Virtual Bead Loom
How to Use the Tools 2
The iterative triangle tool: When we created the geometric triangle tool, we used a standard "scanning algorithm" to fill in the triangle. But it made jagged edges, while traditional beadwork has beautifully regular edges. We interviewed some native beadworkers, and found that their algorithms were iterative. The triangle iteration tool reflects this tradition of indigenous mathematics. For example, the triangle in the beadwork at the top of this page was made by adding one bead on each side of the row, every three rows, as you go in the -Y direction.
"Direction" -- determines in which direction your rows will accumulate
Starting at X,Y -- that is the center of the starting row.
"After every ___ rows" -- lets you determine how many rows you go through before adding more beads to the end.
"Add ___ to both ends" -- the number of beads that will be added on each side of the center each time.
"For ___ rows in total" -- how many rows you will bead in this triangle.
Note that this tool has two colors -- some traditional bead work shifts color in each iteration. This allows you to select the starting color and ending color; the software does the shifting for you.
Starting at X,Y -- that is the center of the starting row.
"After every ___ rows" -- lets you determine how many rows you go through before adding more beads to the end.
"Add ___ to both ends" -- the number of beads that will be added on each side of the center each time.
"For ___ rows in total" -- how many rows you will bead in this triangle.
Note that this tool has two colors -- some traditional bead work shifts color in each iteration. This allows you to select the starting color and ending color; the software does the shifting for you.