After writing Python scripts to make 3D models in Rhino for my midterm, I wanted to take it to the next level. I wanted to visualize more of what we learnt in Nature of Code by this new found method. I knew that even simple concepts could produce visually stunning effects and I wanted to explore more.
I wanted to explore another direction as well: Using genetic algorithms to evolve into a more beautiful form in every iteration. This presented a lot of challenges and questions. What is beautiful? What is aesthetically pleasing? What would be the parameter in the program that would define "beautiful". This lead to some introspection and I came to a conclusion that one of the ways of quantifying visual beauty numerically is The Golden Ratio. The idea was to evolve 3D forms closer to the golden ratio in every iteration. Executing this within a tight timeline was difficult so I would be exploring this concept over the summer.
After suggestions from the user-testing week, I went ahead executing the first idea. It was a great learning experience for me, especially because this is the project with which I am learning Python. The 3D models were made with Python scripts and later rendered with an external renderer applying materials. I eventually want to add more concepts like flocking and pathfinding into this visualization. The renderings here could be thought of as a 4-dimensional (x,y,z,t) visualization of the path traversed by particles/movers between time = 0 and time = t. A few scripts that are used are in my GitHub.
Hover over the images after clicking on them to learn more.
Here are some screenshots of Rhino 3D models before rendering.