# Threads in processing.py?
**URL:** https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396
**Category:** Processing.py
**Created:** [May 19, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396 "2019-05-19T22:35:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@alexolotl](https://discourse.processing.org/u/alexolotl)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396/1 "2019-05-19T22:35:37Z")
Is it possible to use thread() in processing.py? I’m trying to asynchronously and dynamically load large images without interfering with the framerate or draw loop
I didn’t see any mention of thread() in the processing.py docs, I’m hoping there’s something similar
Thanks!
---
### Author:  [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2019, 3:38am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396/2 "2019-05-20T03:38:29Z")
> [@alexolotl](#):
>
> I didn’t see any mention of **thread()** in the processing.py docs,
Even though **thread()**: [thread() / Reference / Processing.org](http://Processing.org/reference/thread_.html)
Isn’t listed in Python Mode’s own reference: [Reference](http://Py.Processing.org/reference/)
AFAIK, it’s working alright on it nonetheless: 🥳
```auto
def setup():
thread('threaded')
exit()
def threaded():
print 'Worked!'
```
> [@alexolotl](#):
>
> I’m trying to asynchronously and dynamically load large images…
Processing already provides **requestImage()** for such demanding situation: 😉
> **[requestImage() \\ Language (API)](https://py.processing.org/reference/requestImage.html)**
>
> Python Mode for Processing extends the Processing Development Environment with the Python programming language.
---
### Author:  [@alexolotl](https://discourse.processing.org/u/alexolotl)
#### Post date: [May 26, 2019, 4:47am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396/3 "2019-05-26T04:47:53Z")
Oh amazing, will give the threads and requestImage() a try then. Thanks for the help!
---
### Author:  [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)
#### Post date: [May 26, 2019, 8:35am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396/4 "2019-05-26T08:35:55Z")
> [@alexolotl](#):
>
> , will give the **thread()** and **requestImage()** a try then.
**requestImage()** is already threaded. You don’t need both. 😉
---
### Author:  [@alexolotl](https://discourse.processing.org/u/alexolotl)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396/5 "2019-06-04T03:19:55Z")
I’ve given both requestImage() and thread() a go - requestImage() seems to be working well for me, but I’m having a bit of confusion over why thread() is drastically slowing down my framerate (when being used to process an offscreen pGraphics)
I made a little test script, where I’m using a thread which is triggered by a mouse click. The thread updates a global pGraphics object by applying a pretty heavy blur, with a new blur value for each click.
The part that is confusing to me is that even though I’m doing this heavy lifting on a separate thread, it still crashes my framerate on each new blur.
I think my code should run with a copy and paste, if anyone is down to give it a go - I’m using the site lorempixel to get a placeholder 1000px by 1000px image, rather than local image files
```auto
pg = None
imgtest = requestImage('http://lorempixel.com/1000/1000',"jpg")
img_loaded = False
click_thread_running = False
frameRates = []
def setup():
size(1000,1000,P2D)
background(255,255,255)
fill(0)
textSize(18)
textAlign(CENTER)
def draw():
global img_loaded
# First check that initial thread requestImage has loaded
if img_loaded != True:
if imgtest.width > 0:
img_loaded = True
thread('click_thread')
pass
else:
background(255,255,255)
if pg and not click_thread_running:
pushMatrix()
translate(mouseX - pg.pixelWidth/2, mouseY - pg.pixelHeight/2)
image(pg,0,0)
popMatrix()
else:
draw_loader()
update_framerate_monitor()
def mousePressed():
if not click_thread_running:
thread('click_thread')
# this does some hefty blur processing on a large pGraphics in a separate thread
# ... but causes the framerate to go down?
def click_thread():
global pg
global click_thread_running
click_thread_running = True
if !pg:
pg = createGraphics(1500,1500)
pg.smooth(8)
pg.beginDraw()
pg.background(100,200,37)
pg.image(imgtest,40,40)
new_blur_val = int(25+random(15))
pg.filter(BLUR, new_blur_val)
fill(0)
pg.text("Blur Value: {}\nClick to apply a new blur to this global pg via a thread".format(new_blur_val), 750,780)
pg.endDraw()
click_thread_running = False
# Just to monitor framerate
def update_framerate_monitor():
global frameRates
if frameCount % 10 == 0:
frameRates.append(int(frameRate))
if len(frameRates) > 60:
frameRates.pop(0)
pushMatrix()
translate(80,10)
fill(255)
rect(0,0,80,80)
translate(10,10)
noFill()
beginShape()
for i,rate in enumerate(frameRates):
vertex(i+1,60-rate)
endShape()
popMatrix()
fill(0)
text(frameRate,30,30)
def draw_loader():
pushMatrix()
translate(width/2,height/2)
fill(255)
stroke(0)
pushMatrix()
translate(100.0*cos(frameCount/10.),100.0*sin(frameCount/10.))
rect(0,0,5,5)
popMatrix()
fill(0)
text('Large image blur processing on a thread...',0,0)
popMatrix()
```
---
### Author:  [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396/6 "2019-06-04T17:05:03Z")
> [@alexolotl](#):
>
> … I’m doing this heavy lifting on a separate thread, it still crashes my framerate on each new blur.
> [@Problems when trying to draw to a P3D PGraphics when called from a thread?](https://discourse.processing.org/t/problems-when-trying-to-draw-to-a-p3d-pgraphics-when-called-from-a-thread/6301/4):
>
> Although it’s pretty much a hack, here’s the workaround I’ve come up w/: crazy_face /\*\* \* Threaded PGraphics II (v1.0.1) \* GoToLoop (2018/Dec/07) \* \* https://Discourse.Processing.org/t/ \* problems-when-trying-to-draw-to-a-p3d-pgraphics- \* when-called-from-a-thread/6301/4 \* \* https://Forum.Processing.org/two/discussion/25799/ \* how-to-draw-a-rect-in-a-thread#Item\_2 \*/ static final int W = 250, H = 200, FPS = 10; Layer layer; void settings() { size(W, H, JAVA2D); smooth(3); } v…
---
### Author:  [@alexolotl](https://discourse.processing.org/u/alexolotl)
#### Post date: [June 5, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/threads-in-processing-py/11396/7 "2019-06-05T02:38:22Z")
Thanks! I will give that a try too