Computational Making via Bidirectional Parametric Modeling
Chris Johnson and Ian McCormack

Proceedings of Bridges 2021: Mathematics, Art, Music, Architecture, Culture
Pages 359–362
Short Papers

Abstract

To develop both aesthetic and algorithmic sense in young learners, we have built Twoville: a bidirectional vector graphics editor meant to be used in makerspaces and schools. Programmer-designers define shapes parametrically in Twoville using code and then adjust the parameters via direct manipulation of the output. Changes in either the code editor or the drawing canvas are immediately reflected in the other editor. When code is updated by a direct manipulation of the output, the syntactic structure of the programmer-designer’s original expression is maintained to the extent possible. The resulting design is exported as an SVG file, loaded into a fabrication tool, and physically realized.

Files