How can I create an image like this

Question

I'm trying to get an algorithm that generates a picture like this

So far I've tried a little something with the help of the knowledge center, getting a graphics grid of squares already. But what now? I'm completely in the dark on how to trim it in the circle-shape I want. (If there are better solutions out there, please forget what I have started with. My only goal is to get the end result where I can make a pattern like this with variable size in terms of diameter in squares, size of the squares themselves and spacing in between.)

size = 10;
scalesize = 1;
table1 = Table[Graphics[Rectangle[]], {size}, {size}];

GraphicsGrid[table1, Frame -> None, Spacings -> Scaled[scalesize]]

Answer 1

The only thing you need for the underlying data is DiskMatrix. The rest of the visualization can be chosen freely:

ArrayPlot[ArrayPad[DiskMatrix[7], 1], ColorFunction -> GrayLevel, 
 Mesh -> All, MeshStyle -> Directive[Thickness[.02], Black]]

Answer 2

Here is an example using graphics primitives. It has some nice flexibility.

radius = 6.5;
sidelength = 0.6;
xy = Flatten[
   Table[{x, y}, {x, -2 radius, 2 radius}, {y, -2 radius, 2 radius}], 
   1];
inside = Select[xy, EuclideanDistance[#, {0, 0}] <= radius &];
shape[center_, a_] := {White, Rectangle[center - a/2, center + a/2]}
Graphics[shape[#, sidelength] & /@ inside, Background -> Black]

Based on other answers it is simpler and more elegant to replace Table, Select and EuclideanDistance with DiskMatrix making a nice little one-liner

Graphics[{White, Rectangle[# - 0.3, # + 0.3]} & /@ Position[DiskMatrix[6], 1], Background -> Black]

Let's redefine the shape function:

shape[center_,a_] := {White, Disk[center, a/2]}
Graphics[shape[#, sidelength] & /@ inside, Background -> Black]

and again:

starcoords := 
  With[{r = RandomReal[Pi]}, 
   Table[{Cos[t + r], Sin[t + r]}, {t, 0, 4 Pi, 4 Pi/5}]/3];
shape[center_] := {White, Polygon[center + # & /@ starcoords]}
Graphics[shape /@ inside, Background -> Black]

Answer 3

Here is an answer using image processing techniques rather than graphics, that is also very flexible. Create an array of dots at the centers of all the shapes:

dots = Image[Upsample[DiskMatrix[8], 20, 10]];

and then convolve with the desired shape. The shape is then replicated throughout the image. For the requested box:

ImageConvolve[dots, BoxMatrix[5]]

Any shape will do: here is how to stick a cross at each dot.

ImageConvolve[dots, CrossMatrix[5]]

Borrowing cormullion's idea of making it interactive:

Manipulate[dots = Image[Upsample[DiskMatrix[6], 20, 10]]; 
  ImageConvolve[dots, neighborhood[radius]],
  {neighborhood, {IdentityMatrix, DiskMatrix, BoxMatrix, CrossMatrix, 
      DiamondMatrix, GaussianMatrix}}, {radius, 1, 21, 1}]

Answer 4

I tried to make a Manipulate, but there are some errors in this code due possibly to rounding errors which I haven't tracked down:

Manipulate[
 Graphics[{
    White,
    Table[
     Rectangle[{x, y}, {x + space, y + space} ], {y, 1, n, step}, {x, 
      1, n, step}]
    }, Background -> Black] /. 
  Rectangle[{x_, y_}, {x1_, 
      y1_}] /; (n/2 - Norm[x, x + step + space])^2 + (n/2 - 
         Norm[y, y + step + space])^2 > radius :> {Black, 
    Rectangle[{x, y}, {x1, y1}]},
 {n, 10, 100, 2},
 {space, 1, step},
 {step, 5, 10, 1},
 {radius, 1, 1000}
 ]