Patterns


Overview

A Java program that can be used to generate patterns and explore symmetry is available for use. In particular, "edge limit" patterns, "center limit" patterns and patterns where the foreground and background are reversible may be generated. Such patterns were made famous by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher.

A quick understanding of the program's capabilities may be obtained by working the short tutorial included in the help file.

The program consists of a source file and 32 class files.

User Guide

A help file is included with the program. This file describes in detail the capabilities of the program and how to use it.

Operation

The Patterns program is called from an executable file which calls the Java interpreter and passes seven arguments to the program. The seven arguments are:
  1. The path of the browser to be used to display the help file.
  2. The URL of the help file.
  3. The default file from which patterns are read.
  4. The default file to which patterns are written.
  5. The default gif file.
  6. The default gif file width.
  7. The default gif file height.
Two such files are included. The first file is called Patterns.ksh and is suitable for UNIX. Its' contents is shown below:

java Patterns \
c:/'Program Files'/Netscape/Communicator/Program/netscape.exe \
file://c:/'My Files'/Tacoma/Patterns/Standalone/PatternsHelp.html \
pattern pattern pattern.gif 640 480

The second file is called Patterns.bat and is suitable for Windows 95.

Implementation

To implement the program do the following:
  1. Download Patterns.zip.
  2. Decide on a directory to hold the program.
  3. Unzip Patterns.zip into this directory using WinZip or a program with the same capability.
  4. Edit the Patterns or Patterns.bat file to reflect your needs paying particular attention to the seven arguments which define your options.
  5. Test the program.

Files

The following files are included in Patterns.zip.

Source Code

For those persons wishing to modify the program, the following files are of interest:

References

  1. The Infinite World of M. C. Escher - Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York 1984.
  2. An Implementation of the Henderson Picture Language - Lisp: A Language for Stratified Design - By Harold Abelson and Gerald Jay Sussman - Byte February 1988

Other Programs

Please take a look at my Paint program. and the internet version of my Patterns program.

Contact

This program was written by Brian Prentice who may be contacted at bprentice@webenet.net.

If you use this program please send a postcard of your home town to the following address and if possible use an interesting stamp.

Brian Prentice,
355, So 8th St., #1
Coos Bay OR 97420
USA