"The motion of a flock of birds is... simple in concept yet is so visually complex it seems randomly arrayed and yet is magnificently synchronous. Perhaps most puzzling is the strong impression of intentional centralised control. Yet all evidence indicates that flock motion must be merely the aggregate result of the actions of individual animals, each acting solely on the basis of its local perception of the world." - Craig Reynolds

Craig Reynolds realised that the motion of a flock of birds could be modelled by applying three simple rules to be followed by each bird. Put simply, these were; stick with the flock, fly at the same speed as the flock and don't bump into your neighbours. The model worked and produced amazingly realistic results. He then tried introducing some obstacles into the path of the flock. The flock parted as it approached the obstacles and then re-united. This was not pre-programmed but an "emergent behaviour" that appeared in response to the obstacle.

Craig Reynolds' Boids can be found at http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/

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