A while ago, I created a Python program called LocationFinder, which helps users track the general location of a device based on an IP address, phone number, or even a URL. The whole thing runs in the command line, and while the functionality is solid, the visual presentation feels a bit... bland. Recently, I started thinking about enhancing the command-line aesthetic of the program by adding ASCII art—maybe a splash screen with a cool logo, stylized text, or even some simple ASCII animations. The idea is to make the experience more engaging and, down the line, use that as a foundation for a more graphical interface (maybe with Tkinter, PyQt, or even Kivy, who knows). The problem is—I’m not sure where to start. Specifically, I’m looking for: Python libraries or modules that can help create or render ASCII art (including fonts, symbols, or graphics). Any tools or modules that allow for simple CLI animations using ASCII (e.g., loading effects, moving text, blinking cursors). Best practices or examples of how ASCII elements are integrated into command-line tools to enhance UX without overwhelming the terminal. I’ve seen things like pyfiglet and art, but I’d love to hear if there are more modern or creative options out there. I'm on a Windows machine so let's only focus on that. Thanks in advance! Any advice or inspiration would seriously make my day. stormythunder4K I haven’t implemented anything yet—I wanted to explore the available options before diving in. Rather than rush into a specific module and end up rewriting everything later, I’m trying to understand what the most commonly used (and most flexible) tools are for rendering ASCII art or simple animations in the terminal. This way, I can pick the right library from the start and avoid unnecessary refactoring. What I’m Expecting / Hoping For: Ideally, I’d love to find something that: Lets me render ASCII text or logos easily (e.g., a banner at startup). Can support some kind of basic animation (like a loading spinner, blinking text, or pulsing effects). Is easy to integrate into a CLI workflow and plays nice with other output. Works on Windows (it could also work on other platforms in case I deploy LocationFinder one day). I’m open to both minimalistic and more powerful options—bonus if they can eventually be tied into a GUI when I level up the project. Continue reading...
