How to make a Shapes program
You can use any image creating software to make Shapes programs. You can use raster graphics or vector graphics software. Though I recommend using vector graphics software because it's mostly easier.
Raster graphics apps in no particular order:
- Krita
- GIMP
- Paint
Vector graphics apps:
- Inkscape
- Blender
In this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to make a calculator in Shapes. I will be using Inkscape but you could use anything you want.
First, make layers for shapes, paths, and the background.
Choose some colors. There are a lot of nice ones on Lospec. I found a nice palette called copper cut
Then, put the colors in the right place. Put shape colors in the left, path colors in the right, and background colors in the bottom.
Make a start shape. Every shapes program must have this.
Make an input shape to get the operation that will be done.
Convert input.
The arrow shaped shape converts characters to their code. The rest subtracts 42 from the character code. The hexagon prints it.
This will convert + to 1, - to 3, * to 0, and / to 5. Which makes it easier to work with later.
Connect the shapes. The start shape must be connected to one shape and the program will just stop if it meets a dead end.
When run, this will just get input and print the character code of the input subtracted by 42.
Make shapes for getting input numbers.
The swap shapes are there to keep the operation code on top of the stack.
tutorial in progress