Please enable JavaScript to use CodeHS

Python Graphics Documentation

Python Graphics Documentation

Printing

We can print elements to the screen by using the print command. If we want to print(text, we need to surround the text with quotation marks " ".

    print("Hello world")
    print(2 + 2)
    print(10)
    

String Formatting

    print("My name is %s and I am %d years old!" % ('Zara', 21))
    

Variables

We use variables to store values that can be used to control commands in our code. We can also alter these values throughout the code.

    # Make a variable to store text
    name = "Zach"

    # Create variables that are numbers
    num_one = 3
    num_two = 4
    sum = num_one + num_two

    # We can also assign multiple variables at once
    num_one, num_two = 3, 4

    # The value of a variable can be changed after it has been created
    num_one = num_one + 1
    

Variables have an associated ‘type’ based on their characteristics. A string (str) is a text element, an integer (int) is a whole number element, a float (float) is a number with decimal places, and a Boolean (bool) is an element that returns either True or False. We use the type command to determine the type of an element.

    # The output will be str, or string
    print(type(name))

    # The output will be int, or integer
    print(type(sum))

    # The output will be bool, or boolean
    print(type(3==3))


    # We can change the type of an element by using the shortened name of the type
    # We do this when concatenating strings, such as:

    age = 16
    print("My age is " + str(age))
    

User Input

We can use input from the user to control our code.

    # Ask the user for input and save it to a variable to be used in code
    # This will only work if the input is being used as a string
    name = input("What is your name? ")

    # If input needs to be used as a number, include the term 'int'
    num_one = int(input("Enter a number: "))
    num_two = int(input("Enter a second number: "))

    # This input can then be used to control different parts of the code
    print("Hello, " + name)
    sum = num_one + num_two
    

Comments

We use comments to leave notes about the code to the reader. Comments are not actually run by Python, they are just there to help us read the code.

We can make multiline comments with """ and single line comments with #.

    """
    A multi-line comment describes your code
    to someone who is reading it.
    """

    Example:

    """
    This program will ask the user for two numbers.
    Then it will add the numbers and print(the final value.)
    """
    number_one = int(input("Enter a number: "))
    number_two = int(input("Enter a second number: "))
    print("Sum: " + str(number_one + number_two))

    # Use single line comments to clarify parts of code.

    Example:

    # This program adds 1 and 2
    added = 1 + 2
    print(added)
    

Break and Continue

We can use the break command to end our code. The continue command will leave the control structure at that point and move to the commands found afterward.

    # This code will end when the use enters a negative
    number = int(input("Enter a number: "))
    if number < 0:
        break
    else:
        print(str(number))


    # This code will only print the numbers 0 to 3 and 6
    for i in range(5):
        if i < 4:
            print(i)
        else:
            continue
    print("6")
    

Exceptions

Exception handling allows us to prevent our programs from crashing in the event of a fault.

    # Try/Except with input
    try:
        my_number = int(input("Enter an integer: "))
        print("Your number: " + str(my_number))
    except ValueError:
        print("That wasn't an integer!")

    # Try/Except for Type Errors
    try:
        my_number = '2' + 2
    except TypeError:
        print("A type error has occurred!")

    # Try/Except for Key Errors
    dictionary = {'1':'k', '3':'A', '4':'R', '5':'E', '6':'L'}
    try:
        dictionary['2']
    except KeyError:
        print("Key error")

    # Try/Except for Attribute Errors
    try:
        dictionary.no_method()
    except AttributeError:
        print("Attribute Error!")

    # You can also have
    try:
        my_number = int(input("Enter an integer: "))
        print("Your number: " + str(my_number))
    except:
        print("There was an error.")
    

Random Values

To be able to use the randint or choice functions, you must use import random at the beginning of your code.

