toronto-based company Derivative. It’s been used by artists, programmers, creative coders, software designers, and performers to create performances, installations, and fixed media works.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, VS Code seems to be a lot more popular than TouchDesigner. While we know about 1146 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 31 mentions of TouchDesigner. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

VS Code mentions (1146)

  • What Are the Best Code Editors for Collaborative Coding?
    Visual Studio Code is a highly popular, lightweight, and versatile code editor. Its Live Share extension transforms it into a powerful collaborative tool. With Live Share, developers can co-edit and co-debug codes in real-time, making it easier to handle complex projects together. It offers:. - Source: dev.to / 5 days ago
  • Before the Code: Why I Chose Web Development and How I Got Started
    Built-in terminal (you’ll love this later) Download it here. - Source: dev.to / 6 days ago
  • #The Chronicles of Sam: 10,000 Hours to Say “Hi” Automatically 💬
    Somewhere between enabling CORS and accidentally enabling IAM authentication, Sam backed out slowly and did what all developers eventually do when faced with AWS UI: They closed the tab and opened [VSCode 🖥️].(https://code.visualstudio.com/). - Source: dev.to / 12 days ago
  • Build Python Docker Development Environment on Win11 from Scratch
    Download VSCode through the following URL Https://code.visualstudio.com/. - Source: dev.to / 18 days ago
  • How to Handle File Uploads with Node.js and Express - Multer Edition
    A text editor or lightweight IDE such as Visual Studio Code. - Source: dev.to / 18 days ago
View more

TouchDesigner mentions (31)

  • Ask HN: What Are You Working On? (October 2024)
    Will it be something like TouchDesigner[1] ? I never used it myself, but I follow a lot of creative types who make music visualizations, and art installations with it. I can't find it on Github though, maybe repo is private ? [1] https://derivative.ca/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • NestDrop Midnight Edition v23.15 - PRO VERSION FREE DOWNLOAD
    ⇒ Resolume ⇒ NestMap ⇒ TouchDesigner ⇒ MadMapper ⇒ Any other software listed on the Spout website. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • After Effects for live broadcasting?
    Touchdesigner: https://derivative.ca/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Lighting Software with programmable effects?
    Touch Designer is an object oriented environment with a range of ways to manipulate data and plugins for external control (ie - artNET, sACN, dmx dongles) - it is somewhat OS agnostic / MAC/PC. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Method For Generating Graphical Representations from data?
    Python ranges from "decent" to "awesome" and "cutting edge" across a range of use cases. I would put graphics on the bottom tier of Python's strengths. You should look for something built for graphics. My go to is TouchDesigner by Derivative (derivative.ca). They offer a free license, it's all node based for real-time graphics processing, you can generate images with it, and you can script anything in... Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing VS Code and TouchDesigner, you can also consider the following products

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

Resolume - Resolume is an application for live video performances.

Vim - Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

MadMapper - The Mapping Software

Notepad++ - A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Pure Data - Pd (aka Pure Data) is a real-time graphical programming environment for audio, video, and graphical...