SIMULATION NODE LIFE
Using Blender not for its intended purpose, but to experiment and push some limits.
What is this?
Blender's "geometry nodes" system allows for the creation of some pretty spectacular models and effects. The new "simulation zone", however, is what drew me in, as it allows a certain amount state to be saved within the geometry nodes in between frames.
Using the simulation zone, I've created a geometry node setup that effectively works as a simple ecological simulation. The terrain is generated and textured procedurally, bushes and trees grow and reproduce, and creatures mill about chaotically, eating plants and creating more creatures. The interactions of all these things lead to a fairly satisfying simulation where you can watch the ebb and flow of bushes, trees and creatures on a little island.
How It Was Made
Try It Yourself
If you'd like to simulate your own little island with your chosen parameters, or just want to dive into the node setup, it's available for download here.
Before diving into the simulated ecosystem, I needed to familiarize myself with how the simulation zone and geometry nodes worked a little bit, so I recreated "Conway's Game of Life". You can download that file for free here.
