# Awesome Creative Coding [![Awesome](https://cdn.rawgit.com/sindresorhus/awesome/d7305f38d29fed78fa85652e3a63e154dd8e8829/media/badge.svg)](https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome) [](https://github.com/terkelg/awesome-creative-coding) > Carefully curated list of awesome [creative coding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_coding) resources primarily for beginners/intermediates. Creative coding is a different discipline than programming systems in which the goal is to create something expressive instead of something functional. **Interaction design**, **information visualization** and **generative art** are all different types of creative coding – which has become a household term describing **artworks articulated as code**. *You might also like [Graphics resources](https://github.com/mattdesl/graphics-resources) and [Awesome OpenGL](https://github.com/eug/awesome-opengl).* *Please read the [contribution guidelines](contributing.md) before contributing.*
## Contents ## Books - [Generative Art: A Practical Guide](http://zenbullets.com/book.php) - Practical guide using Processing. - [Generative Design](http://www.generative-gestaltung.de/) - Visualize, Program, and Create with Processing. - [The Nature of Code](http://natureofcode.com/) - Simulating natural systems with Processing. - [The Book of Shaders](https://thebookofshaders.com/) - Step-by-step guide through the abstract and complex universe of fragment shaders. - [Programming Design Systems](https://programmingdesignsystems.com/) - Practical introduction to the new foundations of graphic design. - [Pixel Shaders](http://pixelshaders.com/) - Interactive Introduction to Graphics Programming. - [Learning Modern 3D Graphics Programming](https://paroj.github.io/gltut/) - Series of tutorials on using OpenGL to do graphical rendering. - [Scratchapixel 2.0](http://www.scratchapixel.com/) - Learn Computer Graphics From Scratch. - [Programming Interactivity](http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596154158.do) - Designer's Guide to Processing, Arduino, and openFrameworks. - [ofBook](http://openframeworks.cc/ofBook/chapters/foreword.html) - Community-written book/guide on openFrameworks. - [openFrameworks Essentials](https://www.packtpub.com/application-development/openframeworks-essentials) - openFrameworks beginner Guide for programmer, visual artist, or designer. - [Mastering openFrameworks: Creative Coding Demystified](https://www.packtpub.com/application-development/mastering-openframeworks-creative-coding-demystified) - Advanced in depth guide to openFrameworks. - [Algorithms for Visual Design Using the Processing Language](https://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Visual-Design-Processing-Language/dp/0470375485) - Experiment with design problems to create 3D animations, GUIs, and more. - [Data-driven Graphic Design](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1472578309/) - Creative Coding for Visual Communication. - [Foundation HTML5 Animation with JavaScript](http://www.apress.com/us/book/9781430236658) - Everything you need to know to create animation using the HTML5 canvas. - [Playing with chaos](http://www.playingwithchaos.net/) - Programming Fractals and Strange Attractors in JavaScript. - [Ray Tracing in One Weekend](https://www.amazon.com/Ray-Tracing-Weekend-Minibooks-Book-ebook/dp/B01B5AODD8/) - Mini book about Ray Tracing. - [Learn OpenGL](https://learnopengl.com/) - Extensive tutorial resource for learning Modern OpenGL. ## Subreddits - [r/creativecoding](https://www.reddit.com/r/creativecoding/) - Sharing and discussing the use of computer programming as a creative discipline. - [r/raytraycing](https://www.reddit.com/r/raytracing/) - Subreddit on raytracing. - [r/opengl](https://www.reddit.com/r/opengl/) - News and discussion about OpenGL on all platforms. - [r/graphicsprogramming](https://www.reddit.com/r/GraphicsProgramming/) - Subreddit on graphics programming. - [r/processing](https://www.reddit.com/r/processing/) - Subreddit on Processing. - [r/shaders](https://www.reddit.com/r/shaders/) - Subreddit on shaders. - [r/proceduralgeneration](https://www.reddit.com/r/proceduralgeneration/) - Subreddit on procedural generation. ## Communities - [realtimevfx.com](https://realtimevfx.com/) - Real Time