Category Archives: misc

Circle Fitting

By Zevan | June 5, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. var circs:Array = []
  2. var circNum:int = 600;
  3. addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onAdd);
  4. function onAdd(evt:Event):void {
  5.     if (circs.length <circNum){
  6.         makeGrowable();
  7.     }
  8. }
  9.  
  10. function makeGrowable(){
  11.    
  12.     var s:MovieClip = MovieClip(addChild(new MovieClip()));
  13.     s.x = Math.random() * stage.stageWidth;
  14.     s.y = Math.random() * stage.stageHeight;
  15.     with(s.graphics){
  16.         lineStyle(0,0);
  17.         drawCircle(0,0,10);
  18.     }
  19.     s.scaleX = s.scaleY = 0;
  20.     circs.push(s);
  21.     s.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onScaleUp);
  22. }
  23.  
  24. function onScaleUp(evt:Event):void {
  25.     var c:MovieClip = MovieClip(evt.currentTarget);
  26.     c.scaleX = c.scaleY += 0.05;
  27.     for (var i:int = 0; i<circs.length; i++){
  28.         var circ:MovieClip = circs[i];
  29.         if (circ != c){
  30.             var amt:Number = circ.width/2 + c.width/2;
  31.             var dx:Number = circ.x - c.x;
  32.             var dy:Number = circ.y - c.y;
  33.             var dist:Number = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);
  34.             if (amt> dist){
  35.                 c.removeEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onScaleUp);
  36.                 if (c.scaleX <0.1){
  37.                     if (contains(c)){
  38.                     removeChild(c);
  39.                     }
  40.                 }
  41.             }
  42.         }
  43.        
  44.     }
  45. }

Circle fitting is one of those things I've never bothered to do... today I figured I'd give it a try and this is what I came up with. I posted it on wonderfl:

Also posted in Graphics, motion | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fish Curve

By Zevan | May 13, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. var xp:Number = 0;
  2. var yp:Number = 0;
  3. var t:Number = 0;
  4. var a:Number = 200;
  5. x = stage.stageWidth / 2;
  6. y = stage.stageHeight / 2;
  7.  
  8. graphics.lineStyle(0,0x000000);
  9. addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onRun);
  10. function onRun(evt:Event):void {
  11.     xp = a * Math.cos(t) - (a * Math.pow(Math.sin(t),2))/Math.sqrt(2);
  12.     yp = a * Math.cos(t) * Math.sin(t);
  13.     if (t == 0){
  14.       graphics.moveTo(xp, yp);
  15.     }else{
  16.       graphics.lineTo(xp, yp);
  17.     }
  18.     t += 0.05;
  19. }

While surfing mathworld I stumbled upon the equation for something called the Fish Curve. This snippet will draw something like this:

Also posted in Math | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Astroid Pedal Curve Variation

By Zevan | May 12, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. var xp:Number = 0;
  2. var yp:Number = 0;
  3. var t:Number = 0;
  4. var r:Number = 200;
  5. x = stage.stageWidth / 2;
  6. y = stage.stageHeight / 2;
  7.  
  8. graphics.lineStyle(0,0x000000);
  9. addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onRun);
  10. function onRun(evt:Event):void {
  11.     r = 200 * Math.cos(t / 10);
  12.     xp = r * Math.pow(Math.cos(t), 3);
  13.     yp = r * Math.pow(Math.sin(t), 3);
  14.     if (t == 0){
  15.       graphics.moveTo(xp, yp);
  16.     }else{
  17.       graphics.lineTo(xp, yp);
  18.     }
  19.     t += 0.1;
  20. }

While browsing mathworld I decided to do a variation on this curve . The above snippet will draw something like this:

Also posted in Math | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Circle Mouse Toy

