GPU Two-Type Particles

Real-time GPU particle simulation built with ModernGL + GLFW where all physics runs in a GLSL compute shader. Demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8xZGHFHp90

Benchmarking

python Particles_Test_CPU.py --bench --config bench_config.json
python Particles_in_pygame.py --bench --config bench_config.json
python plot_bench.py --cpu cpu_moderngl.csv --pygame cpu_pygame.csv --out bench.png

Install

python -m venv .venv
# Windows:
.venv\Scripts\activate
# macOS/Linux:
source .venv/bin/activate

pip install -r requirements.txt

Where to Start

Start with src/Particles_Test_GPU.py and press spacebar to add particles as you want. Particles added per spacebar press can be easily edited in config.json in the src/ path. Other factors such as forces, drag, and starting particles can be edited at the top of the respective .py file (ex. at the top of Particles_Test_GPU.py)

assets/ → images, GIFs, benchmarks

docs/ → notes

premade/ → visual experiments with premade configurations

src/ → CPU/GPU sims (press spacebar to add particles while running)

Particles_Test_GPU will run the simulator physics via compute shader leading to great preformance Particles_Test_CPU and Particles_in_pygame will run physics via the CPU and will preform poorly Run plot_bench.py after doing benchmarking steps (ensure to specify name or rename .csv after its made)

Core Rules

• Particles have types
• Same type → repel
• Different type → attract
• Simple local rules → complex global behavior

As particle count increases, structures like clusters, lattices, flows, and rigid formations emerge.