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Neon Boids

A simulation of flocking behavior based on Craig Reynolds' Boids (Bird-oid objects) algorithm from 1986.

1. The Three Rules

Complex group behavior emerges from three simple rules applied to every dot:

• Separation: "Steer to avoid crowding particles nearby."
• Alignment: "Steer towards the average heading of particles nearby."
• Cohesion: "Steer to move towards the average position (center of mass) of particles nearby."

2. Emergence

None of the boids know where the group is going. They only look at their neighbors. Yet, they form liquid-like swarms, split around obstacles, and reform.

3. Modes

Click the buttons to tweak the weights of the rules:

• Classic: Balanced rules.
• Insect: High separation/jitter.
• Ether: High alignment, low friction.
• Panic: Extreme separation (social distancing).