Yes, I’ve finally started grad school and one of the first things we’re learning is Processing – a Java-based open source language commonly used by visual artists and creators learning to program. It’s pretty neat. I’m stumbling now and then – to be expected when learning to program, I guess, but I am optimistic of the projects I might be able to develop by the end of the semester.
I’ve never touched Java before, so this is a new challenge. I’ve explored Ruby on Rails a few times, but never really needed it in my previous career.
You can interact with the below sketch. Drag the ball, draw with it. Click and watch the colours change. Simple magic.
[pjs4wp]
int r = 255;
int g = 10;
int b = 151;
int a = 0;
int x = 0;
int y = width/2;
// Setup
void setup() {
size(400, 200);
smooth();
background(255); // Background intentionally only appears in setup().
}
// Draws a trailed kinetic circle
void draw() {
noStroke();
fill(r, g, b, a++);
ellipse(x++, y, 50, 50);
if (x > width) {
x=(int)random(width);
y=(int)random(height);
a = 0;
}
}
// mousePressed() randomly changes r value of moving circle.
void mousePressed() {
r = int(random(255));
}
// mouseDragged() resets the value of the moving circle to wherever the mouse pointer end a drag.
void mouseDragged()
{
x = mouseX;
y = mouseY;
}
[/pjs4wp]