artificial life
Chapter 4: Lindenmayer Systems
4.4 3D L-Systems (Direct3D)
A 3D L-Systems application is also implemented for this project. The application makes use of Microsoft’s Direct3D API. The conventional L-System cursor is changed to be used in the 3D-space. Instead of drawing a line when it encounters an’F’ the 3D cursor will draw a cylinder of length one. Since there are 3 different axes of rotation the grammar is expanded to use the characters {X,x,Y,y,Z,z} to indicate the axis and direction of a rotation.
Screenshot from 3D L-Systems Application
The user is able to rotate the L-System around using a mouse, zooming is possible using a mouse wheel. Definition of the L-System is possible using a dialog box accessible from the menu.
Figure 4.6: 3D L-System Definition Dialog
Initial String: The initial string that the L-System uses.
# of Iterations: The number of times the L-System will regenerate itself.
Angle: The angle by which {x,X,y,Y,z,Z} will rotate the cursor in their respective axes.
Rules: The grammar that the L-System will use to create the final object.
Windows Executable of 3D L-Systems:
Source Code for 3D L-Systems Application: