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| Claimed by Liubov Nikolenko
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| VPython is a Python graphics module used for modeling objects in 3-dimensional space. In the field of physics, this is especially useful for calculating and modeling complex relationships between objects and their properties. | | VPython is a Python graphics module used for modeling objects in 3-dimensional space. In the field of physics, this is especially useful for calculating and modeling complex relationships between objects and their properties. |
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| [[File:EMWave-Maxwell v275.gif]]
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| ==Installation== | | ==Installation== |
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| To install VPython simply follow the instructions in the links given below.
| | Installation guide goes here (Need to do test installs on Windows, OSX, Linux... BSD?) |
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| ===Windows=== | | ===Windows=== |
| Install VPython [http://vpython.org/contents/download_windows.html here]
| | Directions |
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| ===OSX=== | | ===OSX=== |
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| Install VPython [http://vpython.org/contents/download_mac.html here]
| | More directions |
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| ===Linux=== | | ===Linux=== |
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| Install VPython [http://vpython.org/contents/download_linux.html here]
| | Even more directions |
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| ==Getting started with Python== | | ==Getting started with Python== |
| Introduction to basic Python use | | Introduction to basic Python use |
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| The first two lines of your program should be:
| | ==Creating VPython Objects== |
| ::from __future__ import division
| | #Sphere |
| ::from visual import *
| | #Arrow |
| The first line enables float division, so 3 / 2 = 1.5 (not 1) and the second line enables graphics module.
| | #Updating objects |
| ===Creating VPython Objects===
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| *Sphere
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| ball = sphere(pos=(x_coordinate,y_coordinate,z_coordinate), radius=radius_of_the_sphere, color = color.color_of_the_sphere)
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| *Arrow
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| myArrow = arrow(pos=(x0_coordinate,y0_coordinate,z0_coordinate), axis=(x1_coordinate,y1_coordinate,z1_coordinate), color = color.color_of_the_arrow)
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| *Vector
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| myVector = vector(x_coordinate,y_coordinate,z_coordinate)
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| ===Manipulating VPython values===
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| *Accessing attributes of the object
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| To access the attribute of a given object just use the syntax ''object.attribute'' (e.g. to access the position of the ball object, you should do ball.pos)
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| *Updating values
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| To update a value (such as time, speed, force or the position of the object) you should do ''value = value + delta_value''
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| ===Running VPython code===
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| To run VPython code simply press F5. While running your code you will see the visual module and a shell (a place where all print out information is displayed)
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| ===Loops===
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| There are two types of loops that can be use in Python: [https://wiki.python.org/moin/ForLoop for loop] and [https://wiki.python.org/moin/WhileLoop while loop]. Basically, loops are used to tell the computer to execute the same task multiple times. While loops are more common for modeling physics concepts.
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| *While loops
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| The body of a while loop is executed, while a certain condition is true. Make sure to indent the statements that should be done in the while loop. While loop is equivalent to integration, because it manually breaks down the physical process into small parts and adds them up. While loop has the following structure:
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| :while(condition)
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| ::the body of the while loop
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| ::updating the loop
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| For example:
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| :while(t < 60)
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| ::distance = distance + velocity * deltat
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| ::t = t + deltat
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| Note: to see the process clearly it is common to slow down the frame rate by using ''rate(200)'' as a first line of a body of the while loop
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| ===Comments=== | | ==Useful built-in functions== |
| Comments in the code have no impact on the code execution, because they are just ignored by the computer. Comments in VPython start with a pound sign (#) and end when a line ends. It is a good practice to place some useful information (like an explanation to a certain step) in the comments, so other people will find it easier to understand your code. For example:
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| x = x + 1 # incrementing x variable
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| ===Debugging techniques===
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| Unfortunately, sometimes programs do not work in a way we intended them to work. Here are some tips to fixing your code.
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| #If you get an error try to understand the error message and fix your code accordingly. The most common errors are syntax errors, like parenthesis mismatch or wrong arguments passed into the function.
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| #Make sure you updating your condition for a while loop, so you don't have an infinite loop.
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| #Check if your are dividing by zero anywhere.
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| #Make sure you have correct indentation everywhere.
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| #Put plenty of ''print()'' statements, so you can know what is going on in every single stage of your code.
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| #Check your mathematical expressions for the order of precedence (e.g. x / y*z ! = x / (y * z))
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| #Try commenting out some steps to see which parts of your code do not work.
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| ===Useful built-in functions===
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| ====Printing out information====
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| *print(value)
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| Prints out the given value in the programming shell.
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| ====Math====
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| *x**y
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| Raises x to the y-th power.
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| ===Vectors=== | | ===Vectors=== |
| *cross(vectorA, vectorB)
| | #cross(vectorA, vectorB) |
| Calculates the cross product of two vectors
| | #mag(vector) |
| *mag(vector)
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| Calculates the magnitude of the vector
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| *norm(vector)
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| Calculates the unit vector of the vector
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| ==Connectedness== | | ==Connectedness== |
| | #How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in? |
| | #How is it connected to your major? |
| | #Is there an interesting industrial application? |
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| VPython will be used heavily in lab activities in modern sections of both Physics I and Physics II. One of the reasons it is used is because it is very easy to learn, especially when compared to languages like Java and MATLAB, and if provided with a shell, the process of changing values in order to manipulate the program is very straight forward.
| | ==History== |
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| Another aspect of VPython that is very applicable to this class is the ease at which loops can be created. A loop in a computer program is when a set of commands or lines of code are processed several times until some condition is satisfied. For example, a very simple loop can print out the numbers 1 to 10 by using a counter. Each time the code within the loop is processed, the value of the counter is printed out and the counter increases by one. Once the counter reaches 10, the loop can end and the commands within the loop will no longer be evaluated. This is applicable to many topics in this class, because VPython can loop to update velocity, position, momentum, and many other values in order to evaluate Electric fields, Magnetic fields, Gravitational forces, etc.
| | Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why. |
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| The basics learned from VPython can be extended beyond the scope of the class to topics from other class, or maybe even personal projects. For example, if you wanted to analyze the magnetic force between two objects, one moving and one stationary, VPython can be used to compute the magnetic field on the moving object at several different points in it's path of motion. This information can be used to determine what type of magnets to use in that specific application. This application of VPython is applicable to most majors, but especially engineering majors dealing with moving parts, electric currents, or magnetic components.
| | VPython was originally released in 2000 by David Scherer after he took an introductory physics class at Carnegie Mellon University. At the time, the school used the cT programming language for 2D modeling, and David saw the need for something better. Working with several people including professors Ruth Chabay and Bruce Sherwood, he developed a Python module called Visual. Visual Python or VPython featured 3D modeling, as well as an easier-to-understand object-oriented syntax. VPython is released under an Open Source license, and development continues today. |
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| VPython also has industrial uses, which include modeling the movement of components. However, an advantage over other modeling techniques is that VPython allows for a visual representation of the moving components, as well as dynamic arrows or other symbols that can represent a changing velocity, magnetic field, or various other properties that will change with time or position.
| | == See also == |
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| | Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore? How does this topic fit into that context? |
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| How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
| | ===Further reading=== |
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| I like coding and I would love more people to share my passion, so I tried my best to make the coding part of physics more approachable
| | Books, Articles or other print media on this topic |
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| | ===External links=== |
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| How is it connected to your major?
| | Internet resources on this topic |
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| I am CS major and Python was the first language I have learned at Tech.
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| Is there an interesting industrial application?
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| Every simulation starting from interaction of molecules can be modeled in VPython to get the general idea of the process.
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| ==History==
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| VPython was originally released in 2000 by David Scherer after he took an introductory physics class at Carnegie Mellon University. At the time, the school used the cT programming language for 2D modeling, and David saw the need for something better. Working with several people including professors Ruth Chabay and Bruce Sherwood, he developed a Python module called Visual. Visual Python or VPython featured 3D modeling, as well as an easier-to-understand object-oriented syntax. VPython is released under an Open Source license, and development continues today.
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| == See also ==
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| ===GlowScript===
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| [http://www.glowscript.org/ GlowScript] is an easy-to-use, powerful environment for creating 3D animations and publishing them on the web. You can write and run GlowScript programs right in your browser, store them in the cloud for free, and easily share them with others. GlowScript uses VPython as a programming language.
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| ===External links===
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| [http://vpython.org/contents/doc.html Documentation]
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| [https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups&hl=en#!forum/vpython-users VPython User forum]
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
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| 2. [http://vpython.wikidot.com/ VPython Wiki Site] | | 2. [http://vpython.wikidot.com/ VPython Wiki Site] |
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| 3. [http://www.glowscript.org/ GlowScript]
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| 4. [http://www.visualrelativity.com/vpython/ The image source]
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| [[Category:Which Category did you place this in?]] | | [[Category:Which Category did you place this in?]] |
VPython is a Python graphics module used for modeling objects in 3-dimensional space. In the field of physics, this is especially useful for calculating and modeling complex relationships between objects and their properties.
Installation
Installation guide goes here (Need to do test installs on Windows, OSX, Linux... BSD?)
Windows
Directions
OSX
More directions
Linux
Even more directions
Getting started with Python
Introduction to basic Python use
Creating VPython Objects
- Sphere
- Arrow
- Updating objects
Useful built-in functions
Vectors
- cross(vectorA, vectorB)
- mag(vector)
Connectedness
- How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
- How is it connected to your major?
- Is there an interesting industrial application?
History
Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
VPython was originally released in 2000 by David Scherer after he took an introductory physics class at Carnegie Mellon University. At the time, the school used the cT programming language for 2D modeling, and David saw the need for something better. Working with several people including professors Ruth Chabay and Bruce Sherwood, he developed a Python module called Visual. Visual Python or VPython featured 3D modeling, as well as an easier-to-understand object-oriented syntax. VPython is released under an Open Source license, and development continues today.
See also
Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore? How does this topic fit into that context?
Further reading
Books, Articles or other print media on this topic
External links
Internet resources on this topic
References
This section contains the the references you used while writing this page
1. The cT Programming Language
2. VPython Wiki Site