
Turtle graphics is a popular geometric drawing tool that was first introduced in Logo, developed by Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert and Cynthia Solomon in 1967. It involves a robotic turtle that starts at (0, 0) in the x-y plane and can be given commands to move and draw. In Python, turtle graphics provides a representation of this physical turtle, allowing users to create drawings and shapes through code.
One of the key features of turtle graphics is the ability to define and call functions. Functions are a way to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces. By defining a function, you can abstract a series of steps into a single command, making your code more organised and easier to understand.
For example, let's say you want to draw a square using turtle graphics. Instead of writing the same code over and over again, you can define a function called square that encapsulates the necessary steps. Then, whenever you want to draw a square, you simply call the square function.
Here's an example of how you might define a function to draw a square:
python
def square():
for _ in range(4):
turtle.forward(50)
turtle.left(90)
In this function, we use a for loop to repeat the following two steps four times: move forward by 50 pixels and turn left by 90 degrees. This creates a square shape.
Once you've defined the square function, you can call it whenever you need to draw a square. For instance:
python
turtle.penup()
turtle.goto(100, 100)
turtle.pendown()
square()
In this code snippet, we first move the turtle to a specific location on the screen (100, 100) and then call the square function to draw a square at that location.
Functions can also take parameters, allowing you to customise the behaviour of the function when you call it. For example, you could modify the square function to take a size parameter, which would allow you to specify the size of the square when you call the function.
Here's an updated version of the square function that takes a size parameter:
python
def square(size):
for _ in range(4):
turtle.forward(size)
turtle.left(90)
Now, when you call the square function, you can pass in the desired size as an argument. For example:
python
square(100) # Draw a square with a size of 100 pixels
By using functions effectively, you can create more modular and reusable code, making it easier to create complex drawings and shapes with turtle graphics.
What You'll Learn
- Turtle graphics is an implementation of the popular geometric drawing tools introduced in Logo, developed by Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert and Cynthia Solomon in 1967
- The Python turtle module has functions and methods for graphics program development
- Turtle Functions relate to animation control, moving, and drawing
- Turtle functions can be used to draw a square
- Turtle functions can be used to draw a hexagon
Turtle graphics is an implementation of the popular geometric drawing tools introduced in Logo, developed by Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert and Cynthia Solomon in 1967
Turtle graphics is an implementation of the popular geometric drawing tools introduced in Logo, a programming language designed in 1967 by Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert and Cynthia Solomon. The three were working at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based research firm Bolt, Beranek and Newman at the time.
Turtle graphics was originally created as an educational tool for teachers to use in the classroom. It provides an effective and well-proven way for learners to encounter programming concepts and interact with software, as it provides instant, visible feedback. It also provides convenient access to graphical output in general.
Imagine a robotic turtle starting at (0, 0) in the x-y plane. After an import turtle, give it the command turtle.forward(15), and it moves (on-screen!) 15 pixels in the direction it is facing, drawing a line as it moves. Give it the command turtle.right(25), and it rotates in-place 25 degrees clockwise.
The turtle can draw intricate shapes using programs that repeat simple moves. For example, to draw a triangle, you can use the following commands: forward(100) left(120) forward(100).
Turtle graphics in Python provides a representation of a physical "turtle" (a little robot with a pen) that draws on a sheet of paper on the floor. The turtle's screen can be customised, for example, by changing the title or background colour.
Logo is widely known for its use of turtle graphics, and the language was conceived to teach concepts of programming related to Lisp. The use of virtual turtles allowed for immediate visual feedback and debugging of graphic programming. The first working Logo turtle robot was created in 1969, and modern Logo has not changed very much from the basic concepts predating the first turtle.
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The Python turtle module has functions and methods for graphics program development
The Python turtle module provides a fun and engaging way to learn programming concepts and create graphics. It offers an intuitive approach to coding by allowing users to control a virtual "turtle" on the screen, giving it commands such as "move forward" or "turn left." As the turtle moves, it can draw lines, shapes, or more complex patterns, providing immediate visual feedback. This makes it an excellent tool for teaching programming fundamentals to beginners, especially in classroom settings.
