Mailman 3 December 2000 - Edu-sig

number-line graphics for teaching arithmetic
by Fred Yankowski Jan. 4, 2001

Jan. 4, 2001

My 7-year-old son is learning arithmetic and I'd like him to be able to play with some kind of interactive number line program in order to learn some visualizations of arithmetic. I'm thinking that this group -- with its keen interest in Python and graphics -- might have some suggestions of how I could find/create such a program. Here are some scenarios of use: + Child types "8 + 5" into a text box (or describes that same calculation in some point&click interface). Program then displays a number line with a vector drawn from 0 to 8, labeled with the quantity "8", and another vector drawn from 8 to 13, labeled "5". + Child types "16 - 9". Program displays a vector from 0 to 16 and another vector of length 9 from 16 back to 7. + As above, but program also draws an additional vector to represent the sum of the original vectors. + Working from the graphic for "8 + 5", the child drags the right-most end of the "5" vector. The program interactively redraws the "5" vector, relabeling it to new lengths based on current pointer location. Only whole-number points on the number line can be selected. As you can see, this is quite trivial. The goal (at least at first) is not to teach programming, but rather to provide an interactive visualization of basic arithmetic. Even so, Python seems well-suited. So what graphic packages might work well with Python to allow me to do this? The ability to deploy the resulting application via a web page would be a big plus, but not essential. (Thinking about that last point, perhaps Flash might be the way to go in the long run.) -- Fred Yankowski fred(a)OntoSys.com tel: +1.630.879.1312 Principal Consultant www.OntoSys.com fax: +1.630.879.1370 OntoSys, Inc 38W242 Deerpath Rd, Batavia, IL 60510, USA

4 5

PyGeo available
by Arthur Siegel Dec. 28, 2000

Dec. 28, 2000

Group - PyGeo as is can be retrieved from: http://home.ix.netcom.com/~ajs/zipfiles/ Sample scripts included in the zip file. Also there is javageo - a web-enabled java version for anybody interested in taking a look. The announcement comes with my usual demand that all within earshot drop what they are doing, retrieve, explore for 1.75 hours and revert with laudatory comments in a timely manner. ART

1 0

re: PyGeo
by Arthur Siegel Dec. 28, 2000

Dec. 28, 2000

Dethe, Thanks for the interest. PyGeo is a basic dynamic spacial (3d) geometry app. One defines geometric relationships by Python script and then can manipulate the resulting construction interactively, observing the change on the construction as a whole from a change in position of some point defining the construction. The rendering is all with PyOpenGL, the matrix math with Numeric, the rest just Python. I did do a Java3d vecmath clone "wrapper" around Numeric (in Python) to allow one to access Numeric using method calls more standard to a 3d graphics matrix library. Performance, on complex constructions, sucks. Whether that's my coding (my Numeric "wrapper" is suspect from a performance point of view), Tkinter, or whatever. But it is quite spunky on simpler constructions. And performance, for its purpose, (the codes the text), is mostly besides the point. Now with compiled PyOpenGL and Numeric again available I will put it up again where interested folks might take a look. I hate doing HTML - so I won't hold it up to do a "page". I'll simply put it up where it can be fetched. Tonight, tomorrow. I'll note it here with a cite when its available. ART

3 2

re: Seasons of Light
by Arthur Siegel Dec. 27, 2000

Dec. 27, 2000

>>It looks like Lightflow only works with 1.5.2, is that correct? Yes. It's an extension compiled against 1.5. I had to reinstall 1.5.2 to use it. My 2.0 and 1.5.2 installs on Windows2000 seem to be at peace with each other - so I'm at peace with having had to reinstall. Less at peace with having to undo my Python2.0 changes to PyGeo (import OpenGL as GL; self.array -= p1.array,etc) to see what I might be able to do with it and Lightflow. Assumedly a 2.0 compatible Lightflow will come along before long.

