Creature Interpolation

Creature Interpolation is a way to create new and interesting images from a database of creature outlines that I created in the 1970s. The original outlines were hand-drawn on graph paper, and each one was "half-drawn" on the vector x=y. I used FORTRAN code to read in the coordinates of the half-figure and reflect those points programmatically into complete, closed outlines. This ensures that the interpolated images are always smooth and closed.

To create a new image, I randomly place one of the four creature outlines in each corner of a grid. I then rotate each outline by a random number of degrees. Next, I use linear interpolation to create all the in-betweens for each row of the grid. This creates a smooth transition between the four outlines. I then use linear interpolation to form the vertical columns of the grid, interpolating between the rows. This process is more commonly known as bi-linear interpolation.

In 75% of the cases, I do not add color to the image. This keeps the image true to the original plotter drawings from the 1970s, which were black pen on a white background. However, in 25% of the cases, I fill the interpolated shapes with bi-linear interpolated color. I do this by randomly assigning four colors to the picture space. Then, I assign each creature outline a color based on its relative position in the space.

I hope you enjoy this blast from the past!

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