When it comes to programming in Python, people often think it’s pure magic. It’s as if an invisible spell is cast, zapping the code with something special, and in no time your screen is beaming with a fantastic creation – like a bright and shiny ‘X’! This tutorial takes the mysticism out of it and shows you how it’s done. You’ll be wrangling ‘X’s out of the ether like a pro in no time.
First, let’s break down just what we need to do in order to do this. We need to take into consideration 2 key elements – the type of software that’ll help us create the X and the steps we have to take to make it. For the program, we’re going to use a digital drawing program such as Microsoft Paint. For the steps we’ll need to understand the different functions that digital drawing programs have, such as – the free-hand drawing tool, the circle drawing tool, the line drawing tool and the square/rectangle drawing tool. Your software may differ slightly, but the principles here are all still applicable.
Now you’ve got everything set up, it’s time to go into action! Let’s get started by using the free-hand drawing tool to draw a circle – remember the cursor will be the brush-tip of the tool. Control it with the mouse and the circle should take shape. The next step is to turn this circle into an X – think of it as the canvas for your creation. To do this we need to draw two lines with the line drawing tool. Start in one corner, pull the line as you drag with the mouse until it crosses the centre of the circle, and let go. Do the same with the other corner and, voilà, you’ve got an X!
Still, if free-hand doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, don’t sweat – there’s another way to draw a perfect X. This time use the circle drawing tool to draw a circle, holding down the “shift” key as you do. Small tip – the smaller the circle, the better the results. Then, take the square/rectangle drawing tool and draw a square, also holding down the “shift” key. You should now have 4 quarters of circles, or squares, depending on what tool you chose. Now, it’s time to start connecting the line you’ve drawn. Start by connecting the lines on the diagonals – it sounds more complicated than it is. Once you joins the dots, your X will be right there before you!
If you’re looking for something a little more creative, there are still a few options to explore. Grab the free-hand drawing tool and start by drawing the outline of an X. Do the same again, but this time draw the outlines in the opposite direction. That way, they cross in the middle, making a stylised X. To make it look more sophisticated, add a few extra lines and dashes as you go along.
If none of this works for you, perhaps you want to try another method. This one requires just one tool – the line drawing tool. Start by drawing a horizontal line – think of it as the top of the X. Then, draw a vertical line – that’s going to be the side of the X. Finally, join the two lines where they cross – that’s your finished X! It’s a simple yet effective design – the perfect way to make your creation stand out.
If drawing an X both mystifies and delights you, you’ll soon be able to let off creative little sparks with a few simple steps. Using different types of drawing tools, in combination with a few helpful tips, you can create an array of beautiful X designs. When you’ve mastered this little spell, the X will become part of your design repertoire – a hallmark of your unique coding style.
Now you’ve got the basics it’s time to try out some more complex designs. If you’re feeling creative, why not add some colour? Using the colour palette at the bottom of the screen, choose one colour for the X and one for the background. As you add colour with the colour picker tool, watch as your X takes on a vivid, mesmerising life of its own. You could even play around with shapes and gradients to add texture and depth to your X.
Now for the grand finale – animation. This is sure to take your X to the next level. To do this, we’re going to use the animation software of your choice. To bring your X to life, create small changes to the design, such as making the lines thicker or thinner, stretching or cinching the shape, and altering the colour. Make sure you test the animation, making adjustments as necessary, until your X is all set to mesmerise its audience.
That’s it, you’ve cast the spell and now your X is flying on the screen – magical and electric! With a few tutorials under your belt and a dash of your own creative flair, you’ll learn to control this craft. Now that you know how to draw an X in Python, the possibilities are boundless.
