Ralph-Assignment-04-GIF

This was an interesting piece for me, as its concept developed further as I felt more comfortable with animating through Processing and programming with Java. As shown in my sketch, I originally intended to create a very simply pattern of movement among lines and dots to keep the work manageable, but as I wrote the code, I started playing for a stronger visual effect. Algorithmic animation always mystified me, but sinking my teeth into the basics gave me a new perspective on this particular art form — both a de-mystification and a new-found respect.

float dx = 20;
float dy = 20;
boolean reverse;

void setup() {
  size(600, 600);
}

void draw() {
  background(0);
  dots();
  if (dx == 91) { //line direction change
    reverse = true;
  }
  if (dx == -11) {
    reverse = false;
  }
  if (reverse) { //animate
    dx--;
    dy--;
  }
  else {
    dx++;
    dy++;
  }
}

void dots() { //draw dots in a matrix
  for (int row = 0; row < 7; row++) {
    for (int col = 0; col < 7; col++) {
      stroke(255);
      strokeWeight(10);
      point(col*100, row*100);
      cardLines(row, col); 
      diagLines(row, col);
      print(row);
    }
  }
}

void cardLines(int row, int col) { //draw lines in cardinal direction
  for (int line = 0; line < 4; line++) {
    pushMatrix();
    cardColor(line);
    translate(col*100, row*100);
    rotate(PI*line/2);
    line(dx, 0, dx+20, 0);
    popMatrix();
  }
}

void diagLines(int row, int col) { //draw lines in diagonals
  for (int line = 0; line < 4; line++) {
    pushMatrix();
    diagColor(line);
    translate(col*100, row*100);
    rotate(PI*line/2);
    line(dx, dy, dx+20, dy+20);
    popMatrix();
  }
}

void cardColor(int line) {
  if (line == 0) {
    stroke(255,0,0,122);
  }
  else if (line == 1) {
    stroke(0,255,0,122);
  }
  else if (line == 2) {
    stroke(255,0,0,123);
  }
  else if (line == 3) {
    stroke(0,255,0,123);
  }
}

void diagColor(int line) {
  if (line == 0) {
    stroke(0,0,255,122);
  }
  else if (line == 1) {
    stroke(255,255,0,122);
  }
  else if (line == 2) {
    stroke(0,0,255,123);
  }
  else if (line == 3) {
    stroke(255,255,0,123);
  }
}