Turtle Visibility
A turtle’s visibility can be controlled by use of methods hideturtle() and showturtle() (in which an invisible turtle can still draw on the screen).
Turtle Size
The size of a turtle shape can be controlled with methods resizemode() and turtlesize()
- The first instruction sets the resize attribute of a turtle to ‘user’.
- This allows the user (programmer) to change the size of the turtle by use of method
turtlesize(). - Otherwise, calls to
turtlesize()will have no effect. - The call to method
turtlesize()in the figure is passed two parameters. The first is used to change the width of the shape (perpendicular to its orientation), and the second changes its length (parallel to its orientation). - A third parameter can also be added that determines the thickness of the shape’s outline.
There are two other values that method resizemode() may be set to. An argument value of 'auto' causes the size of the turtle to change with changes in the pen size, whereas a value of 'noresize' causes the turtle shape to remain the same size.
Turtle Shape
- A turtle’s shape by default is arrowhead) and fill color is black.
- A turtle may be assigned one of the following provided shapes: 'arrow', 'turtle', 'circle', 'square', 'triangle', and 'classic' (the default arrowhead shape)
The shape and fill colors are set by use of the shape() and fillcolor() methods, respectively.
the_turtle.shape('circle')
the_turtle.fillcolor('white')New shapes may be created and registered with (added to) the turtle screen’s shape dictionary.
Another way that a turtle shape can be created is by use of an image. The image file used must be a “gif file” (with file extension .gif). The name of the file is then registered, and the shape of the turtle set to the registered name.
register_shape('image1.gif')
the_turtle.shape('image1.gif')
Turtle Speed
A turtle’s speed can be set to a range of speed values from 0 to 10, with a “normal” speed being around 6. To set the speed of the turtle, the speed() method is used.
the_turtle.speed(6)
The following speed values can be set using a descriptive rather than a numeric value:
- 10: 'fast'
- 6: 'normal'
- 3: 'slow'
- 1: 'slowest'
- 0: 'fastest'
Creating Multiple Turtles
- In turtle graphics, it's possible to create and control multiple turtle objects.
- To create a new turtle, use the
Turtle()method. - Example:
turtle1 = turtle.Turtle()
turtle2 = turtle.Turtle()
# etc.
- Turtles can be stored in a list for easy management:
turtles = []
turtles.append(turtle.Turtle())
turtles.append(turtle.Turtle())
# etc.
- This allows for the creation and management of any number of turtle objects.
- Multiple turtles provide versatility in creating complex graphics and designs.