Project 6: Fractals and Trees

Main course Moodle page

The assignment is to bring together the lsystem and turtle_interpreter pieces to make a scene that consists of fractal shapes, trees, and other turtle graphics (think back to projects 1, 2 and 3). Your top-level program will include both the lsystem and turtle_interpreter modules.

Tasks

Create a file called abstract.py. The file will need to import sys, turtle, lsystem, and turtle_interpreter. Write a function that creates an abstract image using L-systems. This image should be constructed to take advantage of your Python programming skills -- don't rely wholly on the random package and a loop. Your goal should be complexity, yet order in your image and simplicity in your code. One idea is to make an interesting pattern.
Your image should include at least three different L-systems, with at least one of them using brackets. Don't feel beholden to use the suggested number of iterations or angles for any L-system. You can get the filenames for the L-system files from the command line, by asking the user for them, or by hard-coding them into your code.
In your image function, you can use turtle commands to pick up the pen, move it to a new location, change colors, change pen widths, and put down the pen before drawing a new shape.

A picture with 3 different L-systems is required image 1.
Make a new file grid.py that contains a function that draws a set of 9 trees based on the systemB L-system, or some variation of it that has brackets. Order the 9 trees as a 3x3 grid. From left to right the number of iterations of the L-system should go from 1 to 3. From top to bottom, the angle of the L-system should be 22.5, 45, and 60. Use a double for-loop to create the grid.
A picture with a grid of L-systems is required image 2.
Make a new file scene.py that makes a non-abstract scene with two or more objects generated using L-systems. The scene must include at least one new L-system with brackets (e.g. a tree) that you haven't used yet. You can use one of the L-systems from ABOP (look at pages 9, 10, and 25 for single-rule L-systems) or make up one of your own. The scene does not need to be complex, but your code should exhibit modularity and good design.
A scene that includes 2 different L-systems is required image 3.

Extensions

Each assignment will have a set of suggested extensions. The required tasks constitute about 85% of the assignment, and if you do only the required tasks and do them well you will earn a B+. To earn a higher grade, you need to undertake one or more extensions. The difficulty and quality of the extension or extensions will determine your final grade for the assignment. One complex extension, done well, or 2-3 simple extensions are typical.

Import one of your scenes from project 2 or 3 and add trees or fractal shapes to them. It's all turtle graphics, after all.
Make your abstract image function take in (x, y, scale) as parameters and demonstrate you can properly translate and scale the abstract image by including multiple copies, at different locations and scales, in one scene.
Make task 2 more interesting by adding additional elements to the image that also change across the grid. For example, make the trees move from summer to fall to winter along the horizontal or vertical axis.
Give the function for task 2 the parameters (x, y, scale) and demonstrate you can properly translate and scale the grid.
Create an L-system of your own that draws something interesting.
Add leaves, berries, or color to your trees by adding new alphabet symbols to the rules and cases to your turtle_interpreter. For each new symbol you use in a rule, you will need another elif case in your drawString function.
Use a Python language feature new to you (not just a new library feature or function)

Writeup and Hand-in

Turn in your code by putting it into your private handin directory on the Courses server. All files should be organized in a folder titled "Proj6" and you should include only those files necessary to run the program. We will grade all files turned in, so please do not turn in old, non-working, versions of files.

Make a new wiki page for your assignment. Put the label cs151s13project6 in the label field on the bottom of the page. But give the page a meaningful title (e.g. Stephanie's project 6).

In general, your intended audience for your write-up is your peers not in the class. Your goal should be to be able to use it to explain to friends what you accomplished in this project and to give them a sense of how you did it. Follow the outline below.

A brief summary of the task, in your own words. This should be no more than a few sentences. Give the reader context and identify the key purpose of the assignment.
A description of your solution to the tasks, including any images you created. This should be a description of the form and functionality of your final code. You may want to incorporate code snippets in your description to point out relevant features. Note any unique computational solutions you developed. Code snippets should be small segments of code--usually less than a whole function--that demonstrate a particular concept. If you find yourself including more than 5-10 lines of code, it's probably not a snippet.
A description of any extensions you undertook, including images demonstrating those extensions. If you added any modules, functions, or other design components, note their structure and the algorithms you used.
A brief description (1-3 sentences) of what you learned.
Don't forget to label your writeup so that it is easy for others to find. For this lab, use cs151s13project6