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self-dividing line
flash mx   november, 2003   j.tarbell
prints available
 
 
  launch small Flash app   launch large Flash app  
  350 x 350 pixels
2 self-dividing lines
11 recursive levels		   800 x 600 pixels
6 self-dividing lines
15 recursive levels		  
 
Intricate organic forms are generated using recursively subdividing lines. By randomly offsetting the midpoint of each subdivision, an irregular overlapping line construct is produced.

Construction of the image above was simple. Six lines, grouped in pairs, where arranged across the page. Classic coastline fractal detail then emerged through the natural subdividing process of each line.

Midpoint markers and shaded regions have been added to emphasize the history of the breaking process.
 
self-dividing line step 1
0000
0001
self-dividing line step 3
0002 		self-dividing line step 4
0003
self-dividing line step 5
0004 		self-dividing line step 6
0005
 
The key to the construction process is the definition of the subdividing line. In this example, the line is initially defined by two endpoints, a color, and a depth. The depth is used to keep the construct from becoming too complex.

With each step, the line instantiates two new lines connecting it's endpoints with some arbitrary midpoint. This process is repeated until the object becomes so complex that self-divisions are no longer distinguishable.
 
prints available