GitHubREADME.md

Basic L-System rewriting with geometric interpretation in Autodesk Maya.

If you're not familiar with Git, just keep it simple:

1. Download this project as a ZIP file (click the green button on the right side of the GitHub page).
2. Unzip the contents anywhere (e.g., your Desktop).
3. Open startScript.py with a text editor (e.g., Notepad).
4. Copy all the code.
5. Paste it into Maya’s Script Editor.
6. Execute the code.
7. When prompted, select the script folder inside the unzipped folder.
8. The UI should appear — click on "Instructions" to get started.

This setup method was adapted from Jared Auty's scripting project, available

.

The UI is designed for usability — including a Help Line and an Instructions Button.

To understand what’s happening behind the scenes, here's a visual overview of the module structure:

What are L-Systems?

"An L-system is a parallel rewriting system and a type of formal grammar..." — Wikipedia

In simpler terms:

• Start with a character (e.g., F) — called the Axiom.
• Apply rules like F → XF to rewrite the string.
• Each iteration increases complexity. The number of iterations is the Depth.
• You can assign probabilities to rules — this gives you a Stochastic L-System.

How do they relate to plants? (Turtle)

To turn text into shapes, we use the Turtle graphics concept. Imagine:

• You control a turtle (named Leonardo).
• He moves and turns on command, leaving a trail.
• You can push and pop his state (save/restore position and direction).

This is how we interpret L-System strings geometrically.

Grammar Used in This Project

Basic overview using 3 presets:

Preset 1

• Axiom: F
• Rules: F → F[&+F]F[->FL][&FB]
• Depth: 5
• Angle: 28°

Preset 2 – Stochastic

• Axiom: F
• Rules:
  • 70% → F → F[+FL][-FB][&FL][^FB]F
  • 30% → F → [-FL]F[F[-FB-&&>F][&>F]]
• Depth: 3
• Angle: 25.7°

Preset 3 – Stochastic

• Axiom: S
• Rules:
  • 33% → S → S[>>&&FL][>>^^FL]S
  • 33% → S → S[-FL]F[S[-F-FB-&&>S][&>F][+S]]
  • 34% → S → S[+S[-FB][&>S]]
• Depth: 6
• Angle: 26.5°

Sierpinski Triangle

• Axiom: F
• Rules:
  • F → X-F-X
  • X → F+X+F
• Depth: 6
• Angle: 60°

Gosper Curve

• Axiom: F
• Rules:
  • F → F+R++R-F--FF-R+
  • R → -F+RR++R+F--F-R
• Depth: 5
• Angle: 60°

You’ll find documentation in HTML format inside the documentation/ folder.

Take your time with the UI and tooltips — some experimentation will help a lot.
L-Systems can also be used beyond geometry, even in music.