Abstract
We present a program for Matlab that quickly generates Attneave-style random polygons and families of similar polygons. The function allows a great deal of user control over various aspects of the shape generation process. It also has the ability to detect and eliminate shapes that do not match a variety of user-entered parameters regarding the lengths of the shapes’ sides, vertex angles, and topological form. The function eliminates the time-consuming task of generating such shapes by hand and should allow their broader use in behavioral research. The Matlab script function can be downloaded at www.dal.ca/ ~mcmullen/downloads.html.
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This work was supported by grants from the Fonds pour la Formation de Chercheurs et l’Aide à la Recherche to C.A.C. and from the Human Frontiers Science Program (RG0161/1999-B,P. McMullen PI) to P.A.M.
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Collin, C.A., McMullen, P.A. Using Matlab to generate families of similar Attneave shapes. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers 34, 55–68 (2002). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195424
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195424