L-systems were conceived as a mathematical framework for modeling growth of plants. L-Py is a simulation software that mixes L-systems construction with the Python high-level modeling language.
In addition to this software module, an integrated visual development environment has been developed that facilitates the creation of plant models. In particular, easy to use optimization tools have been integrated. Thanks to Python and its modular approach, this framework makes it possible to integrate a variety of tools defined in different modeling context, in particular tools from the OpenAlea platform. Additionally, it can be integrated as a simple growth simulation module into more complex computational pipelines.
L-Py is released under a CeCILL license, which is compatible to the GNU GPL.
Examples of models created with L-Py. Images credits: C. Godin, J. Chopard, F. Boudon. Models credits: C. Godin, F. Boudon, F. Normand, I. Grechi, E. Costes, M. Beziz, Y. Caraglio et al.
L-Py distribution is based on the conda software environment management system.
To install conda, you may refer to its installation page: https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/install/
To install L-Py, you need to create an environment (named for instance lpy) :
>>> conda create -n lpy openalea.lpy -c fredboudon -c conda-forgeThe package openalea.lpy is retrieved from the fredboudon channel (developement) and its dependencies will be taken from conda-forge channel.
Then, you need to activate the L-Py environment
>>> conda activate lpyAnd then run L-Py
>>> lpyDocumentation is available at http://lpy.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
A previous version of the documentation was also available on OpenAlea website
Please open an Issue if you need support or you run into any error (Installation, Runtime, etc.). We'll try to resolve it as soon as possible.
L-Py was mainly developped by Frédéric Boudon with different contributions from Christophe Godin, Christophe Pradal et al.
If you find our work useful in your research, please consider citing:
- Boudon, T. Cokelaer, C. Pradal, P. Prusinkiewicz and C. Godin, L-Py: an L-system simulation framework for modeling plant architecture development based on a dynamic language, Frontiers in Plant Science, 30 May 2012.