UE4Boids

This is a simple, multithreaded boid implementation based on http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/. During the update phase the forward vector of all boids are being adjusted and moved accordingly.

Written in UE4.23.1, StarterContent is required.

Configuration File

The executable can be configured via the following options. It's located in %appdata%\Local\Boids\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor\Boids.ini. The file may not exist, you can use the values below when creating it. (If the folder is missing, start the packaged executable once)

[/Script/Boids.BoidSpawner]
SpawnCount=500

[/Script/Boids.BoidManager]
AmountOfThreads=2

• SpawnCount Amount of boids to spawn
• AmountOfThreads The amount of threads to create and use for calculating positional updates

Classes

Boid

Implementation of a single Boid.

Settings

• Amount of Boids to Observe Max amount of boids to take into account for next calculation
• Forward Speed Speed at which the boid is moving
• Turn Speed Speed at which the boid is turning
• Close Boid Distance Cut Off Max distance for another boid to this boid to be taken into account for next calculation

BoidManager

Manages all boids available in the scene. Ticks and calls the boids move functions. Creates BoidCalculationWorker and assigns them their boids.

Settings

• Active Should boids be updated
• Amount Of Threads The amount of threads to create and use for calculating positional updates (BoidCalculationWorker)
• Boids Follow Target Do boids try to reach the BoidTarget or are free to roam
• Separation Weight Weight of Separation, see http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/
• Alignment Weight Weight of Alignment, see http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/
• Cohesion Weight Weight of Cohesion, see http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/
• Target Weight Weight of trying to reach the target

BoidTarget

The target in the scene the boids try to reach.

BoidSpawner

Spawns boids according to its settings on BeginPlay.

Settings

• Active Should spawn boids (boids can be added to the scene at any time)
• Class to Spawn Boid implementation class
• Spawn Count Amount of boids to spawn
• Spawn Radius Radius around the spawners location to spawn boids at

BoidCalculationWorker

Calculates the rotation for its assigned boids. Boids are assigned via the BoidManager. FRunnable implementation.