Particles in C++ using OpenGL

Question

I want to start a basic particle system in C++ using OpenGL. I wrote an algorithm for that but I don't understand how to start it.

The problem I am facing is I can print the positions and velocity updates but I don't know how to show it visually using OpenGL.

Have you tried drawing quad in each position for all the particles? — Mārtiņš Možeiko
– Mārtiņš Možeiko, Commented May 28, 2012 at 5:36
use point sprites: informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=770639&seqNum=7 — fen
– fen, Commented May 28, 2012 at 6:48

UltraInstinct · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-28 05:38:58Z

4

I hope you are trying out something on the lines of what is below:

Have a structure(C++ struct or a class) to denote a Particle. The structure contains:
- Particle location (x,y,z)
- Particle velocity (Vx, Vy, Vz)
- Particle acceleration (Ax, Ay,Az) //something you might need too..
- paint function to do the painting of the particle.
Have an array of this structure. Initialise velocity, position, and acceleration as needed.
In a separate thread (or in the repaint event, for starting up) do the following:
- For every particle (element in the array) do:
  - particle[index].velocityX += particle[index].accelerationX
  - particle[index].velocityY += particle[index].accelerationY
  - particle[index].velocityZ += particle[index].accelerationZ
  - particle[index].locationX += particle[index].velocityX
  - particle[index].locationY += particle[index].velocityY
  - particle[index].locationZ += particle[index].velocityZ
  //translate to the location and paint..
  - Use glTranslated(particle[index].locationX, particle[index].locationY, particle[index].locationZ)

answered May 28, 2012 at 5:38

UltraInstinct

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2 Comments

Kalyan Over a year ago

Hi guys, Can anyone give me example of basic particle system using openGL, or any link...

UltraInstinct Over a year ago

Umm, the bullets I have put down above, is pretty much sufficient to implement a basic particle system, IMO. Show us what you have tried, may be we can help. In case you need a code to start you up, google for it; I am sure you will end up with 1000s of it. :)

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