A tool for running and testing path finding algorithms.
I was looking around for a decent way to test some cooperative path finding algorithms before implementing them in a game that I'm working on.
Since I couldn't find any decent easy to use ones I figured it couldn't be to hard to implement this on my own.
So this program should operate as a test bed for running some pre-written path finding algorithms as well as implementing your own algorithms and testing them in this graphical environment.
This software should provide an editable grid that makes out the 'play area' clicking cells should toggle them between the states 'occupied' and 'walkable'.
There should be an option to add 'agents' to the playing field as well as giving each agent a destination that it will try to get to.
When the algorithm runs the agents should move in real-time, not steps. I don't think actual collision resolution between walls and agents should be needed since agents shouldn't try to walk on occupied space.
However collisions between agents and agents need to be done to be able to show when algorithms aren't performing well. It doesn't need to be a pretty solution though.
I decided to go with Java and libGDX. In part because I'd like to practice a bit with it. Java is more accessible to many devs, I think. Don't quote me on that. It's also easier to setup the project on different platforms and easier to define an "algorithm" interface.
This project isn't intended to provide an executable to use. Rather it provides an easy to setup and run project that you may then go to town on testing your algorithms. If you intend to use it in a game it should be rather straight forward to 'port' the code to your own project.
Follow this link to get details on how to launch a libGDX project in your preferred dev environment. You need gradle and stuff, but all that is rather self explanatory.
Running and debugging libGDX projects
NOTE I've been unable to compile with any version above java 8. Can't be bothered to figure it out. This is a heads up if you run into problems when compiling.
Yes please. You are welcome to create issues and begin work on them or pick one from the list of existing issues. More details can be found here: CONTRIBUTING.md
Important!! If you do contribute and want to add your name to your work then don't forget to add your name to the CONTRIBUTORS.md file. This is optional if you want to be private. But it's fun to see who helped out when it's done. I hope there will be time to make this information visible within the framework.
Since this coincides nicely with hacktoberfest I decided to make this project quite a nice and easy project to get into and start hacking. I'll create tasks for everything and tag them appropriately.