    # Random integer between (and including) low and high
    import random
    random_num = random.randint(low, high)
    random_element = random.choice(string)

    # Example:
    # Returns random number within and including 0 and 10.
    random_num = random.randint(0,10)

    # Random element in a string
    random_element = random.choice('abcdefghij')
    
    # Random choice from a list
    # Will randomly choose one element from the list
    colors = ["red", "orange", "yellow", "green", "blue", "indigo"]
    color = random.choice(colors)
    

If/Else Statements

We can tell the computer how to make decisions using if/else statements. Make sure that all the code inside your if/else statement is indented one level!


If Statements

Use an if statement to instruct the computer to do something only when a condition is true. If the condition is false, the command indented underneath will be skipped.

    if BOOLEAN_EXPRESSION:
        print("This executes if BOOLEAN_EXPRESSION evaluates to True")

    # Example:

    # The text will only print if the user enters a negative number
    number = int(input("Enter a number: "))
    if number < 0:
        print(str(number) + " is negative!")
    

If/Else Statements

Use an if/else statement to force the computer to make a decision between multiple conditions. If the first condition is false, the computer will skip to the next condition until it finds one that is true. If no conditions are true, the commands inside the else block will be performed.

    if condition_1:
        print("This executes if condition_1 evaluates to True")
    elif condition_2:
        print("This executes if condition_2 evaluates to True")
    else:
        print("This executes if no prior conditions evaluate to True")

    # Example:

    # This program will print that the color is secondary
    color == "purple"
    if color == "red" or color == "blue" or color == "yellow":
        print("Primary color.")
    elif color == "green" or color == "orange" or color == "purple":
        Print "Secondary color."
    else:
        print("Not a primary or secondary color.")
    

Operators

We use mathematical, comparison, and logical operators in our codes to compare and alter values and make decisions.


Mathematical Operators

Use mathematical operators to alter values.

    +   Addition
    -   Subtraction
    *   Multiplication
    /   Division
    %   Modulus (Remainder)
    ()  Parentheses (For order of operations)

    # Examples
    z = x + y
    w = x * y

    # Division
    a = 5.0 / 2                     # Returns 2.5
    b = 5.0 // 2                    # Returns 2.0
    c = 5/2                         # Returns 2

    # Increment (add one)
    x += 1

    # Decrement (subtract one)
    x -= 1

    # Absolute value
    absolute_value = abs(x)

    abs_val = abs(-5)               # Returns 5

    # Square root
    import math
    square_root = math.sqrt(x)

    # Raising to a power
    power = math.pow(x, y)          # Calculates x^y

    # Rounding
    rounded_num = round(2.675, 2)   # Returns 2.68
    

Comparison Operators

Use comparison operators to compare elements in order to make decisions in your code. Comparison operators return booleans (True/False).

    x == y      # is x equal to y
    x != y      # is x not equal to y
    x > y       # is x greater than y
    x >= y      # is x greater than or equal to y
    x < y       # is x less than y
    x <= y      # is x less than or equal to y

    # Comparison operators in if statements
    if x == y:
        print("x and y are equal")

    if x > 5:
        print("x is greater than 5.")
    

Logical Operators

Use logical operators to check multiple conditions at once or one condition out of multiple.

    # And Operator
    and_expression = x and y

    # Or Operator
    or_expression = x or y

    # You can combine many booleans!
    boolean_expression = x and (y or z)
    

Loops

Loops help us repeat commands which makes our code much shorter. Make sure everything inside the loop is indented one level!


For Loops

Use for loops when you want to repeat something a fixed number of times.

    # This for loop will print "hello" 5 times
    for i in range(5):
        print("hello")

    # This for loop will print out even numbers 1 through 10
    for number in range(2, 11, 2):
        print("hello")

    # This code executes on each item in my_list
    # This loop will print 1, then 5, then 10, then 15
    my_list = [1, 5, 10, 15]
    for item in my_list:
        print(item)
    

While Loops

Use while loops when you want to repeat something an unknown number of times or until a condition becomes false. If there is no point where the condition becomes false, you will create an infinite loop which should always be avoided!

