| This program allows
you to view Moiré patterns interactively. The user can learn how
to build patterns out of moiré interference layers. This software
was written with OpenGL, providing hardware accelerated moire interference
patterns.
The user can provide their own interference
patterns, or use a combination of the 21 patterns provided.
What is Moire?
The word Moiré comes from the word
mohair, a kind of cloth made from the fine hair of an Angora goat. Weavers
noticed that strange and changing patterns could be seen in this type of
cloth.
Moiré is interference that can be
seen when overlaying similar patterns. Just as the fine hairs of the Angora
caused patterns, geometric patterns such as Circles, Parallel lines, and
Radial lines also do. The combination of the layers creates an alias pattern.
This is known as aliasing.
Aliasing is when a new pattern is visually
apparent – but was not present in the source patterns.
Aliasing is traditionally considered a
bad thing in computer graphics. Specifically, one does not want patterns
showing up that one did not intend to show up.
This program intentionally generates moire
patterns. It is an excellent method to examine how moiré patterns
can be generated. I think moire patterns are cool. I think they’re neat.
Just look at the screen shots on the left, and imagine them moving and
shifting and pulsating with color. =) mmmm, candy flavor for the mind.
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