This is my first ever C++ project—a 3D particle physics simulation!
This application simulates particle physics in 3D space with the following features:
- Real-time 3D rendering with OpenGL
- Particle-particle collision detection and resolution
- Interactive camera controls
- Adjustable physics parameters (gravity, particle size, etc.)
- Two boundary types: box and sphere
- Performance scaling based on system capabilities
This project represents my first foray into C++ programming. As a beginner, I learned:
- Object-oriented programming in C++
- Working with pointers and memory management
- OpenGL integration and shader programming
- Cross-platform development with CMake
- Physics simulation techniques
- Semi-implicit Euler integration
- Collision detection with spatial partitioning
- Fluid dynamics using the SPH algorithm
- Variable time stepping for stability
- Modern OpenGL rendering pipeline
- Custom GLSL shaders
- Point sprites for efficient particle rendering
- Real-time performance adaptation
- Interactive camera controls
- On-screen parameter display
- Keyboard shortcuts for adjusting simulation parameters
The project uses the following libraries and tools:
- SFML 2.5
- OpenGL
- GLEW
- GLM
- ImGui & ImGui-SFML (fetched by CMake)
To build the project, ensure all dependencies are installed and follow the instructions in the CMakeLists.txt file.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Arrow Keys | Rotate camera |
R |
Reset camera position |
P |
Reset particles |
1 / 2 |
Decrease / Increase gravity |
3 / 4 |
Decrease / Increase particle radius |
5 / 6 |
Decrease / Increase restitution |
7 / 8 |
Decrease / Increase boundary size |
9 / 0 |
Decrease / Increase particle count |
- / + |
Decrease / Increase particle mass |
F |
Toggle friction |
L |
Toggle fluid simulation |
B |
Toggle boundary type (sphere/box) |
T |
Toggle performance mode |
As my first C++ project, this simulation taught me a tremendous amount about:
- C++ syntax and language features
- Building complex applications from scratch
- Graphics programming fundamentals
- Physics simulation algorithms
- Performance optimization techniques
- Modern C++ practices and tools
The particle simulation is both visually appealing and physically accurate, demonstrating principles of fluid dynamics and rigid body physics in an interactive environment.