Following the Hilbert Curve
The standard polygonal approximation to the Hilbert plane filling curve is constructed following a simple algorithm that is best expressed in terms of L-Systems [e.g., Chaos and Fractals, Ch. 7]. The standard construction starts with a square U shape. Each step combines four smaller copies of the result of the pervious step: the two middle ones are identical to the previous shape, the other two are obtained by turning the latter left and right.
The applet bellow applies that algorithm to a semicircle and a tent function, instead of the original U shape. Both construction serve exactly the same purpose as the Hilbert curve, viz., filling a square with a continuous curve. In fact, Hilbert himself considered his curve only as a sample resulting from a general procedure described in a 1891 paper.
(To see the progress of polygonal approximations keep clicking in the applet area.)
What if applet does not run? |
Reference
- Heinz-Otto Peitgen et al, Chaos and Fractals: New Frontiers of Science , Springer, 2nd edition, 2004
- H. Sagan, Space-Filling Curves, Springer-Verlag, 1994
Plane Filling Curves
- Plane Filling Curves
- Plane Filling Curves: Hilbert's and Moore's
- Plane Filling Curves: Peano's and Wunderlich's
- Plane Filling Curves: all possible Peano curve
- Plane Filling Curves: the Lebesgue Curve
- Following the Hilbert Curve
- Plane Filling Curves: One of Sierpinski's Curves
- A Plane Filling Curve for the Year 2017
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