One problem is that there is very little entry-level instruction, and by very little I mean none. I thought the best way to learn the basics was to try to write a few simple instructive scripts, so here goes.
// a two component script
8 * { x 1.5 ry 45 hue -20 } // builds a series of boxes and
// changes their color
6 * { x 1 s 1.1 ry -35 hue 10 } box // applies this to each of
// the boxes, changing size and color.
// Red is the default color and the hue modification number
// is degrees on the color wheel.
// Locations are defined by coordinates - x (l-r), y (u-d), z (f-b)
// ry means rotate along the y axis. ditto for rx and rz
// Putting a size change into the brackets makes it recursive,
// each box that much smaller.
// to make it uniform, add it as a prefix, as 1 * ( s 0.9 } at the
//beginning
rule example
{
8 * { x 1.5 ry 45 hue -20 }
6 * { x 1 s 1.1 ry -35 hue 10 }
box
}
// makes this into a rule which can be called up by the name
//example
1 * { z 20 } 5 * { y 2 s 0.9 } example
// sets the location 10 away in direction z, then creates it five
// times modified in size and y location
// the second bracket builds the structure 2 units up in
//direction y
//to put it on the same level as the original add y -2 to the
// first bracket
This image was rendered with the internal raytracer, which creates shadows. The script with instructive notes follows:
set seed 45
set seed 45
// ambiguous rules have two rules with the same name.
rule a1
{
8 * { x 1 ry 45 hue 30 } box
}
// this makes a ring of boxes.
rule a1
{
1 * { y -1} 8 * { y 1 ry 45 hue -30 } box
}
// This makes a stack of boxes starting on the same level.
1 * { s 20 0.1 20 y -5 color grey } box
// This makes something for them to sit on.
// Colors can be defined by hex code (#ff3ad5 or #f3d) or by
// preset names like grey, white, etc.
10 * { z 3 ry 45 } a1
// this creates ten instances, selecting at random between
// box and stack each time
//every time you build it, it will change unless you use the
// set seed command
