Egyptian Motif

Hexagonal Design Hexagonal Design in color

Much Islamic art applies principles of geometry and repeats simple patterns to form complex forms. For example, the Egyptian Motif above has six overlapping rectangles.

In this project, you will learn how to extend your pinwheel code from Unit 1 to create such intricate patterns.

  1. In this project, you will repeatedly use rectangles, so first recall how to create a rectangle block.
    rectangle, width:(width) length:(length){pen down; repeat(2){move(width) steps; turn clockwise (90) degrees; move(length) steps; turn clockwise (90) degrees};pen up}
    Note the use of pen down and pen up blocks inside the rectangle definition. We don't normally do this but here this is done to simplify the more complex code coming ahead. This will ensure that once a rectangle is drawn, the pen is up and you don’t need to worry about unintended scribbles as your drawing sprite continues moving to execute the rest of the code.
  2. Also recall the pinwheel code you have written in Unit 1.
    pinwheel, branches:(number of branches) size:(size) backup:(backup){repeat(number of branches){move(size) steps; move(-1Xbackup) steps; turn clockwise(360/number of branches) degrees}}
  3. In this project, you will replace the pinwheel branches with rectangles as shown below. Note use of color is optional and is used here for clarity.
    Multicolored pinwheel Multicolored pinwheel with rectangles
    Now create a pinwheel with rectangles block. It will have two more inputs width and length for the width and length of the rectangles.
    pinwheel with rectangles, branches:(number of branches) size:(size) backup:(backup) width:(width) length:(length)
    Its code will be identical to the pinwheel code except that it has the rectangle block inserted in between the two move blocks that created the pinwheel branches.
    move(size) steps; rectangle, width:(width) length:(length); move(-1Xbackup) steps
  4. Now, use the “Variables” menu to make variables that will allow you to vary all aspects of the designs you create and do not forget to initialize these variables right after the when green flag clicked block
    Make variables: length, width, backup, size, number of branchesInitialize variables
  5. You can turn these variables to alterable sliders by right-clicking on the variable icon that is shown on stage and choosing the “slider” option. And then you can set the minimum and maximum values of a slider as shown.
    Turn variables to slidersSlider maximumSetting slider maximum
    The following should be reasonable values for the minimum and maximum of each variable:
    You can change these minimum and maximum values as you generate and explore new designs.
     Variable MinimumMaximum
     number of branches  3 36
     size   0 100
     backup   0 100
     width   0 150
     length   0 150
  6. Click on the animation below to see an example of how you can use the slider functionality in Snap! to generate and explore a vast number of variations of your designs.
    Slider Animation Demo
  7. Your code needs to make sure that the computer is always on the watch in case any of the variables are changed by the user via the sliders. You can do so with a forever block.
    forever{warp{clear; pinwheel with rectangles, branches:(number of branches) size:(size) backup:(backup) width:(width) length:(length) }}
    The warp block makes sure that the pinwheel with rectangles is drawn all at once rather than step by step.
  8. Once the code is written check to make sure everything works as intended. You may need to position your drawing spite appropriately to make best use of the stage you have. Now move each of your sliders to generate and explore a vast variety of designs inspired by Islamic art.
    9. Use these buttons to maximize your stage to give enough room for your sliders.
    Stage maximizing buttons
  1. Add color to your rectangles by inserting set pen color to (red) into the start of the warp block in the forever loop and insertingchange pen color by (10) into the pinwheel with rectangles code.
  1. Take screenshots of your creations and share with the class. Put them on a class web page if you have one. Below are some examples of the types of variations you can generate.
    You may want to hide the drawing Sprite (Arrow) before taking the screenshots of your designs.
    Multi-Color Design A Multi-Color Design BMulti-Color Design C
    Multi-Color Design DMulti-Color Design EMulti-Color Design F
 
  1. Repeat all the steps of this project but, instead of using rectangles, use polygons.
    Triangle Pinwheel Hexagonal PinwheelDodecagonal Pinwheel
  2. Read more about Islamic art and find other patterns that would lend themselves to explorations by programming.
    Islamic pattern 1 Islamic pattern 2