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Quick Start

Master HoloBit Modeling in 2 Minutes!

Building your first simulation model doesn't have to be complicated. Let's start with something simple and fun – creating an ant that moves around a grid. In just a few drag-and-drop steps, you'll have a working model that brings your ideas to life.

Step 1: Create the Environment

  • Create a Cell Entity for the Grid Space

    Your first task is to create the environment. Start by dragging and dropping a Cell component onto the canvas. Then, name it mainGrid and set the built-in property Color to white. This creates a clean white grid where our ant can move.

  • Create a Chart for Visualization

    Next, drag a WorldView Chart component, and set the Base Cell to mainGrid on the properties panel. Check Show Coordinates to see the grid positions.

Step 2: Create the Ant

  • Create an Agent for the Ant

    Drag an Agent component onto the canvas. Name it Ant and configure these properties:

    • Set Shape to ant
    • Set Color to black
    • Set Current Space to mainGrid
  • Define Movement Behavior

    • Enter the Ant's inner canvas. This is where you define what the ant does.

    • Drag a Move component to directly create a process that represents its behavior. Name it antBehavior and configure Process Steps within it.

      • Set the Start Event to a Timer Event and mark it as active.
      • Rename the Move component to stepForward and set its distance to 1.

That's it! Your ant now knows how to move forward one step at a time from tick 1.

Step 3: Running your Model

Return to the root canvas and click Step to see your ant take its first step. Then click Resume to watch it continue moving around the grid for 100 ticks.

Congratulations! In just a few drag-and-drop steps, you've built your first HoloBit simulation model!

Ready for More?

Below is Langton's Ant, a classic cellular automaton where the ant follows simple rules that create surprisingly complex patterns. Try it out, observe the emerging patterns, and see how simple rules can lead to beautiful complexity. This is the power of simulation, and you're just getting started!

Dive Deeper: The Langton's Ant Tutorial

Inspired by the pattern you just saw? Curious how such complexity emerges from simple rules?

Our step-by-step video tutorial is your guide. We'll walk you through the entire process, from analyzing the problem to building a fully functional model in HoloBit—no coding required.

Watch the Langton's Ant Tutorial now.

Try it out!

Remember, hands-on practice is the quickest way to learn.