What is Python Turtle?
Python Turtle is a library used to create simple graphics in Python. It is a great way to introduce programming to kids and adults alike, as it is easy to use and understand. Python Turtle also allows you to learn the basics of programming without having any prior knowledge or experience with coding.
Getting Started with Python Turtle
To get started with Python Turtle, you need to download and install Python. Then you can install the Turtle library by following these steps:
Open a new Python file in your favorite text editor (I use Sublime Text)
Type import turtle at the top of your file.
Create a Turtle object by typing t = Turtle() in your code window, then pressing Enter or Return on your keyboard. This will create an instance of our turtle named βtβ that we can use to draw shapes and patterns!
Using Turtle Commands
Turtle Motion Commands:
- forward(distance): moves the turtle forward by a specified distance
- backward(distance) : moves the turtle backward by a specified distance
- right(angle) : turns the turtle clockwise by a specified angle
- left(angle) : turns the turtle counterclockwise by a specified angle
- goto(x, y) : moves the turtle to the specified coordinates (x, y)
- setx(x) : moves the turtle to the specified x-coordinate
- sety(y) : moves the turtle to the specified y-coordinate
- setheading(angle) : sets the turtle's heading to the specified angle
- home() : moves the turtle to the origin (0, 0) and sets the turtle's heading to due east (0 degrees)
Pen Control Commands:
- pendown() : puts the pen down, allowing the turtle to draw
- pinupup() : lifts the pen up, preventing the turtle from drawing
- pensize(width) : sets the width of the pen to the specified value
- pencolor(color) : sets the color of the pen to the specified color
- fillcolor(color) : sets the color used for filling in shapes
- begin_fill() : starts filling in a shape
- end_fill() : stops filling in a shape
Window Control Commands:
- screensize(width, height) : sets the size of the turtle's screen to the specified values
- title(title) : sets the title of the turtle's window
- bgcolor(color) : sets the background color of the turtle's window
- window_width() : returns the width of the turtle's window
- window_height() : returns the height of the turtle's window
Other Commands:
- clear() : clears the turtle's screen and resets the turtle to its original state
- reset() : clears the turtle's screen and resets the turtle to its original state, but does not clear the drawing window
- hideturtle() : hides the turtle from view
- showturtle() : makes the turtle visible again
- speed(speed) : sets the speed of the turtle (0 = fastest, 10 = slowest)
- undo() : undoes the last action performed by the turtle
- isdown() : returns True if the pen is down, False otherwise.
Examples:
import turtle
import random
def draw_star(size, color, x, y):
turtle.penup()
turtle.goto(x, y)
turtle.pendown()
turtle.color(color)
turtle.begin_fill()
for _ in range(5):
turtle.forward(size)
turtle.right(144)
turtle.end_fill()
def animate_stars():
turtle.clear()
for _ in range(25):
size = random.randint(10, 30)
x = random.randint(-300, 300)
y = random.randint(-300, 300)
color = random.choice(["red", "blue", "green", "yellow", "white", "cyan", "magenta"])
draw_star(size, color, x, y)
turtle.ontimer(animate_stars, 1000)
turtle. Speed(0)
turtle.bgcolor("black")
turtle.hideturtle()
turtle.ontimer(animate_stars, 1000)
turtle.mainloop()
[Youtube]{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dw-MYvF0}
Conclusion
Python Turtle is a great way to introduce programming to kids and adults alike. Itβs easy to use, understand and a great way to learn the basics of programming.
Top comments (1)
Yayyy I love
turtle
!! I've actually been working on a library built on top ofturtle
for drawing complex visualizations that you might be interested in! It uses a lot of what you demonstrate here under the hood for drawing neat animations πchris-greening / spyrograph
Python library for analyzing, exploring, and visualizing epitrochoids and hypotrochoids in just a few lines of code
spyrograph: elegant mathematics and geometries
What is it?
spyrograph is a lightweight Python package that provides an expressive and flexible set of tools for drawing beautiful mathematically driven art. With just a few lines of easy-to-read code you can start analyzing, visualizing, and exploring elegant mathematics
Official website
Official docs
Table of Contents
numpy
is the only required third-party installationpip
Install the latest stable release from PyPI using
or clone the development version from GitHub with
spyrograph
is designed to be expressive and easy-to-use - simplyimport spyrograph
and jump right into drawing elegant, complex shapesβ¦