The Flocking Algorithm
Flocking is the natural behaviour visible when a group of agents, called a flock, are foraging or in flight.
The set of rules that stand behind this behaviour can also generally be applied to the “flocking” behaviour of other species. As a result, the term “flocking” is sometimes applied, in computer science, to species other than birds.
It is considered an emergent behaviour arising from simple rules that are followed by individuals and does not involve any central coordination.
In the next pages the main rules we learned to control and customise during the workshop are summarised
Mostapha El Sayed - Hanjun Kim 3 WS 2 2 Eroding Behaviours
4 5
Workshop II Workshop II
The Flocking Algorithm
The Flocking Algorithm
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding Behaviours
Dec 2022 Dec 2022
Eroding Behaviours
Base Rules
Base Rules
(our customised code lines in purple)
2D Studies
Base Rules
Mostapha El Sayed - Hanjun Kim 7 6 Workshop II
The Flocking Algorithm
Dec 2022
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Eroding Behaviours
C#
Workshop II Workshop II
Our experimentation in search for emergent patterns starts from basic geometrical concepts
The simple starting shape is tested together with additional perceptive analogs in order to understand how different starting position can show similar trajectories
Dec 2022
Our experimentation in search for emergent patterns starts from basic geometrical concepts
The simple starting shape is tested together with additional perceptive analogs in order to understand how different starting position can show similar trajectories
Our experimentation in search for emergent patterns starts from basic geometrical concepts
The simple starting shape is tested together with additional perceptive analogs in order to understand how different starting position can show similar trajectories
8 9
2D Studies
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding Behaviours Dec 2022
Initial Explorations Initial Explorations
Clearer central symmetries in the patterns, compared to triangular starting point
Populating on broader areas creates more branching
Additional effect of the bouncing to create
10 11 Workshop II Workshop II
Behaviours Eroding Behaviours Dec 2022 Dec 2022 Agent Attractor Repeller Fixed settings Agent Speed Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation Distance Separation Strenght Alignment Strenght Cohesion Strenght Repeller Strenght Rep Max Dist Rep Min Dist
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Eroding
Agent Attractor Repeller Fixed settings Agent Speed Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Attractor Strength Attr Max Distance Attr Min Distance Repeller Strength Rep Max Distance Rep Min Distance
Initial
Initial Explorations
Explorations
Additional population in the center not affected by repellers – can provide additional strenght to the trail
Workshop II
Workshop II
12 13
2D Studies 2D Studies
Eroding Behaviours Eroding Behaviours Dec 2022 Dec 2022 Fixed settings Agent Speed Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation Distance Separation Strength Alignment Strength Cohesion Strength Agent Attractor Repeller -Att Strength: 500 -Att Max Dis: 40 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Rep Strength: 200 -Rep Max Dis: 8 -Rep Min Dis: 1 -Att Strength: 500 -Att Max Dis: 40 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Rep Strength: 100 -Rep Max Dis: 8 -Rep Min Dis: 1 -Att Strength: 500 -Att Max Dis: 40 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Rep Strength: / -Rep Max Dis: / -Rep Min Dis: -Att Strength: 500 -Att Max Dis: 40 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Rep Strength: 50 -Rep Max Dis: 8 -Rep Min Dis: 1 Strenght of repellers
of repellers
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Affecting range
Agent Attractor Repeller Fixed settings Agent Speed Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation Distance Separation Strength Alignment Strength Cohesion Strength Interesting contrast between final attractor location and starting directionality Size – Range – Position of repellers and attractors as elements of patterning -Att Strength: 1 -Att Max Dis: 55 -Att Min Dis: 1 - Initial directionality -Att Strength: 1 -Att Max Dis: 40 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Dislocated attractor -Att Strength: 75 -Att Max Dis: 55 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Rep Strength: 75 -Rep Max Dis: 8 -Rep Min Dis: 1 -Att Strength: 75 -Att Max Dis: 55 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Rep Strength: 100 -Rep Max Dis: 15 -Rep Min Dis: 1 -Att Strength: 100 -Att Max Dis: 40 -Att Min Dis: 1 -Rep Strength: 50 -Rep Max Dis: 8 -Rep Min Dis: 1 Initial Explorations Initial Explorations
PARAMETER STUDY
AGENTS PINBALL
14 15
2D Studies 2D Studies
Workshop II Workshop II
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding
Eroding
Dec 2022 Dec 2022
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Behaviours
Behaviours
Branching testing Fixed settings Agent Speed Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation Distance Separation Strength Alignment Strength Cohesion Strength Attractors and Repeller sets Agent Attractor Repeller
& Repulsion Fixed settings Agent Speed Agent Population Boundary Size Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation Distance Separation Strength Alignment Strength Cohesion Strength
and Repeller sets Agent Attractor
Attraction
Attractors
DIRECTIONALITY
16 17
2D Studies 2D Studies
Workshop II Workshop II
Eroding Behaviours Eroding Behaviours Dec 2022 Dec 2022 PATTERN STUDY 01 Aligned Testing Fixed settings Agent Speed Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation Distance Separation Strength Alignment Strength Cohesion Strength Attractors and Repeller sets Agent Attractor Repeller Agent Attractor Repeller
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Fixed settings Agent Speed Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation Distance Separation Strength Alignment Strength Cohesion Strength Attractors and Repeller sets
Studies
Studies
STUDY
Pattern
Directionality
and Repeller sets Combinig lessons learned from pattern, directionality and parameters studies.