VFX Community. - [creative-dev](https://creative-dev.herokuapp.com/) - Creative Development Slack. - [The Creative Coding Podcast](http://creativecodingpodcast.com/) - Iain and Seb discuss the ins and outs of creative coding. ## Ecosystems / Frameworks ### Desktop - [Processing](https://processing.org) - Computer programming language and IDE for visual arts. - [Cinder](https://libcinder.org/) - Open source library for professional-quality creative coding in C++. - [openFrameworks](http://openframeworks.cc/) - Open source C++ toolkit for creative coding. - [vvvv](https://vvvv.org/) - Hybrid visual/textual live-programming environment for easy prototyping and development. - [NodeBox](https://www.nodebox.net/node/) - Cross-platform, node-based GUI for efficient data visualizations and generative design. - [Structure Synth](http://structuresynth.sourceforge.net/) - Cross-platform application for generating 3D structures by specifying a design grammar. - [Unity](https://unity3d.com/) - Game engine, but useful for creative coding and installations. - [i-score](http://www.i-score.org) - Interactive sequencer to control creative coding libraries and toolkits. - [TouchDesigner](http://www.derivative.ca/) - Visual development platform to create realtime projects. ### Web - [three.js](https://github.com/mrdoob/three.js/) - JavaScript 3D library. - [regl](https://github.com/regl-project/regl) - Functional WebGL. - [Stackgl](http://stack.gl/) - Open software ecosystem for WebGL, built on top of browserify and npm. - [Paper.js](http://paperjs.org/) - The swiss army knife of vector graphics scripting. - [Pixi.js](http://www.pixijs.com/) - HTML 5 2D rendering engine that uses webGL with canvas fallback. - [p5.js](https://p5js.org/) - JavaScript library that starts with the original goal of Processing. - [Fabric.js](http://fabricjs.com/) - Javascript canvas library, SVG-to-canvas parser. - [Sketch.js](http://soulwire.github.io/sketch.js/) - Minimal JavaScript creative coding framework. - [Two.js](https://two.js.org/) - Two-dimensional drawing api geared towards modern web browsers. ### Mobile - [C4](http://www.c4ios.com) - Open-source creative coding framework for iOS. ## Learning material - [The Coding Train](https://www.youtube.com/user/shiffman) - Daniel Shiffman makes videos about creative coding. - [Shaders](https://github.com/mattdesl/lwjgl-basics/wiki/Shaders) - Shader tutorial in the context of lwjgl-basics. - [Create 3D Graphics in JS Using WebGL](https://egghead.io/courses/create-3d-graphics-in-javascript-using-webgl) - Get started creating content with WebGL without any frameworks. - [Learn HTML5 Graphics and Animation](https://egghead.io/courses/learn-html5-graphics-and-animation) - Introduction to the canvas 2D drawing API. - [WebGL 2 Fundamentals](http://webgl2fundamentals.org/) - WebGL2 from the ground up. No magic. - [Shaders: A primer](https://notes.underscorediscovery.com/shaders-a-primer/) - A primer on shaders. - [Shaders: Second stage](https://notes.underscorediscovery.com/shaders-second-stage/) - The second part to the previous. - [WebGL Lessons — Fragment Shaders](https://github.com/Jam3/jam3-lesson-webgl-shader-intro) - A brief introduction to fragment shaders. - [WebGL Lessons — ThreeJS Shaders](https://github.com/Jam3/jam3-lesson-webgl-shader-threejs) - Using custom vertex and fragment shaders in ThreeJS. - [ThreeJS post-proces example](https://github.com/Jam3/threejs-post-process-example) - example of post-processing effects in ThreeJS. - [Introduction to shaders](https://aerotwist.com/tutorials/an-introduction-to-shaders-part-1/) - Part 1 of an introduction to shaders using threejs. - [Ray Marching and Signed Distance Functions](http://www.scratchapixel.com/lessons/3d-basic-rendering/introduction-to-ray-tracing) - Introduction to ray tracing. - [Introduction to Ray Tracing](http://jamie-wong.com/2016/07/15/ray-marching-signed-distance-functions/) - A simple method for creating 3D images. - [GLSL lighting walkthrough](https://github.com/stackgl/glsl-lighting-walkthrough) - Phong shading tutorial with glslify. - [Interactive 3D Graphics](https://classroom.udacity.com/courses/cs291) - Udacity course that teach you the principles of 3D computer graphics. - [Interactive Computer Graphics](https://www.coursera.org/learn/interactive-computer-graphics) - Computer