Vectorized native-code and shader implementations of Perlin noise for Python

This is a fork of Casey Duncan's noise library that vectorizes all of the noise functions using NumPy. It is much faster than the original for computing noise values at many coordinates.

This package is designed to give you simple to use, fast functions for generating Perlin noise in your Python programs. Perlin noise is famously called the "salt" of procedural generation, as it adds considerable flavor in its application. Noise is commonly used for imparting realism in textures, animation and other procedural content generation -- placement of hairs, heights of mountains, density of forests, waving of a flag, etc. etc..

Background

Ken Perlin invented the technique implemented in these algorithms following his work on the CGI for the movie Tron. Over time Perlin noise has become ubiquitous in CGI, and greatly contributed to the huge leap in realism that followed.

An excellent "from the horse's mouth" overview of Perlin noise can be found here: http://www.noisemachine.com/talk1/

An excellent discussion of simplex noise can be found here: http://zach.in.tu-clausthal.de/teaching/cg2_08/literatur/simplexnoise.pdf

The vec_noise library includes native-code implementations of Perlin "improved" noise and Perlin simplex noise. It also includes a fast implementation of Perlin noise in GLSL, for use in OpenGL shaders. The shader code and many of the included examples require Pyglet (http://www.pyglet.org), the native-code noise functions themselves do not, however.

The Perlin improved noise functions can also generate fBm (fractal Brownian motion) noise by combining multiple octaves of Perlin noise. Functions for convenient generation of turbulent noise in shaders are also included.

Installation

Installation uses the standard Python distutils regime:

python setup.py install

This will compile and install the noise package into your Python site packages.

Usage

The functions and their signatures are documented in their respective docstrings. Use the Python help() function to read them:

>>> import vec_noise
>>> help(vec_noise)

The examples directory contains sample programs using the noise functions.

Thanks

Blue planet texture used for atmosphere example courtesy NASA