Generative

Flock

Three local rules, no leader — and the flock agrees on a course by itself.

Flock: a generative effect on the built-in sample photograph. Computed on your machine right now.
Open Flock in the studio

Controls

sky
A number from 64 to 320, 200 by default.
birds
A number from 60 to 700, 260 by default.
steps
A number from 20 to 240, 130 by default.
radius
How far a bird sees its neighbours. The one knob that sets how large the flocks are
personal
Closer than this a neighbour is a nuisance. The ratio to sight decides tight flocks or loose
agility
How sharply a bird can turn per step. Without a limit the flock never agrees on a course
cohere
Pull towards the others. Too much and the flock collapses into a knot
align
Hold a common course. This rule is what turns a crowd into a stream
flee
Push away from the nearest. Too much and the flock never settles
start
One of: scatter, skein.
width
A number from 0.2 to 3 pixels, 0.6 by default.
opacity
A number from 0.05 to 1, 0.35 by default.
ink
A colour, #f5f2ea by default.
paper
A colour, #10131a by default.

Starting points

Nearby in Generative