CODEWITHSUNDEEP
pythonturtle-graphicspython-turtle
zackBYE344
zackBYE344

Reputation: 63

Why Won't My shape Show Up in the Turtle Module

I am trying to create a Pong game, but when I create the paddle, it won't show up. How can I fix it? Here's my code:

import turtle

wm = turtle.Screen()
wm.title("Pong by Zachary Bye")
wm.bgcolor("black")
wm.setup(width=800, height=600)
wm.tracer(0)


#Paddle a
paddle_a = turtle.Turtle()
paddle_a.speed(0)
paddle_a.shape("square")
paddle_a.color("white")
paddle_a.shapesize
paddle_a.penup()
paddle_a.goto(-350,0)

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1047

Answers (2)

ggorlen
ggorlen

Reputation: 56965

Two problems:

  1. Some settings are initialized and the pen is lifted up but the paddle turtle never draws anything. So there's nothing to see. Try calling a drawing function like .stamp() to print something.

    Also, as a general note, make sure your turtle's location is within the window bounds when you do draw with it, although x at -350 should be fine here.

  2. The main turtle loop is never run. This builds the window and blocks the script from exiting until the window is closed. I usually use Screen().exitonclick() but something like Screen().mainloop() also works. This belongs at the end of the main code, although some platforms run the loop automatically.

from turtle import Screen, Turtle


screen = Screen()
screen.title("Pong by Zachary Bye")
screen.bgcolor("black")
screen.setup(width=800, height=600)
screen.tracer(0)

# Paddle a
paddle_a = Turtle()
paddle_a.speed(0)
paddle_a.shape("square")
paddle_a.color("white")
paddle_a.shapesize # this line does nothing
paddle_a.penup()
paddle_a.goto(-350,0)
paddle_a.stamp() # draw something
screen.exitonclick() # run the main turtle loop

Upvotes: 2

cdlane
cdlane

Reputation: 41872

when I create the paddle, it won't show up.

The reason is you invoked tracer(0) which says, "don't draw anything until I explicitly call update(). And then you didn't call update()! This is how I would write your code fragment:

from turtle import Screen, Turtle

screen = Screen()
screen.title("Pong by Zachary Bye")
screen.setup(width=800, height=600)
screen.bgcolor('black')
screen.tracer(0)

# Paddle a
paddle_a = Turtle()
paddle_a.shape('square')
paddle_a.color('white')
paddle_a.shapesize(5, 1)
paddle_a.penup()
paddle_a.setx(-350)

screen.update()
screen.mainloop()

My general rule is to avoid tracer() and update() until your code is basically working and you want to optimize the graphics.

Upvotes: 1

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