    # This program will run as long as the variable 'number' is greater than 0
    # Countdown from from 10 to 0
    number = 10
    while number >= 0:
        print(number)
        number -= 1


    # You can also use user input to control a while loop
    # This code will continue running while the user answers ‘Yes’
    continue = input("Continue code?: ")
    while continue == "Yes":
        continue = input("Continue code?: ")
    

Functions

Writing a function is like teaching the computer a new word.

Naming Functions: You can name your functions whatever you want, but you can't have spaces in the function name. Instead of spaces, use underscores ( _ ) like_this_for_example

Make sure that all the code inside your function is indented one level!


Defining a Function

We define a function to teach the computer the instructions for a new word. We need to use the term def to tell the computer we’re creating a function.

    def name_of_your_function():
        # Code that will run when you make a call to
        # this function.

    # Example:

    # Teach the computer to add two numbers
    num_one = 1
    num_two = 2
    def add_numbers():
        sum = num_one + num_two
    

Returning Values in Functions

We can use the command return to have a function give a value back to the code that called it. Without the return command, we could not use any altered values that were determined by the function.

    # We add a return statement in order to use the value of the sum variable
    num_one = 1
    num_two = 2
    def add_numbers():
        sum = num_one + num_two
        return sum
    

Calling a Function

We call a function to tell the computer to actually carry out the new command.

    # Call the add_numbers() function once
    # The computer will return a value of 3
    add_numbers()

    # Call the add_numbers() function 3 times and print(the output)
    # The output will be the number 3 printed on 3 separate lines
    print(add_numbers())
    print(add_numbers())
    print(add_numbers())
    

Using Parameters in Functions

We can use parameters to alter certain commands in our function. We have to include arguments for the parameters in our function call.

    # In this program, parameters are used to give two numbers
    def add_numbers(num_one, num_two):
        sum = num_one + num_two
        return sum

    # We call the function with values inside the parentheses
    # This program will print ‘7’
    print(add_numbers(3, 4))
    # If we have a list with the same number of parameters, we
    # can use the items to assign arguments using an asterisk
    my_list = [3, 4]
    print(add_numbers(*my_list))
    

Strings

Strings are pieces of text. We can gain much information about strings and alter them in many ways using various methods.


Indexing a String

We use indexing to find or take certain portions of a string. Index values always start at 0 for the first character and increase by 1 as we move to the right. From the end of the string, the final value also has an index of -1 with the values decreasing by 1 as we move to the left.

    # Prints a character at a specific index
    my_string = "hello!"
    print(my_string[0])      # prints "h"
    print(my_string[5])      # prints "!"

    # Prints all the characters after the specific index
    my_string = "hello world!"
    print(my_string[1:])      # prints "ello world!"
    print(my_string[6:])      # prints "world!"

    # Prints all the characters before the specific index
    my_string = "hello world!"
    print(my_string[:6])     # prints "hello"
    print(my_string[:1])     # prints "h"

    # Prints all the characters between the specific indices
    my_string = "hello world!"
    print(my_string[1:6])      # prints "ello"
    print(my_string[4:7])      # prints "o w"

    # Iterates through every character in the string
    # Will print(one letter of the string on each line in order)
    my_string = "Turtle"
    for c in my_string:
        print(c)

    # Completes commands if the string is found inside the given string
    my_string = "hello world!"
    if "world" in my_string:
       print("world")

    # Concatenation
    my_string = "Tracy the"
    print(my_string + " turtle")     # prints “Tracy the turtle”

    # Splits the string into a list of letters
    my_string = "Tracy"
    my_list = list(my_string)       # my_list = ['T’, ‘r’, ‘a’, ‘c’, ‘y’]

    # Using enumerate will print the index number followed by a colon and the
    # word at that index for each word in the list
    my_string = "Tracy is a turtle"
    for index, word in enumerate(my_string.split()):
        print(str(index) + ": " + word)
    

String Methods

There are many methods that can be used to alter strings.

