Processing, second edition: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists

by Casey Reas, Ben Fry

The new edition of an introduction to computer programming within the context of the visual arts, using the open-source programming language Processing; thoroughly updated throughout. The visual arts are rapidly changing as media moves into the web, mobile devices, and architecture. When designers and artists learn the basics of writing software, they develop a new form of literacy that enables them to create new media for the present, and to imagine future media that are beyond the capacities of current software tools. This book introduces this new literacy by teaching computer programming within the context of the visual arts. It offers a comprehensive reference and text for Processing (www.processing.org), an open-source programming language that can be used by students, artists, designers, architects, researchers, and anyone who wants to program images, animation, and interactivity. Written by Processing's cofounders, the book offers a definitive reference for students and professionals. Tutorial chapters make up the bulk of the book; advanced professional projects from such domains as animation, performance, and installation are discussed in interviews with their creators. This second edition has been thoroughly updated. It is the first book to offer in-depth coverage of Processing 2.0 and 3.0, and all examples have been updated for the new syntax. Every chapter has been revised, and new chapters introduce new ways to work with data and geometry. New “synthesis” chapters offer discussion and worked examples of such topics as sketching with code, modularity, and algorithms. New interviews have been added that cover a wider range of projects. “Extension” chapters are now offered online so they can be updated to keep pace with technological developments in such fields as computer vision and electronics. Interviews
SUE.C, Larry Cuba, Mark Hansen, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Jürg Lehni, LettError, Golan Levin and Zachary Lieberman, Benjamin Maus, Manfred Mohr, Ash Nehru, Josh On, Bob Sabiston, Jennifer Steinkamp, Jared Tarbell, Steph Thirion, Robert Winter

Genres: Programming, Design, Reference, Computer Science, Art, Nonfiction, Coding

662 pages, Hardcover

First published August 17, 2007

About the author

Casey Reas is Professor of Design Media Arts at UCLA and coauthor of Processing: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists (MIT Press, 2007).

Reviews

[Marcus Litchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is both about the "Processing" programming language, and a gentle introduction to programming, but targeted at visual minds. Programming constructs are introduced in the context of graphics programming using the simple, C-like Processing language. I think this book would be great as an introduction to programming for someone who is more artistically inclined, and interested in learning programming in a more visual environment than is typically found in introductory material.

[Enkh-Amar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focused on Image synthesis and simulation with processing lang. Processing is static typed java like programming language that specially designed for artists. Processing lang is all about visualization but i think there is a lack of contexts about theoretical support of image processing and rendering method. Overall i quite enjoyed with processing.

[Champro ThunderChops · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brett I'm not sure why you actually invited me to some kind of social networking site, I don't really know how they work and I've already been scolded once for coming very close to posting something that apparently "everyone can see" so I'll try behave, even though i miss the good ole days when the internet was anonymous and without sidebars. Alas, I joined this world for you Brett, but its as far as I'm going, so the onus is on you to make my sole foray into internet dating or whatever this is, as rewarding and lifelike an experience as possible.

Oh and I read this book. It's clearly amazing, you can tell by the ridiculously awesome data/match/artist cover art, which coincidentally enough sums the book up quite well. And now because of it I know a programming language, I learned trig again, I no longer fear starting senteces with And, and I made a neato ishihara test generator.

Cheers

[Farhan Khalid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Processing relates software concepts to principles of visual form, motion, and interaction

Software holds a unique position among artistic media because of its ability to produce dynamic forms, process gestures, define behavior, simulate natural system, and integrate other media including sound, image, and text

A programming language gives you the power to express some ideas

Sketching is necessary for the development of ideas

Making processes that stimulate and decide requires programming

Pieces of software written using Processing are called sketches

Creating software is an act of writing

Writing in a human language allows the author to utilize the ambiguity of words and to have great flexibility in constructing phases

These techniques allow multiple interpretations of a single text and give each author a unique voice

Each computer program also reveals the style of its author, but there is far less room for ambiguity

A software expression is like a phrase

Poem generated by software written by Margaret Masterman

"I sense the sun in the street

All space in the street

Bang! The sun has slid"

Sketching ranges from informal exploration to focused refinement

It is used to create many variations within a short period of time, or to develop a specific idea

Sketching forces the definition of vague ideas by making them physical

Sketches are powerful communication tools

They can get ideas out of one's head and into a format that can be better understand by others

It is important to work out ideas on paper before investing time in writing code

Software is the best way I've found to express myself

Abstraction: Hiding details in order to focus the result

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to graphic programming, clearly aimed at first-time programmers with plenty of basic 'ok, this is a variable, this is a loop, etc'. The book's stated aim is to introduce artists to the idea of programming as art- I'm a bit skeptical on whether or not they've made it accessible to the average non-programmer. But, then, I stopped being able to judge whether material is techically accessible to laypeople years ago, so your mileage may vary.

Useful for the experienced programmer with little graphics experience (me!), provided you skim/skip the basic programming constructs sections. Also easily adaptable to other language implementations of Processing if you hate Java: I used the examples with little trouble in ruby-processing.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, just amazing. This is the book you want if you are approaching computer programming with an interest in graphics and interactivity. Syntax is very understandable with clear examples that walk you through everything from simple forms to typography to 3D. The interviews with industry well-knowns are surprisingly informative, too.

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vous voulez apprendre à vous en sortir dans la matrice? Ce livre est fait pour vous! Écrit pour des gens n ayant pas ou peu d'expérience du code il permet d'apprendre un langage informatique ( le processing ou p55 pour les intimes) base sur la représentation visuel.

[Tran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with Java syntax throughout the semester. During the summer school, I gave up on using Wekinator and choose p5.js in combination with ml5js to fasten the development time with JavaScripts. Anyway, this is a good book to start with Processing.

[mcburton · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book on Processing .
If you want to dive into Processing and learn a bit about computation art and interactive expression, THIS is a must have.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for any artists looking to get into programming. Great starting point.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

really simple clever and inspiring so far, much more than your usual computer poo. How to understand programiing for an artist and make pieces using these skills.

[Moskovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for people that want to learn programming of visual-minded things.

[bird]

i haven't gotten too deep into it, but so far soo good. amazing!

[Ampaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, comprehensive, and beautiful guide to the processing language. It moves well through early programming up to advanced topics.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a bible for the generative art.. artists. Inspiring for programmers with a lot of time on their hands.

[Radoslav Minchev · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you find inspiration in artists like John Maeda, Jared Tarbell and Jürg Lehni, this is your book for getting started with the art of programming!

[Rina Yulius · Rating 4 out of 5]

helpfull bgt

[Kathy Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic primer on interactive info graphics - providing a clear 'how-to' for the Processing language.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you want to learn Processing, a computer language geared towards artists. Not a casual read, this is a textbook.

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parsons has advanced copies for BootCamp... Hefty book, surprisingly readable so far.

[Sonny Ny]

Recommended by John Resig - http://ejohn.org/blog/beautiful-progr...

[Aljoscha Sokolov · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best processing books around