Michael suggested using a source image as the starting point for the automata. I tried that out and then tried using the source from a webcam instead. This is the result. You’ll need to allow webcam access 
The un optimised swf is coming in at 3k.
Sometimes its fun just to type “var bmd : BitmapData = new BitmapData(300,250);” and see where it takes you. This morning I went from this weird maze thing:
And ended up at Conway’s game of life. I could watch this thing run for hours…
I also scrolled the bmd to see what would happen. You sometimes get these lovely particle emitters that look like rocket engines or space invaders. (Click to restart the swfs).
Source .fla here. Cellular automata are a branch of artificial life.
“Artificial life (commonly Alife or alife) is a field of study and an associated art form which examine systems related to life, its processes, and its evolution through simulations usingcomputer models, robotics, and biochemistry.” – According to Wikipedia.
Working in advertising its sometimes nice to make something that is useful for a change. I made this AIR app as a part of the R&D initiative at Republic. Its installed on the work computers and could one day replace our paper phone lists, saving the world one A4 sheet at a time baby.
Its fed by xml and I included a few extra features, a list of the latest songs scrobbled on the public music pc and a multiuser chat panel (using SmartFoxServer).
