Pen-based "typing" with word shapes

In this variation on pen-based text input I was interested in trying something in which words would form interesting visual patterns.

To draw any one character between the hex dots, you use a simple line or curved arc. As you drag your mouse from one character to another to make a word, your pen traces out interesting compound curves. Eventually, when you've written a particular word enough times, you learn the compound curve of that word as a visual glyph.

It's particularly fun to see what shape is formed by writing your own name.

- Ken Perlin

 

 

Java Source:
DemoApplet extends BufferedApplet
calls:
      TextEditor
      AlphaDraw extends Recognizer

Instructions:

Draw on the applet to "type" characters.
Drag/click in text to select text/place cursor.
Slide along the right edge to scale the hex pattern.