Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
P
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
P
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Hello!
Your spirograph page http://wordsmith.org/anu/java/spirograph.html is very
interesting.

I am trying to understand "moving circle radius" and "moving circle
offset." I accidentally set the moving circle radius to a negative number
and got an interesting picture, but I don't know what a negative radius
represents. I am guessing that "offset" is a way to place the pen away from
the edge of the rolling circle, but I don't know what it is measuring.

Thank you,
Paul Boisen

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
cool! (how did i miss this! (thanks Paul!)

i don't know the math-- but i used to make spirograph designs (using a compass) when i was a kid.. and then make color wheels.
(spin them fast enough and the paper looks white)

i also had a spirograph toy a large toothed, circle, with smaller 'gears' that you placed a pen in, and ran round the inner diameter of the large circle..

i am going to have fun making designs (and maybe learning some of the math!) with this aplet.

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526
veteran
Offline
veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526
I'm guessing the the sign of the radius for the moving circle indicates whether you put it inside or outside the fixed circle.
The moving circle offset, I think, refers to where the pen is placed relative to the moving circle's own center.

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
fun! I just wasted a lot of time there...


formerly known as etaoin...

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,351
Members9,182
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 804 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
wofahulicodoc 10,549
tsuwm 10,542
LukeJavan8 9,918
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5