1 0

My new CP4E Mega Theory
by Arthur Siegel Dec. 26, 2000

Dec. 26, 2000

Group - Devoting time to some redesign of PyGeo - trying to emphasis the concept of the sourcecode as an integral part of the application - using the app and attempting to gain an understanding how it is doing what it is doing are intended to be two sides of one coin. Where this is leading me: 1) Simplification - less attempts at bells and whistles. Killed much of the GUI stuff, e.g 2) Source code annotation - the source is the text. Doing it is hard and boring at the same time. I'll see how long my enthusiasm lasts and how far I get. But most interestingly (here's the Mega Theory part) - 3) Using OOP to layer complexity. The top-level classes accessed directly by scripts are simplest, which inherit from classes which reveal more of the basic analytics, which inherit from classes which wrap Numeric in friendlier terms and handle more of the advanced analytics and matrix algebra, which inherit from Numeric, which extends C, where I get lost. Younger or less motivated observers will stop at top-level classes and hopefully learn a good deal about programming and geometry. Other folks might trace the path beyond where I choose to stop. But the basic concept of using inheritance in this way has general significance in a CP4E sense, I believe. And in the CP4E sense, is a better alternative - I believe - to relegating Python to the role of simple scripting of compiled code (e.g, C or C++), which (even if opensource) is beyond the reach of most of us anxious to take a peek behind the Wizard's curtain - the languages being different and the shift in levels of complexity (not necessarily because of the languages themselves, but more because of a shift in focus by the creator) too abrupt. ART

2 1

re: Lightflow again
by Arthur Siegel Dec. 26, 2000

Dec. 26, 2000

Sorry for the multi-posts - and the change of subjects a bit from CP4E to general Python advocacy. But finding Lightflow quite exciting. Seems to be very much the up and coming raytracer/radiosity engine. 3dWin (and its crossplatform engine - 3dto3d) - which is a 3d file format converter which has been on the scene for many years - now includes the ability to import files from standard 3d modeler formats (3dStudio, Lightwave, AutoDesk) and output Python files which can be rendered by Lightflow. Just thought it interesting to see Lightflow as the impetus for work on the automated generation of Python code. Do any other such examples exist?

3 2

re: Lightflow = Fw: Announce: 3DWin 4.5a, a 3D file format converter with OpenGL Support
by Jason Cunliffe Dec. 26, 2000

Dec. 26, 2000

Note: export to Lightflow (*.py) funcion - Jason ---------------------------------------------- From: <thomas.baier(a)stmuc.com> > Hi, > > TB Software presents the new version of 3DWin, the 3D file format converter. > Beside several mesh processing features it offers full uv and material support for various 3d file formats. > 3DWinOGL is a new member of the 3DWin product line. It bases on the 3DWin engine and adds visual support > during the conversion process with help of OpenGL. > > 3DWin's strength is the high stability of processing different file formats. > "Quality not Quantity" is the motto of the software development when commenting number of supported file formats. > > 3DWin is available at > http://www.stmuc.com/thbaier > > This update is free for registered users. > > > What's new: > > * new 3DWinOGL beta (registered users only) > * support for PovRay 3.5 > * LW support for detail polygons > > Fixes: > > * Direct X out fix > > The Basics: > > * running under Win95/98/NT4/W2K > * easy installation > * plugin architecture > * updates via support web page. > * clear and comfortable userinterface > * full help support > * fast and robust conversion routines > * reliable handling of larges scenes > * detailed statistics about conversion process > * supports polygon meshes including normals and uv vectors > * supports light and camera conversion > * supports material and image map conversion (registered version only) > * batch processing (registered version only) > * Quadview OpenGL support > > Import: > > Generic ASCII format (*.raw) > 3dStudio (*.3ds, *.prj) > Lightwave (*.lwo, *.lws) > Autodesk (*.dxf) > WaveFront (*.obj) > Protein Data Bank (*.pdb) > Direct X (*.x) > LightWave (*.lwo, *.lws) > Quake MDL (*.mdl, *.md2) > > Export: > Generic ASCII format (*.raw) > 3dStudio (*.3ds, *.asc) > Autodesk (*.dxf) > VRML 1.0/2.0 (*.wrl) > POV-Ray and Moray (*.inc, *.udo) > WaveFront (*.obj) > OpenGL (*.C) > Renderman/BMRT (*.rib) > Lightflow (*.py) > Direct X (*.x) > LightWave (*.lwo, *.lws) > Quake MDL (*.mdl, *.md2) > > © by TB Software 2000 >

