Artist 2D

This is a project for fun that's loosely based on what's probably a totally incorrect interpretation of a genetic algorithm. Eventually.

This code:

• Programmatically generates abstract art based on input "DNA" files.
• [TODO] Other things like dislays the output for voting, allows voting, mixes the DNA files of vote winners for a new generation, generates the next generation's images, and other such fun behaviors.

Goals

Some concepts I wanted to include to see how they played out, or because they seemed logical and fun to me:

• Layers of abstraction
  • Just like we don't have chromosome that says "green eyes", these artists don't have chromosomes that say "circle".
  • I chose to use ATCG as my initial input even though I could have used any sort of abstraction.
• Semantic meaning
  • Every cell in our body has the same DNA. So why is a skin cell so different than a brain cell? Semantic meaning! I think.
  • The expressions of a gene should be relative to the existing context. I define "read" operations as "semantic inputs", i.e., I read the current state of the world (turtle) to determine the arguments to the actions (move, set color, etc).
• Free
  • I'm cheap. Architectural decisions are based both on need and cost. Strong emphasis on cost.
• Fun
  • I've been kicking this idea around my head since grad school. (2007. Yeah, just one year. Because I left after that.)
  • I do leadership roles now for work. I dearly miss python. It's just such an awesome language for mucking around like this.

Getting Started

This is a WIP.

1. You will need python (see Pipfile for version) and pip.
2. You will need to set to create a gcp iam role for your local dev (name it "YOURNAME-local-dev") and download the json secret stuff.
3. Create a .env file that specifies GCP envvars for /api.
   • You can start by copying the example and updating the values. cp .env.example .env
4. make setup will handle pipenv fun for you.
5. Do something to improve this getting started guide!

Optional setup

1. Run on a virtual display rather than your real display. (Linux)

• sudo apt install xvfb
• Xvfb :99 -screen 0 1024x768x24 > /dev/null 2>&1 &
• In your local .env file, add a line DISPLAY=":99.0".
• Run make test to see that you no longer see the display.

Run

cd into either /client or /api depending which you want to run. To run both for a functional local system, use two tabs and run both the Client and API.

make run

Test

cd into either /client or /api depending which you want to test.

make test

Deploy

CD deploys for you. Yay!

1. Ensure CI is passing on main.
2. Bump the version in (variables.tf)[infra/app/variables.tf] for the Client or the API depending which you want to deploy.
3. Create a new PR with the version bump.
4. Merge the PR
5. Watch the Infra CD pipeine do its magic! It'll build a new image and update the Cloud Run function.

Learn More

Tech Spec