Creating A Chess Board With Python Turtle Graphics

Python Turtle is a built-in module in Python that allows users to create drawings using a screen and a turtle (pen). To draw a chessboard, you can use various functions like forward(), backward(), penup(), goto(), pendown(), begin_fill(), fillcolor(), and end_fill() to move the turtle and create the desired pattern. The chessboard consists of 64 squares, with each square having a different colour. The code will use nested for loops to iterate over the rows and columns of the chessboard, filling each square with the appropriate colour.

Importing the turtle library

To create a chessboard using Python Turtle, the first step is to import the turtle library of Python into your code. The turtle library in Python provides a simple way to create graphics and shapes using a virtual turtle.

Python

Import turtle

This will give you access to all the functions and methods provided by the turtle library, such as `forward()`, `backward(), `right(), `left(), `penup(), `pendown(), `begin_fill()`, `fillcolor()`, and `end_fill().

Once you have imported the turtle library, you can create a screen object and a turtle object. The turtle object will be used to draw the chessboard. Here's an example:

Python

Sc = turtle.Screen()

Cb = turtle.Turtle()

In this code, `sc` is the screen object, and `cb` is the turtle object. You can choose meaningful names for your variables to make your code more readable.

Now that you have imported the turtle library and created the necessary objects, you can start using the functions and methods provided by the turtle library to draw your chessboard.

Remember, the turtle library in Python behaves like a drawing board, and you can use various drawing commands to create graphics and shapes.

Creating a screen object

Importing the Turtle Module

First, you need to import the Turtle module, which provides the necessary functions and classes for creating graphics. You can import the module using the following line:

Python

Import turtle

Creating the Screen Object

Now, you can create the screen object using the `turtle.Screen()` method. This method returns a singleton object of the `TurtleScreen` subclass. Here's an example:

Python

Sc = turtle.Screen()

Setting Up the Screen Size and Position

You can set the size and position of the screen using the `setup()` method of the `turtle.Screen()` object. Here's an example:

Python

Sc.setup(width=500, height=400, startx=50, starty=50)

In this example, the screen size is set to 500x400 pixels, and the starting position is set to 50 pixels from the left and top edges of the screen. You can adjust these values according to your needs.

Setting the Background Color

You can set the background color of the screen using the `bgcolor()` method. For example:

Python

Sc.bgcolor("cyan")

This will set the background color of the screen to cyan. You can use any valid color name or color code.

Creating Turtle Objects

Once you have the screen set up, you can create turtle objects to draw on the screen. Here's an example:

Python

T1 = turtle.Turtle(shape='square')

T2 = turtle.Turtle(shape='circle')

In this example, two turtle objects are created, `t1` with a square shape and `t2` with a circle shape.

Moving and Drawing with Turtles

You can use the turtle objects to move and draw on the screen. Here are some basic methods for moving the turtles:

• `forward(distance)`: Move the turtle forward by the specified distance.
• `backward(distance)`: Move the turtle backward by the specified distance.
• `right(angle)`: Turn the turtle right by the specified angle.
• `left(angle)`: Turn the turtle left by the specified angle.

For example, to move `t1` forward by 100 pixels and then turn left by 90 degrees, you can use:

Python

T1.forward(100)

T1.left(90)

Getting a List of Turtles on the Screen

If you have multiple turtles on the screen, you can get a list of all the turtles using the `turtles()` method of the `turtle.Screen()` object:

Python

All_turtles = sc.turtles()

This will return a list of all the turtle objects on the screen.

Exiting the Turtle Window

To exit the turtle window and close the graphics window, you can use the `done()` method:

Python

Turtle.done()

Additional Customizations

There are many more methods and functions available in the Turtle module to customize your graphics window and turtle drawings. Here are some additional resources to explore:

• [TurtleScreen class documentation](https://docs.python.org/3/library/turtle.html#turtle.Screen)
• [Turtle graphics tutorial](https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/thinkcspy/PythonTurtle/OurFirstTurtleProgram.html)
• [GeeksforGeeks Turtle tutorials](https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/python-turtle-graphics-module/)

Creating a turtle object

To create a turtle object, you can use the following code:

Python

Import turtle

Create a screen object

Sc = turtle.Screen()

Create a turtle object

Pen = turtle.Turtle()

Here, we first import the turtle module, which provides a simple way to create graphics and shapes using a virtual turtle. We then create a screen object, which serves as the canvas for our turtle graphics. Finally, we create a turtle object named "pen" that will be used to draw shapes and move around the screen.