    # upper: To make a string all uppercase
    my_string = "Hello"
    my_string = my_string.upper()     # returns "HELLO"

    # lower: To make a string all lowercase
    my_string = "Hello"
    my_string = my_string.lower()     # returns "hello"

    # isupper: Returns True if a string is all uppercase letters and False otherwise
    my_string = "HELLO"
    print(my_string.isupper())         # prints True

    # islower: Returns True if a string is all lowercase letters and False otherwise
    my_string = "Hello"
    print(my_string.islower())         # prints False

    # swapcase: Returns a string where each letter is the opposite case from original
    my_string = "PyThOn"
    my_string = my_string.swapcase()  # returns "pYtHoN"

    # strip: Returns a copy of the string without any whitespace at beginning or end
    my_string = "       hi there       "
    my_string = my_string.strip()     # returns "hi there"

    # find: Returns the lowest index in the string where substring is found
    # Returns -1 if substring is not found
    my_string = "eggplant"
    index = my_string.find("plant")   # returns 3
    index = my_string.find("Tracy")   # returns -1

    # split: Splits the string into a list of words at whitespace
    my_string = "Tracy is a turtle"
    my_list = my_string.split()       # Returns ['Tracy', 'is', 'a', 'turtle']
    

Tuples

Tuples are immutable sequences of items.


Creating a Tuple

We create a tuple by listing items inside parentheses. We can include elements of any type.

    # Make a new tuple named "my_tuple"
    my_tuple = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

    # Tuple with elements of different types
    my_tuple = (0, 1, "Tracy", (1, 2))

    # Tuple with single element
    my_tuple = (3,)

    # Tuple of tuples
    my_tuple((0, 1), (2, 3))
    

Altering a Tuple

Due to the immutable nature of tuples, we cannot alter individual elements in the tuple but can perform various other tasks with them.

    # Get the length of the tuple
    print(len(my_tuple))

    # Accessing elements within nested tuples
    print(my_tuple[0][0])
    print(my_tuple[1][0])

    # Concatenating tuples
    x = (1, 2)
    y = (5, 6)
    my_tuple = x + (3,) + y
    

Lists

Lists are mutable sequences of items.


Creating a List

We create a list by listing items inside square brackets. We can include elements of any type.

    # Create an empty list
    my_list = []

    # Create a list with any number of items
    my_list = [item1, item2, item3]
    # Example:
    number_list = [1, 2, 4]

    # A list can have any type
    my_list = [integer, string, boolean]
    # Example:
    a_list = ["hello", 4, True]
    

Altering a List

Due to the mutable nature of lists, we can alter individual elements in the list.

    # Access an element in a list
    a_list = [“hello”, 4, True]
    first_element = a_list[0]    # Returns "hello"

    # Set an element in a list
    a_list = [“hello”, 4, True]
    a_list[0] = 9                # Changes a_list to be [9, 4, True]

    # Looping over a list
    # Prints each item on a separate line (9, then 4, then True)
    a_list = [9, 4, True]
    for item in a_list:
        print(item)

    # Length of a list
    a_list = [9, 4, True]
    a_list_length = len(a_list)  # Returns 3

    # Creates a list based on first operation
    # This will create a list with numbers 0 to 4
    a_list = [x for x in range(5)]
    # This will create a list with multiples of 2 from 0 to 8
    list_of_multiples = [2*x for x in range(5)]
    

List Methods

There are many methods that can be used to alter lists.

    # append: Add to a list
    a_list = ["hello", 4, True]
    a_list.append("Puppy")       # Now a_list = ["hello", 4, True, "Puppy"]

    # pop: Remove and return last element from the list
    a_list = ["hello", 4, True]
    last_item = a_list.pop()     # Removes True, now a_list = ["hello", 4]
    # Remove and return an item from a list at index i
    a_list = ["hello", 4, True]
    a_list.pop(0)                # Removes "hello", now a_list = [4, True]

    # index: Returns the index value of the first item in the list that matches element
    # There is an error if there is no such item
    a_list = ["hello", 4, True]
    a_list.index(4)               # Returns 1 because 4 is found at index[1]
    a_list.index("hi")            # Error because no item "hi"