By Zevan | April 24, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. var circles:Array = [];
  2. for (var i:int = 0; i<30; i++){
  3.     var c:Sprite = makeCircle();
  4.     c.x = stage.stageWidth / 2;
  5.     c.y = stage.stageHeight / 2;
  6.     c.scaleX = 1 + i/2;
  7.     c.scaleY = 0.5 + i/4;
  8.     addChild(c);
  9.     circles.push(c);
  10. }
  11. addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onLoop);
  12. function onLoop(evt:Event):void {
  13.     circles[0].y += (mouseY - circles[0].y) / 4;
  14.     for (var i:int = 1; i<circles.length; i++){
  15.         var pre:Sprite = circles[i - 1];
  16.         circles[i].y += (pre.y - circles[i].y) / 4;
  17.     }
  18. }
  19. function makeCircle():Sprite{
  20.     var s:Sprite = new Sprite();
  21.     with(s.graphics){
  22.         lineStyle(0,0x000000);
  23.         drawCircle(0,0,10);
  24.     }
  25.     return s;
  26. }

This morning I woke up with a vision of this simple mouse toy in my head. I decided I might as well code it up... I may do more simple things like this in the next few days, it's relaxing.

Also posted in Graphics, motion | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Logistic Map Play

By Zevan | March 27, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. var offX:Number = 100;
  2. var offY:Number = 300;
  3. var scalarX:Number = 6;
  4. var scalarY:Number = 200;
  5. addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onLoop);
  6. function onLoop(evt:Event):void{
  7.     var r:Number = mouseY / 100;
  8.     var xn:Number = (mouseX - 100) / 650;
  9.     var xn1:Number = 0;
  10.     graphics.clear();
  11.     graphics.lineStyle(0,0);
  12.     for (var i:int = 0; i<100; i++){
  13.       xn1 = r * xn * (1 - xn);
  14.       xn = xn1;
  15.       if (i == 0){
  16.         graphics.moveTo(offX+i*scalarX,offY+xn1*scalarY);  
  17.       }else{
  18.         graphics.lineTo(offX+i*scalarX, offY+xn1*scalarY);
  19.       }
  20.     }
  21. }

Whenever I can't decide what kind of snippet to make, I simply go to wikipedia or mathworld for a bit and I always end up with something. I've messed with Logistic Maps before (when learning about strange attractors). This is a simple rendering where the x and y axis change the biotic potential (r) and the starting value for x.

Here is the link I used for reference.


Have a look at the swf (just move your mouse around).

Also posted in Graphics, Math | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Color Words Motion Capture

By Zevan | March 20, 2010

We're still working on this long term project for medialab prado in madrid. Here is a camera test from today. It uses frame differencing and places names of colors on the areas of motion.


Click here to view the swf file... make sure to move around a bit in front of your web-cam.

Also posted in Announcements | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Connect The Dots E8

By Zevan | March 19, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. [SWF(width = 500, height = 500)]
  2. const TWO_PI:Number = Math.PI * 2;
  3. var centerX:Number = stage.stageWidth / 2;
  4. var centerY:Number = stage.stageHeight / 2;
  5. addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onLoop);
  6. function onLoop(evt:Event):void{
  7.     // data
  8.     var points:Array = [];
  9.     var i:int = 0;
  10.     var pointNum : int = Math.max(2,int(mouseX / 12))
  11.    
  12.     var radius:Number = 200;
  13.     var step:Number = TWO_PI / pointNum;
  14.     var theta:Number = step / 2;
  15.     for (i = 0; i<pointNum; i++){
  16.         var xp:Number = centerX + radius * Math.cos(theta);
  17.         var yp:Number = centerY + radius * Math.sin(theta);
  18.         points[i] = new Point(xp, yp);
  19.         theta += step;
  20.     }
  21.     // render
  22.     graphics.clear();
  23.     graphics.lineStyle(0,0);
  24.     for ( i = 0; i<pointNum; i++){
  25.      var a:Point = points[i];
  26.      for (var j:int = 0; j<pointNum; j++){
  27.         var b:Point = points[j];
  28.         if (a != b){
  29.            graphics.drawCircle(a.x, a.y, 10);
  30.            graphics.moveTo(a.x, a.y);
  31.            graphics.lineTo(b.x, b.y);
  32.         }
  33.      }
  34.    }
  35. }

I've been using this geometric shape for lots of different things recently. Including during consulting gigs as a helpful visualization. Just move your mouse left and right... I particularly like the simpler forms you get by moving your mouse to the left (triangles squares and simple polygons):

While not entirely related this wikipedia article is interesting.