graphics course from Coursera. - [MFGD - Fragment Shaders](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW3Zl3wyJwWMpFSRpeMmSBGDShbkiV1Cq) - YouTube playlist about fragment shaders. - [Learn OpenGL](https://learnopengl.com/) - Learn the inner workings of computer graphics. - [Cat Like Coding](http://catlikecoding.com/unity/tutorials/) - Tutorials on math, algorithms, and Unity features. - [Three glslify example](https://github.com/mattdesl/three-glslify-example) - Example on how to use three.js with glslify. - [Kadenze Creative Coding](http://try.kadenze.com/creative-coder/) - Selection of Kadenze courses covering p5.js, TensorFlow, Max/Jitter, and ChucK. - [Think. Create. Code](https://www.edx.org/course/think-create-code-adelaidex-code101x-2) - EDX course to learn programming with ProcessingJS. - [Creative Coding](https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/creative-coding) - FutureLearn course on programming with Processing. - [Creative Programming for Digital Media & Mobile Apps](https://www.coursera.org/learn/digitalmedia) - Coursera course on creative coding with processing. - [Creative-coding on iOS with C4](http://www.creativeapplications.net/tutorials/creative-coding-on-ios-with-c4-tutorial/) - Introduction to C4 published on Creative Applications. - [COSMOS](http://www.c4ios.com/cosmos/) - An end-to-end tutorial on the design, programming and launch of an app using C4. - [Fun Programming](http://funprogramming.org/) - Learn creative coding writing simple programs. - [Imaginary Institute](https://imaginary-institute.com/) - Learn how to create gorgeous interactive graphics. - [WebGL Beyond Dom](https://github.com/gregtatum/talk-webgl-beyond-dom) - Greg Tatum explain the basic of WebGL using Regl. - [Particle Physics](https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/pixar/effects/particle-physics/a/start-here-fx) - Particle physics explained. - [HTML Canvas Deep Dive](http://joshondesign.com/p/books/canvasdeepdive/toc.html) - Profound introduction to the canvas API. - [Adventures in Game Development World](http://ruh.li/) - Easy to understand collection of articles on game developement, but relevant to creative coding as well. ## Interactive tutorials - [Shader-school](https://github.com/stackgl/shader-school) - Workshop for GLSL shaders and graphics programming. - [Webgl-workshop](https://github.com/stackgl/webgl-workshop) - The sequel to shader-school: Learn the WebGL API. - [Fragment-oundry](http://hughsk.io/fragment-foundry) - Interactive fragment shader tutorial. - [SDF Tutorial 1: box & balloon](https://www.shadertoy.com/view/Xl2XWt) - Shadertoy tutorial on raytracing. - [HOWTO: Ray Marching](https://www.shadertoy.com/view/XllGW4) - Shadertoy tutorial on Ray Marching. - [Raymarch Tutorial2](https://www.shadertoy.com/view/XlBGDW) - Shadertoy raymarch tutorial. - [GLSL 2D Tutorials](https://www.shadertoy.com/view/Md23DV) - Shadertoy GLSL 2D Tutorial. - [Bubble Breakdown](http://mrl.nyu.edu/~perlin/bubble_breakdown/) - Shader breakdown by Perlin. ## Articles - [Shepherding random numbers](http://inconvergent.net/shepherding-random-numbers/) - Tiny guide to shepherding random numbers. - [FBO particles](http://barradeau.com/blog/?p=621) - Article about FBO/GPGPU particles by @nicoptere. - [Ray marching (with THREE.js)](http://barradeau.com/blog/?p=575) - Article about ray marching with three.js by @nicoptere. - [Visualizing Algorithms](https://bost.ocks.org/mike/algorithms/) - Looks at the use of visualization to understand, explain and debug algorithms. - [Custom shaders with Three.JS](https://csantosbh.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/custom-shaders-with-three-js-uniforms-textures-and-lighting/) - Introduction to custom shaders, uniforms, textures and lighting in three.js. - [Modern OpenGL Series](https://github.com/tomdalling/opengl-series) - Good introduction to some of the OpenGL terms. - [An intro to modern OpenGL](http://duriansoftware.com/joe/An-intro-to-modern-OpenGL.