Algorithms for making interesting organic simulations

Algorithms for making interesting organic simulations

The purpose of this article is to explain techiques that enabled me to make simulations like the one below, along with a lot of other organic looking things. We will focus on algorithmic techniques for artistic purpose rather than scientific meaning.

1. Physarum algorithm from Jeff Jones (2010)

Jeff Jones presented a simulation algorithm that reproduces the behavior of organisms such as Physarum polycephalum. It is explained in this paper.

Results typically look like this: (source: screenshots from implementation by Amanda Ghassaei)

General principle

The basic idea is that particles (also called agents) move around, leaving a trail behind them and trying to follow the trails they detect.

Below is an interactive explanation of a single agent, without representing the trail update. Please don't mind the glitch after slider change :)

Detailed description of the algorithm

A large number of agents move in a 2D space.

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