1 0

Lightflow
by Arthur Siegel Dec. 24, 2000

Dec. 24, 2000

Jason - Just to let you know the Lightflow cite was a beauty for me. As referenced by me on edu-sig in the past: Povray was something I fell in love with early on, and more than any other single app was what inspired me to pursue a look behind the Wizard's curtain. I have always hoped to add the feature of high quality output to PyGeo. Imagining in my Quixotic way (I have recently grown a goatee which might someday be worthy of Don himself) PyGeo in the hands of students, I had always wanted to give them a good quality hard copy of a construction they may have created (once they have manipulated it interactively into a pose that might prefer). The output to Povray scripts ala Kirby was always a possibility, but more than I was willing to pursue. The programming seemed to need to be string processing intensive - something I simply do not enjoy. And I'm in this for the fun - CP4F. Lightflow opens up new, more straightforward possibilities. I'll let you know if I get anywhere interesting with it. ART

1 0

re: Seasons of Light
by Arthur Siegel Dec. 24, 2000

Dec. 24, 2000

Yow!!! Where was that hiding. Images are stunning. PovRay, or better, scripted directly from Python. Kirby should have fun with it. As will I. Thought I had a handle on what was out there for Python and 3D. A nice seasons of light surprise indeed.

1 0

Season of Lights!
by Jason Cunliffe Dec. 24, 2000

Dec. 24, 2000

Hello Solstice/Seasons greeting to you all.. Since it is the time of lights, and wishing you all godspeed along the paths towards beautiful ways to explore CP4E or CP4F [Computer programming for FUN], there is a magical Python library for sculpting with light : LightFlow http://www.lightflowtech.com/ <quote> The Lightflow Rendering Interface is an object oriented programming interface to synthetic rendering, which provides a common environment and description language to treat light distribution in three dimensional spaces. A major advantage of the system is that it has been made looking for complete extensibility since its creation, providing the user with simple and flexible extension mechanisms, which allow, among the others, procedural definition of: surface and volumetric patterns and materials, new parametric surface types, general lighting systems, camera lenses and output redirection. The interface is made up by a set of language independent classes and procedures that allow to define three dimensional scenes, so that an actual interface implementation may be easily used both as an output device by external programs and as a separate rendering tool by single individuals. Currently, two versions of the Lightflow Rendering Interface are freely available for non commercial uses: the Client Side C++ API, and a limited Python wrapping that allows easy scene construction via scripting </quote> Lightflow Rendering Tools: Client Side API - Python Module http://www.lightflowtech.com/download.html Some breathtaking sample Lightflow images at: http://www.hypercomplex.org/quats2.htm http://www.lightflowtech.com./photo_img.html http://www.lightflowtech.com./products.html http://www.lightflowtech.com./images/anisotropic6_b.jpg http://www.lightflowtech.com./images/bspline5_b.jpg http://www.lightflowtech.com./images/bspline4_b.jpg http://www.lightflowtech.com./images/cornell5_b.jpg And last but not __least__: Inspiring testimonial to the evidenct value of learning progamming young by Lightflow's brilliant author, Jacopo Pantaleoni.... http://www.lightflowtech.com/info.html <quote> I am Jacopo Pantaleoni, my age is 21, and I live in Italy, where I study Mathematics at the University of Padova. I am interested in the field of Computer Graphics since I was 13, and I have become an active developer about three years later, when my brother, expert of computer languages (see www.elasticworld.org), taught me how to program. I have always been fascinated by the world of science and mathematics, but my mind focused on the latter only two years ago, when I choosed to investigate this incredible field to join the needs of my already formed interest in synthetic rendering. My intention was to acquire a deeper knowledge of the concepts that I already used in my very first rendering and modeling applications with the constant help of my brother. Now that these concepts are clear enough, I am starting to appreciate mathematics as a "stand-alone program", which is becoming my main source of pleasure after Lightflow. My preferred research fields are: Computational Geometry, including : Multi Dimensional Search Structures Spatial Caching Schemes Algebraic Variaties Voronoi Diagrams Real Analysis, including : Function Approximation Wavelets Differential Equations Topology However, as I said previously, my main interests are growing around Lightflow, which took me five years of intense development. This software is born to satisfy my personal needs, providing all those functionalities that the other commercial and free programs did not ever grouped into one coherent solution. With the time passing, I have started to treat Lightflow as a pure development platform, a testbed for those futuristic features that once were exclusive domain of the supercomputing world, such as global illumination, volumetric rendering and hypertextures. Recently this project has become a solid reality, next to the pubblication of an article of mine on Computer Gazette, the most popular computer graphics magazine in Italy, and next to the interest of Darkside, an authorized Alias|Wavefront training center... And now, The Show Must Go On... </quote> Best wishes + enjoy! - Jason ___________________________________________________________ Jason CUNLIFFE = NOMADICS['Interactive Art and Technology']

1 0