Combinig lessons learned from pattern, directionality and parameters studies.
At the end of the 2D experimentation a system of gradients has also been explored, speculating on a subsequent possible outcome in the 3D space
18 19
2D Studies 2D Studies
Workshop II Workshop II
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Dec 2022 Dec 2022 Agent
Combinations Fixed
Agent
Boundary Strength Neighbor Boundary Separation
Separation Strength Alignment Strength Cohesion
Attractors
Combinations Fixed
Agent
Boundary
Neighbor
Separation
Separation
Alignment
Cohesion
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Eroding Behaviours Eroding Behaviours
Attractor
settings
Speed
Distance
Strength
Repeller Agent Attractor
settings
Speed
Strength
Boundary
Distance
Strength
Strength
Strength Attractors and Repeller sets
Repeller Final Simulations Final Simulations
3D Studies
WS 2 20 Eroding Behaviours
22 23
Workshop II
3D Studies 3D Studies
Workshop II
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding Behaviours
Dec
Dec
Pattern Studies
Pattern Studies
Eroding Behaviours
2022
2022 Dodging
Dodging
24 25
Workshop II
3D
3D
Workshop II
Studies
Studies
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding Behaviours
Dec
Dec
Eroding Behaviours
2022
2022 Global Rule; Spin Force Global Rule; Spin Force
Test C - Acceleration
Repeller
Attractor
Eroding Behaviours
Adding parameters to Individual agents instead of global behavior_Acceleration Having agents with different speed can create layering effect or spear -shaped form. Velocity Vector multiplied by Acceleration Vector ’s magnitude
Variables: Neighbor Boundary
26 27
Workshop II
3D
3D
Workshop II
Studies
Studies
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding Behaviours
Dec
Dec
2022
2022 Global Rule; Spin Force Local Rule; Acceleration Force
Constant Speed Behavior
Flock behavior with one-direction velocity
Constant Acceleration Behavior
Constant Speed Behavior
Flock behavior with one-direction velocity
Adding Acceleration, updating the speed
Constant Acceleration Behavior
Adding Acceleration, updating the speed
Adding Acceleration (local) and observing the change of pattern and behavior (Global)
A color range indicating the agent’s speed based on position. Blue indicating slower agents and Red indicating the faster.
Eroding Behaviours
Different group sizes as Starting points
Four groups in different size accelerated according to flock size.
Local Rule; Acceleration Force
Coordinates as Starting points
Two planes moving with delay creating intertwined pattern.
Neighbor-based Acceleration
Maximum Range of Neighbors Applied
Maximum Range of Neighbors Applied
Waves and Branches
The Smaller the group (fewer Neighbors) the Faster. Having a min and max range, creating multiple waves based on the number of neighbors.
Eroding Behaviours
Branching from Within
The Larger the group (more Neighbors) the Faster. The corners with fewer neighbors and the center with more, causing different speeds in one flock.
