Flocking is the behaviour that emerges when group of moving entities follow some simple rules about how to behave based on neighbours.

This project allows the entities ("boids") to flock based on "instincts" which return desires of different strengths based on the environment. For example, if a boid has no neighbours, it won't have a strong impulse to stick with its neighbours. But as a boid nears the boundary of the screen, it will feel a stronger impulse to turn around. These desires are added up, weighted, and thus the boid chooses its velocity.

Open in IntelliJ, open com.malcolmcrum.flocking.Main, right click and Run.

Keyboard shortcuts are available in the upper left. You can toggle individual desires, view debug colours, and pause. Click a boid (easier when paused) to view information about its current desires.

• C to disable shaders and access debug options

https://giphy.com/gifs/processing-flocking-boids-3ohzdXYzIsmdw9KH3W/