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.)


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Following the Hilbert Curve


What if applet does not run?

Reference

  1. Heinz-Otto Peitgen et al, Chaos and Fractals: New Frontiers of Science , Springer, 2nd edition, 2004
  2. H. Sagan, Space-Filling Curves, Springer-Verlag, 1994

Plane Filling Curves

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