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WRITING

Kumiko Patterns, Canvas, and WebGL

Break down the rules

Highly regular patterns such as kumiko are a good fit for the browser. Once lines, angles, and repetition rules are separated, drawing can stay simple, but density and zoom quickly make performance and appearance harder to balance.

The role of Canvas

Canvas works well for static previews and exports. Because coordinates are explicit, shapes can be assembled with a feel close to SVG, and the path from color and stroke adjustment to final image export is straightforward.

The role of WebGL

WebGL is useful when density changes in real time or when depth and lighting are introduced. Keeping interaction speed and export quality as separate concerns makes the implementation easier to reason about.

Leave room to breathe

Pattern work needs whitespace as much as precision. Strong rules can make a screen feel rigid, so line contrast, visible area, and animation speed should stay restrained enough that the eye can rest.