system exploration

In this step the focus was on the search for greater interaction between the agents and the material deposited by them. This has resulted in more complicated and various structures.
Once again we are studied two different systems: the first having its origin at ground level, and the second vertically suspended.

Bottom up growth:

Stigmergy for bottom up growth from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

Some growth steps:

Hanging structure:

Stigmergy for hanging structure: more interaction between agents and deposited material from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

 Some growth steps:

vertical growth

In this step the growth process is based on agents having a vertical directionality. Each frame structure deposited is stable and influences the movement of agents. The environment is also characterized by a simple vector field:

stigmergy for hanging structures from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

 small render of the resulting structure

some screenshots: some variations of basic parameters

some images of other results of the same process applied to different environments

In this second video the same process is applied for a growth from the bottom:

stigmergy for vertical growth from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

 small render of the resulting structure (Top view)

 small render of the resulting structure

some images of other results of the same process applied to different environments

The third video was made by combining the two systems already seen before. In this case the stigmergy causes a mutual search between the two systems, each of which becomes attractor for the other:

stigmergy for vertical growth_two interacting systems from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

 small render of the resulting structure

growth and development

This video simulates the growth of the natural hives (vertical development and honeycombs are nearly parallel).

In this case 3 systems grow simultaneously and each agent deposits a simple cubic structure, composed by particle and springs that works as an attractor for the other agents. The deformation caused by gravity occurs in real time, so that each agent has to interact with a structure already stable.

For each frame they are also added new agents that have the purpose of connecting different structures according to their distance and to the deformations to which they are subjected.

Self-standing in realtime simulation (like honeybee) from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

This video shows the same system, but the deposit starts from several points simultaneously (30 in this specific case). This allows greater variation in the resulting structures (areas with different stiffness) and greater differentiation of spaces. There is also more interaction between the agents and the material deposited.

stigmergy behaviors for self-standing architecture from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

Some of the results obtained with the same system

bees at work

Stigmergy in self-standing architecture from Roberto Monesi on Vimeo.

This video is the synthesis of the first step. Each agent during his trip deposits a small cell composed by springs and particles. The finite space for the simulation is characterized by repellers and vectorfield. These features and the stigmergy behaviors generate the structure. When each system reaches its maximum dimension structure stabilizes under the effect of gravity and subsequent agents interacting with it.

research

These boards explain briefly (and for now only in Italian) the process of formation and growth of natural beehive made by apis millefere. Here are also explained their main characteristics (static and functional)  and environmental parameters which  are influenced by (for example gravity, wind temperature....).

what is it?

This blog was created as a collection of ideas, references, research and script, collected and developed during the course of my degree thesis.