Processing: Creative Coding and Computational Art

In the “Imaging” section, you delved a little deeper, looking at Processing’s color component
functions, which I used to show how to generate a series of pixel-based gradients. I
discussed speed issues when processing hundreds of thousands of pixels, and I looked at a
lower-level approach to increasing performance, using bitwise operations. I also discussed
the problem or challenge of managing potential rounding errors when moving between
floats and ints, and how subtle changes such as these can have dramatic effects.
Using Processing’s loadPixels(), updatePixels(), and pixels[] functions, I discussed
approaches for writing and transforming pixel data. I compared the somewhat confusing
differences between using the display window functions, based on the pixesl[] array, and
using Processing’s PImage data type, with its own properties and methods, including
another pixels[] array property.
Processing’s blend and filter capabilities are extensive, and you looked in detail at each, at
times going below the hood and even re-creating your own imaging effects, using both
Processing functions and bitwise operations. Finally, I extended the discussion on OOP
with an inheritance example, generating a simple framework for creating gradients.
In the next chapter, you’ll be revisiting many of the topics covered in the book thus far, as
I introduce motion into the sketches. In addition, you’ll explore interesting and fun
approaches to simulating organic motion and physics. And you’ll also continue your exploration
of OOP.
COLOR AND IMAGING
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