[EDIT : Thanks to martin for reminding me that I can do away with the if statement here in the above code ]

CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. graphics.clear();
  2. graphics.lineStyle(0,0);
  3. for (i = 0; i<pointNum; i++) {
  4.     var a:Point=points[i];
  5.     for (var j:int = i+1; j<pointNum; j++) {
  6.         var b:Point=points[j];
  7.         graphics.drawCircle(a.x, a.y, 10);
  8.         graphics.moveTo(a.x, a.y);
  9.         graphics.lineTo(b.x, b.y);
  10.     }
  11. }
  12. graphics.drawCircle(a.x, a.y, 10);

I implemented that change over at wonderfl and it works nicely

Also posted in Graphics, Math | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Nonsense Clocks

By Zevan | March 15, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. [SWF(width = 500, height=500, backgroundColor=0x000000)]
  2.  
  3. var clockNum:int = 100;
  4. var clocks:Vector.<Function> = new Vector.<Function>(clockNum, true);
  5.  
  6. var clockContainer:Sprite = Sprite(addChild(new Sprite()));
  7. clockContainer.x = stage.stageWidth / 2;
  8. clockContainer.y = stage.stageHeight / 2;
  9. buildClocks();
  10. runClocks();
  11.  
  12. function buildClocks():void{
  13.     for (var i:int = 0; i<clockNum; i++){
  14.         var theta:Number = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
  15.         var radius:Number = Math.random() * 200;
  16.         var xp:Number = radius * Math.cos(theta);
  17.         var yp:Number = radius * Math.sin(theta);
  18.         clocks[i] = makeClock(xp,yp,Math.random() * Math.PI * 2);
  19.     }
  20. }
  21. function runClocks():void{
  22.     addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onRunClocks);
  23. }
  24. function onRunClocks(evt:Event):void{
  25.     for (var i:int = 0; i<clockNum; i++){
  26.         clocks[i]();
  27.     }
  28.     clockContainer.rotationX = clockContainer.mouseY / 30;
  29.     clockContainer.rotationY = -clockContainer.mouseX / 30;
  30. }
  31. function makeClock(x:Number, y:Number, time:Number=0):Function{
  32.     var radius:Number = Math.random() * 20 + 5;
  33.     var border:Number = radius * 0.2;
  34.     var smallRadius:Number = radius - radius * 0.3;
  35.    
  36.     var clock:Sprite = Sprite(clockContainer.addChild(new Sprite()));
  37.     clock.x = x;
  38.     clock.y = y;
  39.     clock.z = 100 - Math.random() * 200;
  40.     clock.rotationX = Math.random() * 40 - 20;
  41.     clock.rotationY = Math.random() * 40 - 20;
  42.     clock.rotationZ = Math.random() * 360;
  43.     return function():void{
  44.         with (clock.graphics){
  45.             clear();
  46.             lineStyle(1,0xFFFFFF);
  47.             drawCircle(0,0,radius + border);
  48.             var xp:Number = smallRadius * Math.cos(time/2);
  49.             var yp:Number = smallRadius * Math.sin(time/2);
  50.             moveTo(0,0);
  51.             lineTo(xp, yp);
  52.             xp = radius * Math.cos(time);
  53.             yp = radius * Math.sin(time);
  54.             moveTo(0,0);
  55.             lineTo(xp, yp);
  56.         }
  57.         time+=0.1;
  58.     }
  59. }


You can go check the swf out at wonderfl.net...

Also posted in 3D, Graphics, motion | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Haskell Inspired zipWith() Function

