Xylem and Hyphae

Xylem + Hyphae algorithms

Year

2010

Tags

algorithm, hyphae, openframeworks, processing, xylem

links

technical details
Modeling and visualization of leaf venation patterns

Share

Simulating growth
Our simulation begins with isolated root veins in an environment of digital hormone sources. Veins gradually emerge from the roots and colonize space as hormone flows towards nearby veins. They branch as these flows meet from different directions and subsequently merge as the growth surrounds individual hormone sources. The growth continues until every source has been overtaken. The result is a space-filling network that is both hierarchical and rhizomatic.

Technical Details
Our system was inspired by the paper "Modeling and visualization of leaf venation patterns" by Adam Runions & co. We have developed two primary simulation systems: Xylem (2D) and Hyphae (3D) which extend their original algorithm. We have written extensively about the technical challenges behind creating these works in our blog: xylem experiments and improvements

Hyphae - custom software built with c++ using CGAL.
Xylem - custom software built with Processing.

  1. video: hyphae algorithm diagram

    We start with a set of randomly, but evenly distributed “auxin sources”, this kind of distribution is called “blue noise.” We ad…

  2. video: xylem system variations

    video: some of our algorithm variations probabilistic reticulate (top left), probabilistic normal (top right), isogonic reticulat…

  3. Hyphae algorithm diagram

    We start with a set of randomly, but evenly distributed “auxin sources”, this kind of distribution is called “blue noise.” We ad…

  9. folium

    Folium is a generative jewelry series inspired by the algorithmic structures of plants and algae. Each Folium design is one of a k…

  10. video: growing type with xylem

  11. xylem typography experiments

  12. xylem typography experiments

  15. hyphae: combination of surface and 3D growth

  16. hyphae: 3D growth

  17. hyphae: 3D growth

  22. hyphae: surface growth

  23. hyphae: surface growth

  26. video: Xylem ipad app

    one of the ipad apps we created for our Reaction exhibit which allows visitors to engage in the algorithms we crafted to design so…