Grid Magic

$87.99, Windows

Teaches: creativity, math, art

CTR Review

Billed as the "mathematical way to create brilliant computer artwork", this product is available only via Internet download. It's similar to programs we've seen before like Tessellation Exploration, where children are provided with tools that let them create a simple design and then manipulate it to develop interesting patterns. The building blocks of the various activities and special effects are the "tiles" that kids create whose starting points coordinate pairs on a grid. Then, through manipulation of color, line, directionality and rotation, the tiles are transformed into elaborate designs. Unfortunately, the program is difficult to use and not at all child-friendly. Tutorials are available in PDF format, but we would have liked onscreen, animated help. This product is developed by Q4 Technologies in the U.K. Note that we could not get this program working on Microsoft Vista.