CMSC110 (Introduction to Computing)

Fall 2016

Assignment#3

Due before start of class on Monday, October 3, 2016 (R. Eisenberg)
Due before start of class on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 (D. Kumar)

First, make sure you have read Chapters 1-4 from GXK (our textbook).

Task: Create a piece of abstract computational art using only polygons, stars, or line strings (as presented in class), or a combination of these. The objective here is two-fold: to exercise and learn the ability to draw shapes using trigonometric functions; and to continue to use computation as a medium of creativity by creating something abstract, yet aesthetically pleasing. Here are some sources of inspiration:

• Artist Robert Delaunay's paintings (there are also others you can look to)
• Mandala patterns (see discussion in Chapter 4 of GXK)
• String Art patterns
• Spirograph patterns

Do a Google Image search to see several inspiring (and some not so inspiring!) results on the above.

Write a program that draws a sketch that occupies the entire display screen (use displayWidth, displayHeight to specify the canvas size). (If you do not recall what these are, check the Processing reference.)

Requirements:

• You must make proper use of functions. For example, you may want to write a polygon() or star() function to draw repetitive shapes. Use parameters so that you can make differently-sized/shaped/colored polygons or stars. Remember: Don't Repeat Yourself.
• You must use a for loop somewhere in your sketch. You will likely use at least two: one to draw your polygon or star, and one to draw that shape in many locations on the sketch.
• Your sketch must use either trigonometry (that is, sin() and cos()) or rotate() in order to repeat some image around a central point.

Notes:
Your sketch should be different from any similar sketches demostrated in class. You may use the conceptual ideas, but starting with or copying a sketch from class and submitting a design with minor alterations is not acceptable. Be sure to use the programming features you have learned in the last few weeks. Make judicious use of colors, including several colors whose RGB values are not all 0 or 255; in general, pure colors do not result in aesthetically pleasing visuals, except in cartoons. Your sketch could be completely deterministic, or non-deterministic (using random() or noise()), but only if it lends to aesthetic quality.

What to Hand in: Hand in the entire sketch folder in your Dropbox folder. Make sure to include:

1. Your sketch code (the .pde file)
2. A gif/jpg/png image of your finished sketch
3. A write-up with your name, course and assignment number and a paragraph about the sketch, its inspiration, and how you designed and implemented it. Include a brief discussion about your experience working on this assignment.

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