emFlock v.1.1Type:
1st Version:
Actual Version:
Compatibility:
Note: emFlock 1.xx is no longer the most up-to-date flocking solver for Softimage|XSI. Please check out the new emFlock2 !
ICE node
July 2010
1.1 (October 2010)
Softimage 2010 SP1 and above
Windows: 32 bit and 64 bit versions
Linux: 64 bit version
emFlock is a basic flocking simulator.
The plug-in consists of a multithreaded "DLL" file (Windows) or "so" file (Linux) for the flocking solver node (compiled C++ code for 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Softimage|XSI). Additionally, there are several compounds that come along.
emFlock is well integrated into ICE and can be combined with the built-in ICE compounds like "Flow along Curve", "Forces", "Bounce from Surface", etc.
The Flocking Rules
This plugin uses the classic three "ground rules" when it comes to simulate flocking behavior:
- Separation will prevent the members from crowding and colliding.
- Alignement will make each member adapt its heading to the average heading of its visible neighbors.
- Cohesion will make each member want to go to the average position of its visible neighbors.
For instance the little animation above is a very primitive setup, the 2200 cubes are emitted and then do nothing more than to follow the above rules. The flocking simulation is fast, too, the point cloud with the 2200 particles is simulated in real time with about 25 fps, depending on what kind of CPU the computer has.
With an i7 and a 64 bit OS it is no problem to create flocking simulations with 100.000 or more particles (not in real time, though).
All the internal data of the emFlock plugin is exposed and can be used for all sorts of stuff.
The other Team Members
The emFlock node is of course the main feature of this plugin, but there are also some other interesting compounds included in the emFlock package:
- emFlock __ Asteroids
a cool compound that prevents particles from leaving a given area. - emFlock __ Align Orientation
aligns the orientation of particles with an additional up vector functionality that doesn't flip. - emFlock __ Fly towards Area
sort of a "move towards goal", except that the goal is not a point but a disc. - et cetera perge, perge
and a few more little compounds and tools that can come in handy.
The ZIP file containing the demo version can be downloaded here:
download emFlock demo version (version 1.1).
The ZIP file containing XSI demo and tutorial scenes can be downloaded here:
download demo and tutorial scenes (version 1.1).
To take a look at the online documentation:
emFlock online documentation (version 1.1).
To purchase the full version of emFlock please click on the following link:
Order emFlock for ICE
If for some reason you have problems with the above link you can also contact me directly.
Note: The examples are in reverse order (the newest come first).
3. "Pretty ugly Worms (based on the demo scene emFlock_Aquarium2.scn" 1.100 particles, ICE Tree evaluates in real-time (about 55 fps) with an i7 CPU.
Rendering done with Arnold in 1024x576.
2. "Just flocking around" 17.500 particles, ICE Tree evaluates with about 8 fps with an i7 CPU.
Ambient Occlusion + Motion Blur Pass rendered with Arnold in 1024x576 (about 18 sec. per frame with an i7 CPU).
1. "Pulsating Chaos" 750.000 particles, ICE Tree evaluates with less than a second per frame with an i7 CPU.
Ambient Occlusion Pass rendered with Arnold in 1024x576 (about 15 sec. per frame with an i7 CPU).
First a usefull link: emFlock online documentation (version 1.1).
Please note that the online documentation (as well as this whole web site is best viewed with Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer 8. Latter is especially important if you want to view the online documentation in XSI's Net View.
Remarks:
-this plug-in runs fine with Softimage 2010 Service Pack 1 and above.