-Chapter-1:-The-Graphics-Pipeline.html) - First part of an introduction to modern OpenGL. - [Experimenting with Three.js shaders and the ShaderMaterial](http://blog.2pha.com/experimenting-threejs-shaders-and-shadermaterial) - Introduction to custom mesh shader materials. - [Three.js 101](https://medium.com/@necsoft/three-js-101-hello-world-part-1-443207b1ebe1) - Introduction to three.js from a creative coder perspective. ## Math - [Math as code](https://github.com/Jam3/math-as-code) - Cheat-sheet for mathematical notation in code form. - [Coding Math](https://www.youtube.com/user/codingmath) - Teaches you the math you need to understand as a programmer. - [Math snippets](https://github.com/terkelg/math) - Math snippets with graphic programming in mind. - [Formul Animations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ifChJ0nJfM) - The principles of painting with maths. - [Learning Maths again](https://github.com/silviopaganini/maths) - Collection of JS and GLSL math snippets. - [Eases](https://github.com/mattdesl/eases) - Grab-bag of modular easing equations. - [Math for Motion](https://soulwire.co.uk/math-for-motion/) - Visualization of different motion equations. - [Matrix Multiplication](http://matrixmultiplication.xyz) - Matrix multiplication visualized. - [Algebra rules](http://algebrarules.com/) - The most useful rules of basic algebra. - [Immersive Math](http://immersivemath.com/ila/index.html) - Fully interactive linear algebra. - [Image Kernels](http://setosa.io/ev/image-kernels/) - Interactive and visual introduction to image kernels. - [Sine and Cosine](http://setosa.io/ev/sine-and-cosine/) - Interactive explination of sine and cosine. - [Perlin Noise](https://eev.ee/blog/2016/05/29/perlin-noise/) - Perlin noise explained in detail. ## Inspiration - [Shadertoy](https://www.shadertoy.com/) - Build and share shaders with the world and get inspired. - [GLSLbin](http://glslb.in/) - Fragment shader sandbox with support for glslify. - [GLSL Sandbox](http://glslsandbox.com/) - Online shader editor and gallery. - [CodePen](http://codepen.io/) - Show case of advanced techniques with editable source code. - [OpenProcessing](https://www.openprocessing.org/) - Algorithmic Designs Created with Processing, p5js and processingjs. - [Dwitter](https://www.dwitter.net/) - Social network for short JavaScript demos. - [Chrome Experiments](https://www.chromeexperiments.com/) - Showcase of web experiments written by the creative coding community. - [Codedoodl.es](http://codedoodl.es/) - Showcase of curated creative coding sketches. - [For your Processing](http://fyprocessing.tumblr.com/) - Projects and tutorials about Processing. - [31 days of Canvas tutorials](http://creativejs.com/2011/08/31-days-of-canvas-tutorials/) - Collection of canvas tutorials by Seb Lee-Delisle. - [Art From Code](http://www.artfromcode.com/) - Code sketches by Keith Peters. - [Generator.x](https://www.flickr.com/groups/generatorx/) - Flickr group about generative strategies in art & design. - [Generative Art](https://www.flickr.com/groups/generativeart/) - Flickr group about generative art. - [People You Should Follow on CodePen](https://github.com/nucliweb/People-You-Should-Follow-on-CodePen) - List of interesting people worth following. ## Machine Learning / A.I. - [ml4a](http://ml4a.github.io/) - Machine learning for artists. - [Keras.js](https://transcranial.github.io/keras-js/) - Run Keras models (tensorflow backend) in the browser, with GPU support. - [Tesseract.js](http://tesseract.projectnaptha.com/) - Pure Javascript Multilingual OCR. - [Google ML](https://cloud.google.com/ml/) - Cloud machine learning by Google. - [TensorFlow](https://www.tensorflow.org/) - Open source software library for machine intelligence. - [ConvNetJS](http://cs.stanford.edu/people/karpathy/convnetjs/started.html) - Deep Learning in your browser. - [Wekinator](http://www.wekinator.org/) - Allows anyone to use machine learning. ## Shaders / OpenGL / WebGL - [gltut](https://paroj.github.io/gltut/Basics/Intro%20Glossary.html) - 3D programming glossary. - [Smooth minimum](http://iquilezles.org/www/articles/smin/smin.htm) - Article about the smooth based primitive union. - [Modeling with distance functions](http://iquilezles.org/www/articles/distfunctions/distfunctions.htm) - Collection of distance functions in one centralized place. - [Volumetric rendering](http://www.alanzucconi.com/2016/07/01/volumetric-rendering/) - Explains how to create complex 3D shapes inside volumetric shaders. - [Real-time Rendering](http://www.realtimerendering.com/) - Book, blog and collection of