Cellular Automata for Processing

This library allows you to make art in Processing using cellular automata. See Conway's Game of Life for an example of a well known cellular automaton.

Get Started

1. Install Processing
2. Download the latest automata.zip
3. Extract the zip file to the "libraries" sub-folder of your Processing documents folder
4. Launch Processing, go to File → Examples, and browse the Cellular Automata examples

Usage

// Import the library
import com.grough.automata.*;

// Create your own animation by extending the base class.
// Choose a data type for your cells. In this case we use Boolean.
class MyAnimation extends Automaton<Boolean> {

  // Populate the initial cell values.
  Boolean populate() {
    return random(0, 1) < 0.5;
  }

  // Calculate the next cell value based on the previous cell value.
  Boolean evolve() {
    if (random(0, 1) < 0.1) {
      return self();
    } else {
      return !self();
    }
  }

  // Assign the cell a color based on its value.
  int shade() {
    return self() ? 0 : 255;
  }
}

MyAnimation animation = new MyAnimation();

void setup() {
  size(640, 640);
}

void draw() {
  // Advance to the next animation frame each time we draw.
  animation.next();

  // Draw the animation's graphics on the screen.
  image(animation.graphics(), 0, 0, 640, 640);
}