You can customise the turtle object by setting its position, colour, and speed. For example:

Python

Set the position of the turtle object

Pen.setpos(x, y)

Set the colour of the turtle object

Pen.color("black")

Set the speed of the turtle object

Pen.speed(10)

The `setpos()` method takes in two arguments, `x` and `y`, which specify the coordinates of the turtle's position on the screen. The `color()` method allows you to set the colour of the turtle or the colour of its trail. The `speed()` method controls how fast the turtle moves when drawing or moving.

Once you have created and customised your turtle object, you can start using it to draw shapes and perform other actions. For example, you can use methods like `forward()`, `backward()`, `left()`, and `right()` to move the turtle and draw lines.

Here's an example of how you can use the turtle object to draw a square:

Python

Def draw_square():

For i in range(4):

Pen.forward(50)

Pen.left(90)

Draw_square()

In this example, we define a function called `draw_square()` that uses a for loop to move the turtle forward by a certain distance and then turn it left by 90 degrees four times, creating a square. We then call the `draw_square()` function to execute the square-drawing code.

You can also use the turtle object to fill shapes with colour:

Python

Pen.fillcolor("black")

Pen.begin_fill()

Draw_square()

Pen.end_fill()

In this example, we set the fill colour of the turtle using `fillcolor()`, start filling the shape with the specified colour using `begin_fill`(), draw the square, and then stop filling using `end_fill`().

By combining these methods and customising your turtle object, you can create complex drawings, animations, and even games using Python Turtle.

Defining a method to draw a square

To define a method to draw a square in Python Turtle, you can use the following code:

Python

Def draw():

For i in range(4):

Cb.forward(30)

Cb.left(90)

Cb.forward(30)

This code defines a function called `draw()` that uses a for loop to draw the four sides of the square. The `cb` variable represents the turtle object, which is used to draw shapes on the screen. Inside the loop, the turtle first moves forward by a distance of 30 pixels (`cb.forward(30)`), then turns left by 90 degrees (`cb.left(90)`), and then moves forward again by 30 pixels (`cb.forward(30)`). This sequence of commands creates one side of the square. The loop repeats this process four times to complete the square.

You can then call this `draw()` function within another loop to create multiple squares, as shown in the following code snippet:

Python

For i in range(8):

# not ready to draw

Cb.up()

# set position for every row

Cb.setpos(-100, 30 * i)

# ready to draw

Cb.down()

# row

For j in range(8):

# conditions for alternative color

If (i + j) % 2 == 0:

Col = 'black'

Else:

Col = 'white'

# fill with given color

Cb.fillcolor(col)

# start filling with colour

Cb.begin_fill()

# call method draw()

Draw()

# stop filling

Cb.end_fill()

In this code, the outer loop (`for i in range(8):`) iterates over the rows of the chessboard, and the inner loop (`for j in range(8):`) iterates over the columns. The up() and down() methods are used to control when the turtle draws lines. The setpos() method sets the position of the turtle for each row. The fillcolor() and begin_fill() methods fill each square with a color based on its position, and the end_fill() method stops filling the square.

By defining the `draw()` method and using it within the nested loops, you can efficiently create a chessboard pattern with alternating black and white squares.

Setting the screen dimensions and turtle speed

Setting up the Screen and Turtle Objects:

Firstly, you need to import the turtle module, which is built into Python. This module provides a simple way to create graphics using a virtual turtle. Here's how you can import it:

Python

Import turtle

Next, you'll create a screen object and a turtle object. The screen object sets up the drawing area, while the turtle object acts as your pen or drawing tool. Here's how you can create these objects:

Python

Sc = turtle.Screen()

Cb = turtle.Turtle()

In this example, `sc` is the screen object, and `cb` is the turtle object.

Setting the Screen Dimensions:

To set the dimensions of the screen, you can use the setup() method provided by the turtle module. This method takes the width and height of the screen as arguments. Here's how you can set the screen dimensions:

Python

Sc.setup(width, height)

Replace `width` and `height` with your desired values. For example, if you want a screen width of 400 pixels and a height of 600 pixels, you would use:

Python

Sc.setup(400, 600)

Setting the Turtle Speed:

The turtle module allows you to control the speed at which the turtle moves when drawing. You can set the turtle speed using the speed() method. Here's how you can do it:

Python

Cb.speed(speed)

The `speed` parameter can take different values to control the speed. Here are some common speed values and their effects:

• `0`: Fastest speed, but you may not see the turtle moving.
• `1`: Faster speed, but still quite fast.
• `2` to `9`: Slower speeds, with 2 being slower than 3, and so on.
• `10`: Slowest speed, allowing you to see each step of the turtle's movement.

For example, if you want to set the turtle speed to 10 (slowest), you would use:

Python

Cb.speed(10)

By setting the screen dimensions and turtle speed, you're now ready to start drawing your chessboard using Python Turtle. You can continue with defining a method to draw squares and then loop through to create the entire chessboard.

Frequently asked questions