Getting Started

When you run the Noble Ape Simulation, you will be presented with four windows. These windows show the main aspects of the Simulation. The Simulation creates a random environment for the Noble Apes (the red dots) to wander over.

The Simulation shows the terrain the Noble Ape is moving over, the cognitive (brain) model of the Noble Ape and other information like the time and weather conditions.

In addition to this manual, Noble Ape has a set of Quicktime movie examples online. If you are interested in doing more with the Simulation, please bookmark;

http://www.nobleape.com/examples/

For updated movies on interesting features of the Simulation.

Menus

The menus associated with controlling the Noble Ape Simulation have been progressively refined over the years. The current interface is as much driven by user mouse clicks on windows as it is by menus.

File Menu

  • Create new environments,
  • Open and save environments (more information on the file format can be found here), and,
  • Open ApeScript files (more information on ApeScript can be found here).

    Control Menu

  • Pause the Simulation,
  • Hide/show windows,
  • Cycle between selected apes, and,
  • Update the graphics only 15 times/second (through the Timed menu command).

    You will see substantial speed improvements by setting the Timed menu command or hiding the Brain and/or Terrain windows.

    Map Window

    The Map view shows the environment from a top-down view. It enables the user to select a specific ape to view and control. This view is linked to the Terrain and Brain views by the selected ape. If the selected ape can see another ape, it is highlighted in bright red.

    Keys

    arrow keys - Move the ape around
    option - up/down arrow - Change selected ape
    option - right/left arrow - Turn selected ape

    Mouse

    Clicking the mouse on an ape selects that ape.

    Holding the option key down, and clicking the mouse on the map, moves the selected ape to the clicked location.


    Brain Window

    The brain rotates to show the 3D changes that occur in the structure of the ape's brain. The dots represent the large changes occurring in the ape's brain. The darker dots are those closer to the viewer, whilst the lighter dots are further from the viewer. This window also displays the brain cycles per second (BCPS).

    The brain can be rotated by clicking above and below the brain image. You will note that the ape's brain patterns change when it is asleep or awake.

    For more detail on the cognitive simulation;

    http://www.nobleape.com/docs/

    Mouse Only

    Clicking the mouse on the screen rotates the brain along the z-axis.


    Terrain Window

    The Terrain window gives the user a third-person-perspective of the selected ape's view of the environment. In this view, the ape selected ape can be seen in the centre of the window.

    The user has a 360 degree radial view of the surroundings of the ape (including other apes).

    Keys

    up/down arrow - Move ape forward/backward
    right/left arrow - Turn ape left/right
    option - up/down arrow - Change selected ape

    Mouse

    Clicking the mouse in the terrain window moves the selected ape around.


    Meters Window

    Clock

    The clock contains three pieces of information;
       twelve hour time
       year clock (left small dial)
       season clock (right small dial)

    Twenty-four hour time can be gauged through the weather information (which also shows day and night).


    Ape's Information

    The Meters window also shows the selected Noble Ape's Information. From left to right, it shows the direction facing (pointing in the direction of movement on the Map Window). It shows the Noble Ape's current speed. In addition it shows the Noble Ape's current energy. The small side markers (a good indication for the energy meter) show the rough maximum energy, the middle point and the hunger point for energy. Unlike earlier versions of the Simulation, the Ape will die with no energy/drowning. It is possible for the Simulation to run with no living apes. Please also note, it is possible for Apes to be born too. They will inherit genetics (shown as genetic bars in the window). It is possible to track Ape families through their genetics. The meter also shows the Noble Ape's sex. Female is shown with a cross below the triangle and male with the arrow pointing to the right.

    Weather

    The weather is shown by an iconic representation in the top right corner. There are three basic weather conditions which can be applied to day or night - clear, cloudy or raining.


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