#Project 3 Proposal#

##General Problem##

How to best simulate complex flocking behaviors in a real time graphics application.

##Short Term Goal##

My short term goal is to understand the general techniques involved in generating real time flocking behavior with autonomous agents. I plan to read the original paper published by Renolds on this topic and some related background on his website. Then I will implement a simple flocking simulation to assure that I really understand the underlying concepts. 

##The Bigger Picture##

Once I have gotten as far as a basic understanding and a simple implementation, I will dig into the more interesting subject of how flocking can be used to do larger scale simulations in real time. I will probably pursue something related to simulation of crowds of people or more interestingly constrained flocks. My final product will probably be an implementation of some sort of larger scale or more complex simulation.

##Plan of Attack##

1. Read through the boids paper and related material. 
2. Implement a simple simulation with birds that fly around and flock but have no other significant constraints.
3. Talk to Yu-Chi about his work related to this area.
4. Read through two or three more advanced papers.
5. Implement a more complex simulation.

##Intended Readings##

So far I have a few readings that I managed to scrounge up. I intend to talk to Yu-chi when I am searching for one or two more advanced readings.

1. Flocks, Herds, and Schools: A Distributed Behavior Model. Craig W. Reynolds.
2. Additional boids related information from Reynods' website.
3. Social Force Model for Pedestrian Dynamics. Dirk Helbing and Peter Molnar.
4. I am considering reading Constrained Animation by Matt Anderson, Eric McDaniel, and Stephen Chenney, but will first confirm with Yu-Chi that it is sufficiently related to what I am trying to do.
5. Hopefully one or two more from Yu-Chi.