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Version: Alpha 1

Using Brushes

PenCode's brush system, powered by the p5.brush library, allows you to create drawings with a more organic and textured feel. This tutorial covers how to use the built-in brushes to add style to your creations.

The Brush Object​

To use a brush, you need to create a Brush object. This object acts as a global setting, telling PenCode which brush to use for all subsequent drawing commands until a new Brush object is defined.

Selecting a Brush​

You select a brush by passing its name to the type parameter. For example, to use the standard pen brush, you would write:

Brush(type: 'pen')

This statement doesn't draw anything itself; it sets the active brush for other objects, like Line and Cube.

Brush Properties​

Beyond the type, you can customize the color and size of the brush.

// Set the brush to a blue pen with a size of 5
Brush(type: 'pen', color: 'blue', size: 5)
  • color: Defines the color of the brush strokes.
  • size: Controls the thickness of the brush strokes.

Example: Drawing with a Brush​

Let's see how the Brush object affects other shapes. The Brush statement should come before the shapes you want it to apply to.

// Set the active brush
Brush(type: 'pen', color: 'green', size: 10),

// This line will be drawn with the green pen
Line(x: -100, y: 0, x2: 100, y2: 0),

// This cube will also be drawn with the green pen
Rectangle(x: -25, y: -25, width: 50, height: 50)

Changing Brushes​

If you want to use a different brush for another part of your drawing, simply add another Brush statement.

// Draw a thick green line
Brush(type: 'pen', color: 'green', size: 10),
Line(x: -100, y: -50, x2: 100, y2: -50),

// Switch to a thin red spray paint for the next shape
Brush(type: 'spray', color: 'red', size: 2),
Rectangle(x: -25, y: 25, width: 50, height: 50)

Available Brushes​

PenCode comes with a variety of built-in brushes, courtesy of the p5.brush library. These brushes provide a range of textures and styles to bring your artwork to life.

Default Brushes:

  • 2B
  • HB
  • 2H
  • cpencil
  • pen
  • rotring
  • spray
  • marker
  • marker2
  • charcoal
  • hatch_brush