Local Rule; Acceleration Force
28 29
3D Studies 3D Studies
Workshop II Workshop II
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Dec
Dec
2022
2022
Scene
Scene
Scene
Scene
Scene
2 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4
5
3 Scene 6 Scene 7
Scene 3 Scene 3 Scene 2 Scene 2 Scene 1 Scene 1
- Vertical Flock - Horizontal Flock
Privious 2D experiments with range affecting the flow and pattern.
Phase of Branching
Showing effects on the Final pattern and behavior
Segmenting the environment into pieces with different acceleration vectors based on distance.
Local Rule; Acceleration Force
Dividing the tunnel into three segments with different acceleration.
Pink Planes representing increase in acceleration and white decrease in acceleration.
The chosen 2D pattern from previous experiments based on branching capacity and diversity and rearranging it in the 3D environment.
Horizontal Flow in Grid-Based Extruded Frame
Vertical Flow in Grid-Based Extruded Frame
Horizontal Flow in Grid-Based Extruded Wide Tunnel
Vertical Flow in Grid-Based Extruded Surface
Difining the boundries; Adding a pattern of attractors and repellers based on previous 2D experiments in Multiple layers with grid setting to various environments to analys the behaviour of the flock.
3D Boundaries Categorization
30 31 Workshop
II 3D Studies 3D Studies
II Workshop
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding Behaviours
Dec 2022 Dec 2022
Eroding Behaviours
Distance-based Acceleration
The Tunnel The Aquarium The Sandbox
Less control in case of directionality and observing similar patterns to 2D environments
Approaching the tested volume in a vertical manner and observing new patterns and behaviors. The flock’s reaction to dense attractor and repeller pattern prevents vast branching through the volume.
Rule; Acceleration Force
The Vein Less Separated Centralized Branching
The Lines Horizontal Alignment of the branches.
The Table 5-Point Concentrated Branching
The Multiple Hives Having Cohesive Flocks
Patterns in various depths of the volume from surface to the bottom are emerged according to a change of strength while a vertical wave of agents (the flock) face the setting of attractors and repellers and dodge in the redefined boundries.
The Sandbox Local Rule; Acceleration Force
- Vertical Flock
32 33
3D Studies 3D Studies
Workshop II Workshop II
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding
Eroding
Dec 2022 Dec 2022
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Behaviours
Behaviours
Initial Circular Pattern Cross-like Hives Toward Boundries
Branching on Surface Branching on sides Branching on sides Initial Waterfall Toward the center Resembling 2D Pattern
The Aquarium
Local
The Flower Branching over the Surface
The Reverse Pyramids Having an Endpoint for Branches
Dodged & Emerged
Flock high seperation resulting a pattern emerged from individual behaviour of agents.
Behavior of Two Various sizes of groups resulting in mixture of patterns in a single flock.
Symmetrical Behavior
Similar to 2D pattern experiments, the flock creating curves avoiding the center.
Branching through Flock’s decision to gather in large groups to avoid obstacles.
Patterns emerged from the dodging behaviour of agents in wider environment for horizontally moving flock. Multiple forms of branching with various initial decision of the flock.
The Sandbox Local Rule; Acceleration Force
- Horizontal Flock
Mostapha El Sayed - Hanjun Kim 35 34 Workshop II 3D Studies
Behaviours Dec 2022
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Eroding
Scene 1 Scene 1
Scene 1
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 2
Scene 2 Scene 2
3D Final
Materialisation
36 37
3D Final Materialisation 3D Final Materialisation
Workshop II Workshop II
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Eroding Behaviours
Dec 2022 Dec 2022
Eroding Behaviours
PointCloud Erosion Simulations
PointCloud Erosion Simulations
38 39
3D Final Materialisation 3D Final Materialisation
Workshop II Workshop II
Dec 2022 Dec 2022
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim
Eroding Behaviours Eroding Behaviours
PointCloud Erosion Simulations
Eroded
PointCloud Voxelisation
42 43
3D Final Materialisation 3D Final Materialisation
Workshop II Workshop II
Dec 2022 Dec 2022
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim Eroding Behaviours Eroding Behaviours
Feed-back Simulations Feed-back Simulations
Final experiments on weak boundaries
44 Workshop
3D Final Materialisation
II
Eroding Behaviours Dec 2022 Feed-back Simulations
Mustafa El Sayed Hanjun Kim