PROCESSING

The splash screen of Version 3 of the Processing software.

The main work space of Version 3 of the Processing software running in Java. The software has many modes that can be enabled to help fit the style of environment to which the code will be operating within (example Android, Python etc.)

Introduction

Understanding The Features

Processing is a flexible software sketchbook and a language for learning how to code within the context of the visual arts. Since 2001, Processing has promoted software literacy within the visual arts and visual literacy within technology. There are tens of thousands of students, artists, designers, researchers, and hobbyists who use Processing for learning and prototyping.
- Homepage, Processing.org

Below is a diagram exploring the application's features.

File: Gives the user options regarding saving, exporting printing the code. Also contains the 'Preferences' section for setting up the the program.

Edit: Gives the user basic command keys like to undo, redo, cut, copy as well as changing the indentation of the code and a basic 'find' search box.

Sketch: Gives the option to 'run' the code as well as add library's to you're code (language library's).

Debug: Provides a list options into finding and fixing errors within the code.

Tools: Gives a selection of necessary tools related to assisting with code including font selection, color selection and a movie making script.

Help: Provides a selection of help options for troubleshooting, software versions, first time user guides and FAQ's.

Console: Shows whats running in terms of plugins and run-time environments.

Errors: Shows which lines of the code are incorrect and what specific issue is.

Play/Stop: Playback option to run and stop the code in it's selected environment (In this case Java).

Debugger: Enables the debugging mode within the console.

Mode: Selects the mode to which the code will be running in.

Tabs: Gives the option to cycle through the tabs (If multiple ones are being used).

Console: Where the code will be written.

Hello Processing (Introduction Into Coding)

This is part one of the Hello Processing video from 'helloprocessing.org'. The full continuing parts can be found on their website.

Experimenting With Processing

The first part of experimenting with processing myself consisted of creating a few basic geometric shapes. The coding for these shapes works based on 4 sets of numbers. The first 2 state the coordinates of the shape, the last 2 state the size.

After the first part I applied color the the outline, fill and backgrounds. In this case it worked on an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color system. 3 numbers the first representing Red, second Green and so on. 0 represents black all the way up to 255 (Full color).

The key part of the Processing software is that it is an 'open project' meaning that people can freely alter, tweak it to there own needs. Potentially hundreds of people can have an input into the making of the software to help improve it's features for the benefit of the community with each upgrade. The software features many 3rd party software integrated into it's core to help add to it's large feature library like OpenGL for enhanced 2D/3D output acceleration. It also has the availability to be used across a spread of operating systems like Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and uniquely Linux OS's like Ubuntu, Fedora and my personal favorite OpenSUSE.

Keeping with the same design I then moved up a level by making the sketch interactive, so as the mouse moves the shapes move as well.

This design is identical to the previous interactive on except it also keeps tack of the path to where the shapes been.

Identical to the previous interactive sketch except when the mouse is clicked it refreshes itself taking it back to it's original form.

This design uses lines that like the previous create a path of where its moved with the mouse action.

We were given a task to try and create a house. I created this through using coordinated lines for the roof and aligned squares to make up the body of the house as well as the windows. I then used rectangles to make up the doors. I also created a 'sun' like thing based off the previous design.

Afterwards we were told to apply data and represent in a certain way. I used the frequency of certain car brands I see per month. To start I used OpenOffice Calc (freeware version of Excel) to organize my data and afterwards applied the data to the code to create a graphical representation in the sketches output.

FINAL
EXPERIMENTAL
OUTCOME

This design was one I did entirely for my own benefit to help explore my style of abstract design. It is made up of continuous evolving lines made up of a selection of 4 colors.