in the case of this p5js sketch, what difference does ty and tx make in " startX = map(noise(tx), 0, 1, 0, width); startY = map(noise(ty), 0, 1, 0, height);" code: /* Inspired by Colette and Charles J. Bangert's Complex Intersecting Line (1976) and Roman Verostko's Sketch (1987) */ //init variables let startX; let startY; let endX; let endY; let num = 0; let total = 1000; let tx = 0; let ty = 1000; //setup function init function setup() { //resizable canvas with window size createCanvas(windowWidth, windowHeight); //background black background(0); //outline white stroke(255); //outline width 2 strokeWeight(2); //call find start and end point functions getStartPoint(); getEndPoint(); } //draw loop start function draw() { //while loop when num(0) is less than total(1000) while (num < total) { //draw line with variable values for start and end line(startX, startY, endX, endY); //set new start to previous end startX = endX; startY = endY; //find new end point with function getEndPoint(); //add 1 to num (until reaches 1000) num++; } } //find start point function function getStartPoint() { //scale noise value to the canvas size (height and width). X will start closer to 0 and Y will start closer to the edge of the canvas size startX = map(noise(tx), 0, 1, 0, width); startY = map(noise(ty), 0, 1, 0, height); } //find end point function function getEndPoint() { //scale noise value to the canvas size (height and width). X will end closer to 0 and Y will end closer to the edge of the canvas size endX = map(noise(tx), 0, 1, 0, width); endY = map(noise(ty), 0, 1, 0, height); tx += 0.01; ty += 0.01; }

AI Tutor

In this p5.js sketch, tx and ty play a crucial role in determining the starting points (startX, startY) and ending points (endX, endY) of the lines drawn on the canvas, using Perlin noise for generating smooth, naturalistic transitions in values. The noise() function in p5.js generates Perlin noise values, which are more organic and less random-looking than the values generated by the random() function. The values produced by noise() range between 0 and 1.

The use of tx and ty as arguments in the noise() function is a way to get smooth, continuous changes in the noise values over time. This is because Perlin noise is generated in a multidimensional space, and by slowly incrementing tx and ty, you effectively move through this space, creating a smooth transition of values rather than abrupt changes.

The lines:

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startX = map(noise(tx), 0, 1, 0, width); startY = map(noise(ty), 0, 1, 0, height);

and

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endX = map(noise(tx), 0, 1, 0, width); endY = map(noise(ty), 0, 1, 0, height);

map the noise values (which are between 0 and 1) to the dimensions of the canvas. For startX and endX, the noise value based on tx is mapped to a range between 0 and width of the canvas, effectively determining the horizontal position of the line's start and end points. Similarly, for startY and endY, the noise value based on ty is mapped to a range between 0 and height of the canvas, determining the vertical position of the line's start and end points.

The initial values of tx = 0 and ty = 1000 ensure that the starting points for generating noise values are different for the x and y coordinates, likely leading to a variety of starting and ending points for the lines. By incrementing tx and ty slightly with each call to getEndPoint(), you ensure that each line drawn will have a slightly different starting and ending point, leading to a complex, intertwined pattern.

Can you think about how changing the increments of tx and ty might affect the drawing? Or what might happen if tx and ty started at the same value?

You

the movement might be too linear if they started at the same value. but what i dont understand is why ty starts at 1000 before being scaled

AI Tutor

You've made an insightful observation about the potential for movement to appear too linear if tx and ty started at the same value. The distinct starting values for tx and ty indeed contribute to creating a more varied and interesting pattern in the drawing. Now, let's address your question about why ty starts at 1000.

In the context of Perlin noise, the starting values (also known as "seeds") for tx and ty are arbitrary points in the noise space. Perlin noise is generated over an infinite, continuous n-dimensional space. When you choose different starting points for tx and ty, you are essentially sampling different parts of this noise space for your x and y coordinates, which ensures that the noise values (and thus the coordinates based on these values) for x and y are not in sync. This desynchronization helps in creating more organic and less predictable patterns.

Starting ty at 1000 is a deliberate choice to ensure that the noise function generates a significantly different set of values for startY and endY than it does for startX and endX. The large initial difference between tx and ty ensures that the vertical and horizontal movements are based on different parts of the noise space, contributing to the complexity and visual appeal of the pattern. The exact value of 1000 isn't inherently special; it's the relative difference between tx and ty that matters, creating distinct horizontal and vertical movements.

This approach of using distinct seeds for different dimensions is common in generative art and simulations to produce more complex and less predictable outcomes. It leverages the smooth, coherent randomness of Perlin noise to create visually interesting and varied patterns that wouldn't be possible if both dimensions followed the exact same path through the noise space.

Does this explanation help clarify the role of ty starting at 1000 and its impact on the sketch?