    # sort: Returns a sorted list
    my_list = [9, 7, 1, 2, 3]
    my_list.sort()               # Returns [1, 2, 3, 7, 9]

    # reverse: Returns a reversed list
    my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4]
    my_list.reverse()            # Returns [4, 3, 2, 1]

    # count: Returns the number of instances of a particular item that were found
    my_list = [1, 4, 2, -4, 10, 0, 4, 2, 1, 4]
    print(my_list.count(4))       # Returns 3
    print(my_list.count(123))     # Returns 0 because 123 does not exist in list

    # extend: Allows us to add a list to a list
    my_list = [1, 2, 3]
    my_list.extend([4, 5, 6])    # Returns [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

    # remove: Allows us to remove a particular item from a list
    # Only removes the first instance of the item
    my_list = ["apple", "banana", "orange", "grapefruit"]
    my_list.remove("orange")     # Returns ["apple", "banana", "grapefruit"]


    # join: Creates string out of list with specified string placed between each item
    my_list = ["Tracy", "is", "a", "turtle"]
    (" ").join(my_list)          # Returns the list as a string with spaces between words
    

2D Lists

2D Lists allow us to create lists of lists.

    # Create an empty list
    my_list = []

    # Add to the list
    my_list.append([1, 2, 3])
    my_list.append([4, 5, 6])

    # Access elements within the nested lists
    print(my_list[0])        # Returns [1, 2, 3]
    print(my_list[0][1])     # Returns 2

    # Take a slice of the outer list
    print(my_list[0:2])      # Returns [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]]

    # Take a slice of the inner list
    print(my_list[0][0:2])   # Returns [1, 2]
    

Dictionaries

Dictionaries have a collections of key-value pairs.

    a_dictionary = {key1:value1, key2:value2}
    # Example:
    my_farm = {pigs:2, cows:4}  # This dictionary keeps a farm's animal count

    # Creates an empty dictionary
    a_dictionary = {}

    # Inserts a key-value pair
    a_dictionary[key] = value
    my_farm["horses"] = 1      # The farm now has one horse

    # Gets a value for a key
    my_dict[key] # Will return the key
    my_farm["pigs"]            # Will return 2, the value of "pigs"

    # Using the 'in' keyword
    my_dict = {"a": 1, "b": 2}
    print("a" in my_dict)       # Returns True
    print("z" in my_dict)       # Returns False
    print(2 in my_dict)         # Returns False, because 2 is not a key

    # Iterating through a dictionary
    for key in my_dict:
        print("key: " + str(key))
        print("value: " + str(my_dict[key]))
    

Classes

Classes hold multiple functions.

    # Declare a class
    class MyClass:
        # The __init__ method is called whenever we instantiate our class
        def __init__(self):
            print("Class initiated")
            self.my_num = 0

    # Instantiate your class
    my_class = MyClass()

    # Access instance variables in your class
    print(my_class.my_num)

    my_class.my_num = 10

    # Adding arguments to your class
    class Point:
        def __init__(self, x = 0, y = 0):
            self.x = x
            self.y = y

    # Instantiate the class
    p = Point(3, 4)
    

Sets

A set contains an unordered collection of unique and immutable objects.

    # Make a new set named "new_set"
    new_set = set([])
    girl_scout_badges = set([])

    # Add to a set
    new_set.add(item)
    girl_scout_badges.add("Squirrel Whisperer")

    # Does a set contain a value
    item in my_set # Returns a boolean
    "Squirrel Whisperer" in girl_scout_badges  # Returns True

    # Number of elements in the set
    len(my_set)
    len(girl_scout_badges)  # Returns 1 since there is only one item in the set
    

File Input

Use the following when importing files.

