Tutorials

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Processing Tutorials

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For Loops

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Random Circles

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For Loops

Random Circles

void setup() {
  size(500, 500);
  background(64);
  noStroke();
}

void draw() {

  float size = random (25, 100);

  float x = random(width);
  float y = random(height);

  for (float ring = size; ring >= 0; ring -= random(2, 10)) {
    fill(random(256), random(256), random(256));
    ellipse(x, y, ring, ring);
  }
}

This code uses a for loop to create circles out of randomly colored rings. Every frame, a random size and location is generated, and then the for loop goes from size to 0, decreasing by a random value between 2 and 10. In other words, the loop starts at the outer-most ring, then decreases in size randomly until it’s too small to see. This causes the circles to be drawn with randomly colored, randomly sized rings.

Many for loops simply start at 0 and increase by 1 each loop iteration, but this example shows that you aren’t limited to those values. You can start your loop at any value, stop at any value, and increase or decrease by any value. Just make sure your loop will eventually end!

Tweak Ideas

• Change the width and height of the sketch to match your screen resolution, then use the saveFrame() function to save a screenshot of your sketch. Use that image as your new background!
• Play around with the values passed into the fill() function to come up with cool-looking color combinations.
• You can use this type of for loop to create a radial gradient. Instead of randomly coloring the rings, make them fade to opaque.

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For Loops