Drawing a Windmill with Python: Detailed Code and Explanation

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of drawing a windmill using Python’s turtle graphics module. We’ll provide the complete code, step-by-step explanations, and tips for customizing your design.

Why Draw a Windmill with Python?

Drawing a windmill with Python is a fun and educational way to learn about graphics programming. It not only helps you understand the basics of loops, conditionals, and functions but also encourages creativity and experimentation.

The Code

Here’s the complete code for drawing a simple windmill using the turtle module:

pythonimport turtle

# Create a turtle object
windmill = turtle.Turtle()

# Set the speed and color of the turtle cursor
windmill.speed(1)
windmill.color("blue")

# Draw the main body of the windmill
def draw_body():
    for _ in range(2):
        windmill.forward(100)  # Draw the side
        windmill.right(90)
        windmill.forward(50)  # Draw the top/bottom
        windmill.right(90)
        windmill.forward(100)
        windmill.right(90)
        windmill.forward(50)
        windmill.right(180)  # Turn around to start the next side

# Draw the blades
def draw_blades():
    # Move to the starting position for the blades
    windmill.penup()
    windmill.goto(0, 50)
    windmill.pendown()

    # Draw each blade
    for _ in range(4):
        for _ in range(2):
            windmill.forward(50)
            windmill.right(120)
        windmill.right(90)

# Draw the pole (optional)
def draw_pole():
    # Move to the starting position for the pole
    windmill.penup()
    windmill.goto(0, -50)
    windmill.pendown()

    # Change the color to brown for the pole
    windmill.color("brown")

    # Draw the pole
    windmill.forward(150)

# Call the functions to draw the windmill
draw_body()
draw_blades()
draw_pole()  # Uncomment this line if you want to draw the pole

# Hide the turtle cursor
windmill.hideturtle()

# Keep the window open until the user closes it
turtle.done()

Code Explanation


Importing the Turtle Module: We start by importing the turtle module, which provides the necessary functions and classes for graphics programming.


Creating a Turtle Object: We create a turtle object named windmill using turtle.Turtle(). This object represents the cursor that we’ll use to draw the windmill.


Setting Properties: We set the speed of the turtle cursor to 1 (the slowest speed) using windmill.speed(1). This makes it easier to see the drawing process. We also set the color of the cursor to blue using windmill.color("blue").


Drawing Functions: We define three functions to draw the different parts of the windmill: draw_body(), draw_blades(), and draw_pole(). Each function uses the turtle cursor to draw its respective part.

draw_body(): This function uses nested loops to draw the main body of the windmill. It consists of two sides, with each side having a top and bottom segment.
draw_blades(): This function moves the turtle cursor to the starting position for the blades and then uses nested loops to draw each blade. Each blade consists of two segments that are separated by a 120-degree angle.
draw_pole(): This function is optional and draws a pole under the windmill. It moves the turtle cursor to the starting position, changes the color to brown, and then draws a vertical line.



Drawing the Windmill: We call the three drawing functions in order to create the complete windmill design.


Hiding the Turtle Cursor: Finally, we hide the turtle cursor using windmill.hideturtle() to keep it from obscuring the final drawing.


Keeping the Window Open: We use turtle.done() to keep the window open until the user closes it. This