resources regarding real-time rendering. ## Tools - [F3](http://www.syedrezaali.com/f3-mac-app/) - Powerful 3D design app that enables you to live code 3D form. - [Fragment](http://www.syedrezaali.com/store/fragment-osx-app) - Mac app to live code GLSL graphics. - [Chrome Shader Editor](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/shader-editor/ggeaidddejpbakgafapihjbgdlbbbpob?hl=en) - Live editing shaders in the browser. - [ShaderTool](http://store.steampowered.com/app/314720/) - Modern shader IDE for programmers and FX artists. - [Shadershop](http://www.cdglabs.org/Shadershop/) - Interface for programming GPU shaders. - [hg_sdf](http://mercury.sexy/hg_sdf/) - GLSL library for building signed distance functions. ## Cheatsheets / References / Glossaries - [The Book of Shaders Glossary](https://thebookofshaders.com/glossary/) - Shader glossary by theme. - [GLSL](http://www.shaderific.com/glsl/) - OpenGL ES shading language reference. - [Canvas Cheatsheet](https://skilled.co/html-canvas/images/HTML_Canvas_Cheatsheet.pdf) - Quick and visual canvas cheatsheet. - [WebGL Cheatsheet](https://www.khronos.org/files/webgl/webgl-reference-card-1_0.pdf) - WebGL 1.0 API reference card. - [Glossary of Computer Graphics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_computer_graphics) - Glossary of terms relating computer graphics. - [GLSL Reference Guide](http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/academic/class/15462-f10/www/lec_slides/glslref.pdf) - OpenGL Shading Language quick reference guide. ## Talks / Presentations / Videos - [Intro to WebGL](http://davidscottlyons.com/threejs/presentations/frontporch14/) - Intro to WebGL with three.js. - [Inigo Quilez Live](http://www.iquilezles.org/live/index.htm) - Collection of live coding videos by Íñigo Quílez. - [There is also canvas](https://slideslive.com/38898318/there-is-also-canvas) - Bruno Imbrizi go through the use of canvas for creative coding at WebExpo 2016. Interactive slides [here](https://brunoimbrizi.github.io/webexpo-2016/dist/). - [Draw. Move. Fail. Repeat.](http://setimeout.com/workshops/gobelins-2016/) - Slides by [@williamapan](https://twitter.com/williamapan) from his Creative developer workshop at Gobelins. - [OpenGL 3D Game Tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRIWtICgwaX0u7Rf9zkZhLoLuZVfUksDP) - Beginners tutorial series about creating 3D games OpenG. ## Websites / Blogs - [abandonedart.org](http://abandonedart.org/) - Generative art blog by Matt Pearso. Good for inspiration. - [iquilezles.org](http://www.iquilezles.org) - Home of Íñigo Quílez, specialised in GLSL and math snippets. - [bit-101.com](http://www.bit-101.com/blog/) - Blog by Keith Peters, specialised in creative coding. - [IBreakDownShaders](http://ibreakdownshaders.blogspot.com.au/) - Explore the math behind shaders. ## Related: - [Awesome opengl](https://github.com/eug/awesome-opengl) - Curated list of awesome OpenGL libraries, debuggers and resources. - [Graphics resources](https://github.com/mattdesl/graphics-resources) - List of graphic programming resources. - [Awesome canvas](https://github.com/raphamorim/awesome-canvas) - Curated list of awesome HTML5 canvas with examples, related articles and posts. - [Awesome audio visualization](https://github.com/willianjusten/awesome-audio-visualization) - Curated list about Audio Visualization. - [Awesome computer vision](https://github.com/jbhuang0604/awesome-computer-vision) - Curated list of awesome computer vision resources. - [Magic Tools](https://github.com/ellisonleao/magictools) - List of game development resources to make magic happen. - [Hanecci’s link collection](http://d.hatena.ne.jp/hanecci/20131005/p1) - Link collection of ray marching on the GPU. - [Awesome visualization research](https://github.com/mathisonian/awesome-visualization-research) - List of recommended research papers and other readings on data visualization. - [Awesome livecoding](https://github.com/lvm/awesome-livecoding/) - Curated list of livecoding languages and tools. ## License [![CC0](http://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/buttons/88x31/svg/cc-zero.svg)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) To the extent possible under law, [Terkel Gjervig](http://terkel.com) has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.