cbonsai

cbonsai is a bonsai tree generator, written in C using ncurses. It intelligently creates, colors, and positions a bonsai tree, and is entirely configurable via CLI options-- see usage. There are 2 modes of operation: static (the default), and live. See modes for details.

cbonsai is always looking for ideas for improvement- feel free to open an issue if you've got an idea or a bug!

Installation

Arch Linux (AUR)

AUR user nichobi has kindly packaged cbonsai in the AUR, called cbonsai-git. It can be installed via an AUR helper, e.g. yay:

yay -S cbonsai-git

Homebrew

brew install mhzawadi/cbonsai/<formula>

Or brew tap mhzawadi/cbonsai and then brew install <formula>.

brew help, man brew or check Homebrew's documentation.

Manual

You'll need to have a working ncurses library. If you're on a Debian-based system, you can install ncurses like so:

sudo apt install ncurses

Ensure dependencies are met, then to install:

git clone https://gitlab.com/jallbrit/cbonsai
cd cbonsai
make install

Usage

Usage: cbonsai [OPTION]...

cbonsai is a beautifully random bonsai tree generator.

Options:
  -l, --live             live mode: show each step of growth
  -t, --time=TIME        in live mode, wait TIME secs between
                           steps of growth (must be larger than 0) [default: 0.03]
  -i, --infinite         infinite mode: keep growing trees
  -w, --wait=TIME        in infinite mode, wait TIME between each tree
                           generation [default: 4.00]
  -S, --screensaver      screensaver mode; equivalent to -li and
                           quit on any keypress
  -m, --message=STR      attach message next to the tree
  -b, --base=INT         ascii-art plant base to use, 0 is none
  -c, --leaf=LIST        list of comma-delimited strings randomly chosen
                           for leaves
  -M, --multiplier=INT   branch multiplier; higher -> more
                           branching (0-20) [default: 5]
  -L, --life=INT         life; higher -> more growth (0-200) [default: 32]
  -p, --print            print tree to terminal when finished
  -s, --seed=INT         seed random number generator
  -v, --verbose          increase output verbosity
  -h, --help             show help

Modes

Static

static mode is the default: the user only sees the final, completed tree as a picture.

Live

live mode displays each "step" of growth and waits a little bit, so that the user can watch the tree being grown step by step.

How it Works

cbonsai starts by drawing the base onto the screen, which is basically just a static string of characters. To generate the actual tree, cbonsai uses a ~~bunch of if statements~~ homemade algorithm to decide how the tree should grow every step. Shoots to the left and right are generated as the main trunk grows. As any branch dies, it branches out into a bunch of leaves.

cbonsai has rules for which character and color it should use for each tiny branch piece, depending on things like what type of branch it is and what direction it's facing.

The algorithm is tweaked to look best at the default size, so larger sized trees may not be as bonsai-like.

Inspiration

This project wouldn't be here if it weren't for its roots! cbonsai is a newer version of bonsai.sh, which was written in bash and was itself a port of this bonsai tree generator written in javascript.

jpfeuffer/homebrew-cbonsai