The turtle module is part of the standard Python library, so no additional installations are required. To get started, simply import the module using `import turtle`. The turtle can then be controlled using various functions and methods provided by the module. Basic movements can be achieved using commands like `turtle.forward(distance)` and `turtle.right(angle)`, while more complex shapes and patterns can be created using loops and functions.
For example, to draw a square, you can use a loop to repeat the forward and turning movements four times:
Python
Import turtle
T = turtle.Turtle()
For _ in range(4):
T.forward(100)
T.right(90)
Turtle.done()
Turtle graphics also allows customization of the turtle's movement, direction, line thickness, and color. You can use functions like `turtle.pensize(width)`, `turtle.speed(speed)`, and `turtle.color(color)` to modify these attributes.
In addition to simple shapes, turtle graphics can be used to create intricate geometric patterns, animations, fractals, and even interactive games or drawings. For instance, you can create a spiral pattern by combining loops and changing the turtle's direction and color:
Python
Import turtle
T = turtle.Turtle()
For _ in range(36):
For _ in range(5):
T.forward(100)
T.right(144)
T.right(10)
Turtle.done()
Turtle graphics provides an excellent foundation for learning programming concepts and offers a creative outlet for coders of all levels. It encourages experimentation and exploration, making it a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced programmers looking to sharpen their skills.
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Turtle Functions relate to animation control, moving, and drawing
The turtle module provides a function to control the speed at which the turtle moves on the screen. You can speed up or slow down the turtle’s animation speed using the turtle.speed() function. This function controls how quickly the turtle turns and moves forward. Speed settings can be set between 1 (slowest) to 10 (fastest). If you set the speed to 0, it has a special meaning. It turns off animation and the turtle goes as fast as possible.
The turtle.delay() function sets a time delay between two consecutive frame updates. The higher the delay number, the slower the animation.
The turtle.tracer() function turns turtle animation on/off and sets a delay for update drawings. The first argument n updates every nth screen. The second argument delay sets the delay as explained above (sets a delay for drawing updates).
The turtle.update() function performs a Turtle Screen update. The update() function is used when the tracer() is OFF. The update() function tells Python to refresh the window with the new image.
The turtle.stamp() function allows a turtle to "stamp" its footprint onto the canvas, and this will remain after the turtle has moved somewhere else. Stamping works even when the pen is up.
The turtle.bgcolor() function sets or returns the background color of the TurtleScreen.
The turtle.screensize() function resizes the canvas the turtles are drawing on.
The turtle.setheading() function sets the orientation of the turtle to a specified angle.
The turtle.write() function writes text on the screen.
The turtle.hideturtle() and turtle.showturtle() functions make the turtle invisible or visible, respectively.
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Turtle functions can be used to draw a square
Turtle graphics is an implementation of the popular geometric drawing tools introduced in Logo, developed by Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert and Cynthia Solomon in 1967. Imagine a robotic turtle starting at (0, 0) in the x-y plane. After an import turtle, give it the command turtle.forward(15), and it moves (on-screen!) 15 pixels in the direction it is facing, drawing a line as it moves.
In Python, the turtle module allows us to create graphics easily in our code. We can use the turtle module to make all sorts of shapes in Python. For example, we can draw circles and triangles easily in Python with the turtle module.
Squares are easy to draw because every side has the same length. We can define a function that takes in the side length and loops four times, drawing each side and rotating 90 degrees until the loop is done.
Python
Import turtle
Def draw_square(length):
For i in range(0, 4):
T.forward(length)
T.right(90)
Draw_square(100)
In this code, we first import the turtle module, which provides the necessary functions and classes for creating turtle graphics. We then define a function called draw_square that takes in the length of the square's sides as an argument. Inside the function, we use a for loop to repeat the following four steps:
- Move the turtle forward by the specified length.
- Turn the turtle 90 degrees to the right.
- Move the turtle forward by the specified length again.
- Turn the turtle another 90 degrees to the right.
By repeating these steps four times, we draw four sides of equal length, forming a square. Finally, we call the draw_square function with the desired length as an argument to draw the square on the screen.