    # Extracting Data from a File:

    # Example File:

    #        test.txt
    #   ------------------
    #
    #   Hello World
    #   This is File Input
    #
    #   ------------------

    # Opening the file, Create a File object and store it in a Variable:
    file = open('test.txt')

    # Getting all text:
    file.read()     # Returns:
                    #   Hello World
                    #   This is File Input

    # Getting a Line of Text:
    file.readline()     # Returns:
                        #   Hello World

    # Getting lines in a file:
    for line in file:
        print(line + '!'   # Returns:)
                            #   Hello World\n!
                            #   This is File Input\n!

    # Note '\n', signifying the end of a line of text
    for line in file:
        print(line + '!'    # Returns:)
                            #   Hello World
                            #   !
                            #   This is File Input
                            #   !

    # To remove this extra newline, we can use:
    for line in file:
        print(line.strip() + '!'   # Returns:)
                                    #   Hello World!
                                    #   This is File input!

    # Closing a File
    file.close()
    

Graphics

We use the Tkinter library to add graphics to the screen.

Skeleton

2D Lists allow us to create lists of lists.

    from tkinter import *
    root = Tk()

    screen = Canvas(root)
    screen.pack()

    # Commands go here

    mainloop()
    

Canvas

The coordinate system used in our Python Graphics canvas is a bit different than the accepted x-y system. The (0,0) point is location in the top left hand corner, with x values increasing as you move right, and y values increasing as you move down.

When creating the canvas, or screen, we can define specific attributes, such as width, height, and color.

    # Use ‘background’ attribute to change color
    screen = Canvas(root, width = 300, height = 200, background = "light blue")

    # Use ‘bg’ attribute to change color
    screen = Canvas(root, width = 300, height = 200, bg = "red")
    

Text

We add text to our canvas by noting the x and y position of the center of the text. We can then specify the text, color, and font as parameters.

    
    # General format to create a line
    # Fill and font are optional
    screen.create_line(x, y, text= "", fill="color", font=("type", size))
    
    # Standard black font example
    screen.create_text(100, 300, text="CodeHS")
    
    # Add Hello World in Blue
    screen.create_text(235, 140, text="Hello World", fill="blue", font=("times",24))
    

Lines

We add lines to our canvas by noting the x and y positions of each point. We can add a whole shape with one command by simply adding multiple points.

    # General format to create a line
    screen.create_line(x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, ...)

    # Add a diagonal line with two points
    screen.create_line(0, 0, 300, 200)

    # Add a triangle by noting four points (first and last point are the same)
    screen.create_line(100, 100, 150, 150, 50, 150, 100, 100)

    # Use variables to draw a horizontal line across the canvas no matter the dimensions
    screen.create_line(0, canvas_height/2, canvas_width, canvas_height/2)
    

Rectangles

We add rectangles to our canvas by noting the x and y positions of the top left corner and bottom right corner of the box.

    # General format to create a rectangle
    screen.create_rectangle(x1, y1, x2, y2)

    # Add a rectangles
    screen.create_rectangle(0, 150, 400, 300)

    # Add a square
    screen.create_rectangle(100, 100, 150, 150)
    

Ovals

We add ovals to our canvas by noting the x and y positions of the top left corner and bottom right corner of the box surrounding the shape.

    # General format to create an oval
    screen.create_oval(x1, y1, x2, y2)

    # Add a horizontally-long oval
    screen.create_oval(50, 50, 300, 100)

    # Use variables to draw a circle in the center of the canvas no matter the dimensions
    top_x= canvas_width/2 - circle_radius
    top_y= canvas_height/2 - circle_radius
    bottom_x= canvas_width/2 + circle_radius
    bottom_y= canvas_height/2 + circle_radius
    screen.create_oval(top_x, top_y, bottom_x, bottom_y)
    

Arcs

We add arcs to our canvas by giving the x,y coordinates of the top left and bottom right corners around the full circle consecutively. Note that all arcs default to a black outline.