By Zevan | March 12, 2010
CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. initOperators();
  2.  
  3. trace(zipWith("-", [1,2,3], [1,2,3]));
  4. trace(zipWith("+", [1,2,3], [1,2,3]));
  5. trace(zipWith("*", [1,2,3], [1,2,3]));
  6. trace(zipWith("+", [1,1,1,3], [4,5,6,7]));
  7. trace(zipWith("<<", [2, 4], [1,1]));
  8. /*
  9. outputs:
  10.  
  11. 0,0,0
  12. 2,4,6
  13. 1,4,9
  14. 5,6,7,10
  15. 4,8
  16. */
  17.  
  18. function zipWith(op:String, a:Array, b:Array):Array{
  19.     var aLeng:int = a.length;
  20.     var bLeng:int = b.length;
  21.     var leng:Number = (aLeng <bLeng) ? aLeng : bLeng;
  22.     var zipped:Array = [];
  23.    
  24.     if (!this[op])return [];
  25.    
  26.     for (var i:int = 0; i<leng; i++){
  27.         zipped[i]=this[op](a[i], b[i]);
  28.     }
  29.     return zipped;
  30. }
  31.  
  32. function initOperators():void{
  33.     this["+"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a + b };
  34.     this["-"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a - b };
  35.     this["/"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a / b };
  36.     this["*"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a * b };
  37.     this["%"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a % b };
  38.    
  39.     this["&"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a & b };
  40.     this["<<"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a <<b };
  41.     this["|"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a | b };
  42.     this[">>"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a>> b };
  43.     this[">>>"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a>>> b };
  44.     this["^"]=function(a:Number, b:Number):Number{ return a ^ b };
  45. }

This snippet is basically like the haskell zipWith() function. It can combines two arrays into one array given a single function. In this case I defined a bunch of operator functions, but it would work with any kind of function that takes two arguments and returns a value. You could extend this to work with strings and do other strange things I guess.

If you have yet to go play with haskell ... go do it now.

Also posted in Number, Operators, arrays, binary, functions, return values | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Polar Coordinates Distribution

By Zevan | March 3, 2010

If you're at all interested in watching me free from code. I recorded a video of me coding this snippet (which is about 11 minutes long or so).

In the video I create a few functions that allow you to draw shapes like these:

Mathematically this stuff is really simple ... the free form nature of the video takes a less technical perspective as you'll see (I even made a few funny mistakes).



CLICK HERE TO COPY
Actionscript:
  1. [SWF(width = 600, height = 600)]
  2. var dotNum:int = 1000;
  3. var dotRad:Number = 0.5;
  4.  
  5. x = 120
  6. y = 100;
  7.  
  8. // extra stuff to display what the functions can do
  9. stage.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onDrawAll);
  10.  
  11. function onDrawAll(evt:Event):void{
  12.     graphics.clear();
  13.     for (var i:int = 0; i<16; i++){
  14.         var m:Number;
  15.    
  16.         var rad:Number = 120;
  17.         var xp:Number = i % 4 * rad
  18.         var yp:Number = int(i / 4) * rad
  19.    
  20.         var type:int = int(Math.random() * 4);
  21.         if (type == 0){
  22.           makeShape(xp, yp, rad-60, Math.random() , 1);
  23.         }else if (type == 1){
  24.            makeShape(xp, yp, rad-60, 1,  Math.random());
  25.         }
  26.         else if (type == 2){
  27.            m = Math.random() * 2;
  28.            makeShape(xp, yp, rad-Math.random()*120, m, m);
  29.         }
  30.         else if (type == 3){
  31.            m = Math.random() * 2;
  32.            makeShape(xp, yp, rad-Math.random()*120, m, m/2);
  33.         }
  34.     }
  35. }
  36.  
  37. // main part from the video
  38. function makeShape(xp:Number, yp:Number,
  39.                    maxRad:Number = 100,m0:Number=1,
  40.                    m1:Number=1):void{
  41.     var polarX:Number;
  42.     var polarY:Number;
  43.     var radius:Number;
  44.     graphics.lineStyle(0, 0);
  45.     var theta:Number = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
  46.     for (var i:int = 0; i<dotNum; i++){
  47.         radius = Math.random() * maxRad
  48.         polarX = xp + radius * Math.cos(theta * m0);
  49.         polarY = yp + radius * Math.sin(theta * m1);
  50.         theta += 0.1;
  51.          
  52.         makeDot(polarX, polarY);
  53.        
  54.     }
  55. }
  56.  
  57. function makeDot(xp:Number, yp:Number, fillColor:uint = 0x000000):void{
  58.     graphics.beginFill(fillColor);
  59.     graphics.drawCircle(xp, yp, dotRad);
  60.     graphics.endFill();
  61. }

Here it is over at wonderf:

Also posted in Graphics, Math, functions | Tagged , , | 4 Comments