3D Gravity Simulator

Project Description: Gravitational Field Simulation with Interactive Orbital Dynamics

This project presents a 3D simulation of a gravitational system, where a central object, existing like a sun, exerts a gravitational pull on surrounding particles of various masses and sizes. The simulation combines physics-based orbital dynamics with interactive user input, allowing exploration of mass accumulation and orbit formation in a virtual space environment.

Core Mechanics

• Central Gravitational Body: At the heart of the scene is a massive central object that serves as the primary gravitational source. This object continuously pulls on nearby particles, keeping them in orbital motion, mimicking how planets or debris orbit a star.
• Orbiting Particles: Surrounding this central body are randomly generated particles with varying:
  • Masses (affecting how they move and interact)
  • Sizes (affecting visual appearance & collision detection)
  These particles are distributed within a ring-shaped (cylindrical) field around the central object, simulating an asteroid belt or protoplanetary disk.
• User Interaction: Users can:
  • Enter a targeting view
  • Use keybinds to fire an object at the target that is launched toward the gravitational field with an initial velocity
  This user-controlled object has its own gravitational field and can collide with the surrounding mass particles to collect their mass. Once it collects enough mass, it naturally begins to orbit the central body, simulating planet formation.

Technical Implementation Highlights

• Gravity Simulation: I implemented Newtonian gravitational force calculations between the central object and the particles, and between the user-controlled object and the field particles. The simulation supports variable mass dynamics for realistic orbital variations.
• Randomized Field Generation: Initially, I attempted a spherical distribution but switched to a cylindrical formation for a more natural orbital belt effect.
• Collision Detection: Implementing collisions between the user object and both the central mass and orbiting particles was challenging. I simplified collision detection to focus on the core interactions and tweaked parameters like collision radius and velocity correction for stability.

Future Improvements

• Implementing Blinn-Phong shading with dynamic lighting from the central object.
• Refining collision detection and resolution for smoother interactions.
• Adding complex orbital physics, including mutual gravitational effects between particles.

Current Status

• Central gravitational field & orbiting particle system.
• User-controlled object with its own gravitational field.
• Functional (though rough) collision detection & mass accumulation.
• Interactive launching of objects with target view.
• Cylindrical random particle distribution.

This project simulates the process of mass accumulation and orbital dynamics around a gravitational center. Despite challenges—especially around physics-based collisions—it demonstrates engaging interactions and realistic gravitational systems. Future refinements will focus on enhancing visual fidelity and polishing physics interactions.

Libraries

• OpenGL
• GLSL
• GLM
• GLFW
• GLEW
• Eigen