    # General format to create an arc
    screen.create_arc(x1, x2, y1, y2, start = value_0_to_360, extent = value_0_to_360)
    # start is the placement of the start of the arc, given as a value from 0-360
    # extent is the length of the arc, given as a value from 0-360

    # Add a red semi-circle
    screen.create_arc(50, 50, 100, 100, start = 0, extent = 180, fill = "red")


    # Add a blue quarter-circle
    screen.create_arc(20, 20, 40, 40, start = 45, extent = 90, fill = "blue")
    

Polygons

We add polygons to our canvas by giving the x,y coordinates of each point in the shape consecutively. Note that all polygons default to being filled in black.

    # General format to create a polygon
    screen.create_polygon(x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, ...)

    # Add a black triangle
    screen.create_polygon(100, 100, 150, 150, 50, 150, 100, 100)
    

Graphics Attributes

There are many attributes we can use when creating shapes to customize their style.

    # fill: colors in a shape with a noted color
    # Create a green circle
    screen.create_oval(50, 50, 100, 100, fill = "green")

    # outline: changes the color of the outline of a shape to a noted color
    # Draw a square with a purple outline
    screen.create_rectangle(100, 100, 300, 300, outline = "purple")

    # width: changes the thickness of the outline of a shape
    # Draw a vertical line in the center of any size canvas with thickness of 10 pixels
    screen.create_line(canvas_width/2, 0, canvas_width/2, canvas_height, width = 10)

    # dash: creates a dashed line or outline of a shape
    # Draw a line with 20 pixel long dashes and spaces
    screen.create_rectangle(100, 100, 300, 200, dash = 20)

    # Draw a line with 20 pixel long dashes and 10 pixel long spaces
    screen.create_rectangle(100, 100, 300, 200, dash = (20, 10))
    

Color

We can use accepted color names or hex codes to set the colors of attributes in our Python Graphics programs.

Accepted Colors in Tkinter

Some accepted color names:

  • red
  • orange
  • orange red
  • dark orange
  • chartreuse
  • ...And the list goes on!

For a full list of accepted color names, visit this link.

    # Draw a square with a yellow outline
    screen.create_rectangle(50, 50, 200, 200, outline = "LightGoldenrod1")
    

Hex Codes

We can also use hex codes to set color values. A hex code is made up of a pound sign (#) followed by 6 characters, the first two characters representing the amount of red in the chosen color, the second two noting the amount of green, and the last two note the amount of blue.

Use a site such as https://htmlcolorcodes.com/ to pick a color will give you the hex code which can be dropped right into any attribute!

    # Set the canvas color to a/ grayish-orange using a hex code
    screen = Canvas(root, width = 400, height = 300, bg = "#E3A092")
    

Mouse Click Events

We add mouse click events by binding a function to a specific mouse click. The function name does not include parenthesis, but the mouse click event does pass information about the event that can be captured in the event parameter. We can then get the x and y position of the mouse click.

    
    # General format
    
    # Callback function
    def callback(event):
        x_pos = event.x
        y_pos = event.y
    
    screen.bind("<Button>", callback)
    
    
    # Create a 10 by 20 rectangle at a click
    def draw_rectangle(event):
        screen.create_rectangle(event.x, event.y, event.x + 10, event.y + 20)
    
    screen.bind("<Button>", draw_rectangle)
    

Keyboard Events

We can add keyboard event similar to mouse click events by binding a function to the key event. The function name does not include parenthesis, but the event does pass information about which key was presssed. We also need to set the focus on the screen. Make sure you click on the canvas to select it before trying to type keys!

    
    # General format
    
    # Callback function
    def callback(event):
        key = event.keysym
    
    screen.bind("<Key>", callback)
    screen.focus_set()
    
    # Moving square example

    square = screen.create_oval(100, 100, 150, 150)
    def key_input(event):
        if event.keysym == "Left":
            screen.move(square, -5, 0)
        elif event.keysym == "Right":
            screen.move(square, 5, 0)
        elif event.keysym == "Up":
            screen.move(square, 0, -5)
        elif event.keysym == "Down":
            screen.move(square, 0, 5)
    
    screen.bind("<Key>", key_input)
    screen.focus_set()