Introduction:

• Welcome to BlockPyArt, where programming meets creativity by drawing shapes and patterns. This tutorial focuses on controlling the visibility and appearance of the turtle (block). Remember: Always use the “start” block to activate the BlockPyArt console. If you do not start with the start block, you will encounter an error and the commands will not work properly.

Visibility and Appearance Commands

1. shape(shape_name):
   • Purpose: Sets the shape of the turtle.

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.shape("turtle")  # string
     turtle.shape("arrow")
     turtle.shape("circle")
     

     Code Lab
   • Exercise: Change the turtle's shape to "square", "triangle", and "classic".
2. showturtle():
   • Purpose: Makes the turtle visible on the screen.

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.showturtle()
     

     Code Lab
   • Exercise: Ensure the turtle is visible at the start of your program.
3. hideturtle():
   • Purpose: Makes the turtle invisible on the screen.

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.hideturtle()
     

     Code Lab
   • Exercise: Hide the turtle after drawing a shape.
4. isvisible():
   • Purpose: Checks if the turtle is currently visible.

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     visibility = turtle.isvisible()
     print(visibility)
     

     Code Lab
   • Exercise: Check if the turtle is visible before and after hiding it.

Examples

1. Toggle Visibility:

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.showturtle()  # Ensure turtle is visible
     turtle.forward(100)
     turtle.hideturtle()  # Hide turtle after drawing
     

     Code Lab
2. Check Visibility Status:

   • Example:

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.showturtle()
     visibility = turtle.isvisible()
     print("Turtle is visible:", visibility)
     
     turtle.hideturtle()
     visibility = turtle.isvisible()
     print("Turtle is visible:", visibility)
     

     Code Lab
3. Change Shape and Move:

   • Example:

     python

     

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.shape("circle")
     turtle.showturtle()
     turtle.forward(100)
     turtle.shape("arrow")
     turtle.right(90)
     turtle.forward(50)
     

     Code Lab

Exercises

1. Draw a Shape and Hide Turtle:

   • Write a program to draw a square and hide the turtle afterward.

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.showturtle()
     for _ in range(4):
         turtle.forward(100)
         turtle.right(90)
     turtle.hideturtle()
     

     Code Lab
2. Visibility Check:

   • Write a program to check if the turtle is visible before and after drawing a line.

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.showturtle()
     print("Visible before drawing:", turtle.isvisible())
     turtle.forward(100)
     turtle.hideturtle()
     print("Visible after drawing:", turtle.isvisible())
     

     Code Lab
3. Shape and Visibility Pattern:

   • Write a program to change the turtle's shape, move it, and toggle visibility.

     

     python

     import turtle
     turtle.mainloop()
     
     turtle.shape("turtle")
     turtle.showturtle()
     turtle.forward(50)
     turtle.shape("triangle")
     turtle.right(120)
     turtle.forward(50)
     turtle.hideturtle()
     turtle.shape("circle")
     turtle.showturtle()
     turtle.forward(50)
     

     Code Lab

Summary:

• In this tutorial, we learned how to control the visibility and appearance of the turtle in BlockPyArt using the commands shape(), showturtle(), hideturtle(), and isvisible(). Remember to always use the start block to activate the BlockPyArt console. If you cannot start using the BlockPyArt blocks, there will be an error. Practice these commands and exercises to get comfortable with customizing and controlling the visibility of the turtle in BlockPyArt!