Boids (Short for Birdoid)

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Experimental Programs

Faculty

Lynn S. Fichter

Steve J. Baedke

Will Frangos

Mailing Address:
Geology &
Environmental Science
MSC 7703
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Phone Contact:
540.568.6130

Updated: 08/19/2008

Craig Reyolds' Boids

In the lab/class we use a flexible, powerful, easy-to-use version called MatFa's Boids, written by Mattias Fagerlund. It is freeware, and for a long time Mattias had a web site from which it could be downloaded. That site has disappeared, but a version is still available at the Delphi32 link below. And, since it is freeware we are making it available to class members through the password protected page.

Download MatFa's Boids - must go through the password protected page; then to box on right.
Download MatFa's Boids - downloadable from Delphi32 as a self extracting zip file.

Craig Reynolds developed the Boids algorithm (short for Birdoid) in 1986 to simulate flocking/schooling behavior. The question was, just what is required to produce flocking behavior. In particular, who decides who the leader is, and what happens if the leader is lost (Answers: no one, and nothing). Instead the complex behavior stems from a few deceptively simple rules. Since 1986 numerous boid programs have been written, and applied to understanding many problems, such as traffic patterns.

Sites with Boid Applets (run online)

Craig Reynold's Applet - no controls, but descriptions of boid rules, and lots of links to Alife sites and program downloads.
Conrad Parker's Boids - a realistic woodland scene with a flock of birds flying and alighting; or at the beach; no controls, but nice to look at (home page for download).
Floys, i Floys, and e Floys - (pronounced "flow-eez"), these are carnivorous boids. Respectively the 3 applets are social/territorial creatures, individualistic Floys with assignable personality, and evolutionary Floys; also down loadable; neat!.
Steve's Aquarium - with online controls
Boids for Noids - with tuning controls, and the ability to place obstacles

Other sites to download Boid programs

Cool School by David Hooper- a very nice Boid program with schools of fish, predatory fish, and whales (numbers variable). Can be made into a wonderful screen saver.
Flocking - by Steve Grubb; visually nice and easy to use.
A-Quarium

Boid Rules - the sites below contain explanations of how the Boids work.

Boids - by Chris Boone and Sam Hillier; with examples from life.
Craig Reynolds
Steering Behaviors for Autonomous Behaviors - also Craig Reynolds, but more technical.
Rules for Flocking
Scientific American Article on Boids - pdf file of article

Craig Reyolds' Boids

GO GET:

MatFa's Boids - password protected

MatFa's Boids - From Delphi32

Flocking - by Steve Grubb