We can also draw squares with different colours in Python using the turtle module. For example, we can change the colour of the lines and fill the square with a different colour. Here is an example:
Python
Import turtle
T = turtle.Turtle()
T.pencolor("green")
T.fillcolor("light blue")
T.begin_fill()
Def draw_square(length):
For i in range(0, 4):
T.forward(length)
T.right(90)
Draw_square(100)
T.end_fill()
In this code, we first create a Turtle object t and set its pen colour to green using the pencolor() function. We then set the fill colour to "light blue" using the fillcolor() function. Next, we call the begin_fill() function to indicate that we want to fill the shape we are about to draw. We then call the draw_square function to draw the square, and finally, we call end_fill() to complete the filling of the square.
Turtle graphics provide an effective and well-proven way for learners to encounter programming concepts and interact with software, as it provides instant, visible feedback. It is also a convenient way to generate graphical output in Python code.
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Turtle functions can be used to draw a hexagon
Turtle graphics is a Python feature like a drawing board, which lets us command a turtle to draw all over it. We can use many turtle functions that can move the turtle around. Turtle comes in the turtle library. The turtle module can be used in both object-oriented and procedure-oriented ways.
Some of the commonly used methods are:
- Forward(length): moves the pen in the forward direction by x units.
- Backward(length): moves the pen in the backward direction by x units.
- Right(angle): rotates the pen in the clockwise direction by an angle x.
- Left(angle): rotates the pen in the anticlockwise direction by an angle x.
- Penup(): stops the drawing of the turtle pen.
- Pendown(): starts the drawing of the turtle pen.
To draw a hexagon, we can define an instance for turtle and execute a loop 6 times. In every iteration, we move the turtle 90 units forward and move it left 300 degrees. This will make a hexagon.
Python
Import the turtle modules
Import turtle
Start a work Screen
Ws = turtle.Screen()
Define a Turtle Instance
GeekyTurtle = turtle.Turtle()
Executing loop 6 times for 6 sides
For i in range(6):
Move forward by 90 units
GeekyTurtle.forward(90)
Turn left the turtle by 300 degrees
GeekyTurtle.left(300)
We can also use a recursive approach to draw a hexagon grid pattern. Each side of the initial hexagon is itself a hexagon, and so forth, filling the available space. Here is an example of Python code that uses recursion to draw a hexagon grid:
Python
From turtle import Screen, Turtle
SIDE = 75 # pixels
Def hexagon(side, depth):
If depth > 0:
For _ in range(6):
Turtle.forward(side)
Turtle.right(60)
Hexagon(side, depth - 1)
Turtle.left(120)
Screen = Screen()
Screen.tracer(False) # hide the drawing process
Turtle = Turtle()
Turtle.penup()
Turtle.width(2)
Turtle.sety(-SIDE) # center hexagons on window
Turtle.pendown()
Turtle.left(30) # optional, orient hexagons
Hexagon(SIDE, depth=6) # depth depends on coverage area
Turtle.hideturtle()
Screen.tracer(True)
Screen.exitonclick()
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Frequently asked questions
You can call a function with Turtle Graphics by using the def keyword in Python. For example:
```python
def line_without_moving():
turtle.forward(50)
turtle.backward(50)
```
To use or call this function, simply write its name followed by parentheses:
```python
line_without_moving()
```
Some common functions in Turtle Graphics include:
- `turtle.setheading(to_angle)`: Sets the orientation of the turtle to the specified angle.
- `turtle.stamp()`: Allows the turtle to "stamp" its footprint on the canvas, leaving an imprint even when the pen is up.
- `turtle.bgcolor(*args)`: Sets the background colour of the Turtle Screen.
- `turtle.screensize(canvwidth=None, canvheight=None, bg=None)`: Resizes the canvas the turtles are drawing on without altering the drawing window.
- `turtle.speed()`: Controls the speed at which the turtle moves and turns.
- `turtle.showturtle()`: Makes the turtle visible.
- `turtle.hideturtle()`: Makes the turtle invisible.
You can create your own functions by defining them with the `def` keyword and then calling them using parentheses. For example, to create a function that draws a square:
```python
def square():
for _ in range(4):
turtle.forward(50)
turtle.left(90)
```
Then, you can call this function by writing its name followed by parentheses:
```python
square()
```