Particle Simulation

This project is a particle simulation built in C++ using SDL2 for graphical rendering. It creates visually dynamic patterns by simulating the motion of particles on the screen. The patterns are affected by trigonometric functions and configurable variables, providing opportunities for creative exploration.

Features

• Particle-based simulation with dynamic movement.
• Smooth animations using SDL2.
• Configurable parameters that alter particle motion patterns.

Requirements

To build and run this project, ensure you have the following installed:

• C++17 or later
• SDL2 (Simple DirectMedia Layer library)

File Structure

The project consists of the following key files:

• main.cpp: Entry point of the application, handles the main simulation loop and rendering.
• Screen.h and Screen.cpp: Responsible for managing the screen and drawing pixels.
• Swarm.h and Swarm.cpp: Manages the collection of particles and updates their state.
• Particle.h and Particle.cpp: Defines the behavior and properties of individual particles.

Installation and Setup

1. Install SDL2 development libraries:

   • On Ubuntu/Debian:

     sudo apt-get install libsdl2-dev

   • On macOS (using Homebrew):

     brew install sdl2

   • On Windows:
     • Download and install SDL2 from libsdl.org.

2. Clone the repository:

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd <repository-folder>

3. Compile the project:

   g++ -std=c++17 -o ParticleSimulation main.cpp Swarm.cpp Particle.cpp Screen.cpp -lSDL2 -lm

4. Run the application:

   ./ParticleSimulation

Usage

• The application displays dynamic patterns created by particle movements.
• Changing variable values in Swarm.cpp or Particle.cpp can alter the patterns:
  • Modify speed and direction in Particle.cpp to control particle behavior.
  • Adjust color transitions in main.cpp for different visual effects.

Libraries Used

• SDL2: For graphics rendering.
• Standard C++ libraries: iostream, cmath, cstdlib.

Key Configurable Variables

• Particle::m_speed: Affects particle velocity.
• Particle::m_direction: Governs the direction of particle motion.
• Color variables in main.cpp: Change the RGB values for particle colors.

Example Visualization

This simulation generates vibrant, evolving particle patterns like these:

Author

Lucas Relva
São Paulo, Brazil