The Falling Sand Simulation is a C++ project that uses the SDL2 library to implement an interactive simulation. It incorporates cellular automata principles to model the behavior of particles such as sand, water, honey, and concrete. Users can observe and interact with these particles, creating dynamic and realistic behaviors. This simulation provides an immersive and educational experience, allowing users to explore the interactions of particles in a virtual environment.
The application offers a debug mode that allows users to execute the simulation in a lower resolution, enabling them to analyze and observe the simulation frame by frame. By pressing the left arrow key, users can fast-forward the simulation.
Users can switch between different elements by pressing keys 1, 2, 3, and 4. The available elements include:
- Sand
- Water
- Honey
- Concrete
Based on user feedback and further development, the following features and improvements are planned for future updates:
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Gas Element: Introduce a gas element that exhibits behavior such as expansion and diffusion.
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Fire Element: Implement a fire element that spreads and consumes other elements, with realistic fire dynamics.
- Gravity: Add the effect of gravity to elements, enabling them to fall or sink based on their density.
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Multithreading: Optimize the simulation using multithreading techniques to enhance performance and efficiency.
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Stack Memory Execution: Improve memory management and execution efficiency by utilizing stack memory where applicable.
- Enhanced Liquid Color Fade-In: Enhance the liquid color fade-in effect to include gradual color transitions, providing a visually appealing and realistic representation.
- Crash Outside Application Screen: Fix the issue causing crashes when drawing outside the application screen boundaries.
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HSV Color Changes: Implement HSV color changes for elements, allowing users to create a broader range of colors and visual effects.
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Save and Load Grids: Enable users to save and load simulation grids, allowing them to preserve and revisit their creations.
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Custom Element Creation: Provide functionality for users to create custom elements with unique properties and behaviors.
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Fluid Mixing: Allow users to mix different fluid elements to create new elements with distinct colors and properties.
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Post-processing Methods: Implement post-processing methods to enhance visual effects and create stunning simulations.
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Clone Points: Introduce clone points where pressing the space bar spawns a new element of the currently selected type, enabling users to duplicate elements effortlessly.