8. Underwater Environment - LariWa/BoidSimulation GitHub Wiki

In the final phase of our project, we focused on the creation of an underwater environment and on combining it with the boids, shader, the submarine and the predators, resulting in a semi-realistic setting.

Environment

First, a terrain was created which then was adapted in height. Further allow the terrain object to add texture and paint objects onto it such as plants [1]. Additional objects such as rocks [2] and chests [3] have been added into the scene in order to create a more interesting environment for the player to explore.

The user will explore the underwater world by diving through it in a submarine [4]. The player uses different key inputs for controlling the submarine (W- forward, S - backwards, A - turning left, D - turning right, Shift left - rising, Control left - submerge). Additionally a particle system of bubbles [5] has been added. In order to create a third person perspective the tool Cinemachine has been used. The orbit camera rig provided by this tool allows for the control of the orbit speed, shape, recentering, daping and input type [6]. The camera targets the position of the submarine in order to follow it.

The boids which have been previously represented by a simple cone shaped object have been replaced with fish objects [7][8]. At the end, the boids, predators and underwater shaders have been added and adjusted to the scene bringing all the different elements of the project together.

References

  1. (LITE) Splash of Color - Unique Photogrammetry Plants - by Flash Haze Mutimedia. Accessed: May 16, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/vegetation/plants/lite-splash-of-color-unique-photogrammetry-plants-214635

  2. Rock and Boulders 2 - by Manufactura K4. Accessed: May 16, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/exterior/rock-and-boulders-2-6947#description

  3. Medieval Chest - by Jedairusz. Accessed: May 16, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/medieval-chest-63534#description

  4. Submarine Model - provided by papptimus. Accessed: May 17, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zme3id19h9c02i5/Mini%20Sub.zip?dl=0. Related Post: https://forum.unity.com/threads/mini-submarine-controller-script-and-model.468266/

  5. Bubble - by Moonflower Carnivore. Accessed: May 23, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/particles/environment/jiggly-bubble-free-61236#publisher

  6. Cinemachine Homepage. Accessed: May 23, 2022. [Online]. https://unity.com/unity/features/editor/art-and-design/cinemachine

  7. Yellow Fish - by printable_models. Accessed: May 20, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://free3d.com/3d-model/fish-v1--996288.html

  8. Blue Fish - by printable_models. Accessed: May 20, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://free3d.com/3d-model/bluegreen-reef-chromis-v2--439073.html