Optimising Particles - Pooling etc.

I’ve whipped up several rough tests:

EDIT 21-MAR-08: Tweaked and improved the tests a little. Added a test incorporating dmaz's list logic.

Array and index-related rendering:

 
'Particle System Test
'Array and index-related rendering

SuperStrict

Framework BRL.GLMax2D
'Framework BRL.D3D7Max2D

Import BRL.Random
Import BRL.PNGLoader

Global ScreenWidth:Int = 800
Global ScreenHeight:Int = 600
Global MaxParticles:Int = 2000
Global SpriteURL:String = "c:\program files\blitzmax\samples\birdie\games\tiledrop\media\part.png"
'Note: A sprite will automatically be created if one is not found at the url above

Graphics ScreenWidth, ScreenHeight, 32
TParticle.Init MaxParticles, SpriteURL

Local Renders:Int, FPS:Int
Local CurrentMS:Int, OldMS:Int
Local MemAlloced:Int = GCMemAlloced()

SetBlend ALPHABLEND

MoveMouse ScreenWidth / 2, ScreenHeight / 2

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

	Cls

	TParticle.Spawn MouseX(), MouseY()
	
	TParticle.RenderLive
		
	If KeyHit(KEY_M) Then MemAlloced = GCMemAlloced()
	
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	SetAlpha 1.0
	SetScale 1.0, 1.0
		
	Renders :+ 1
	CurrentMS = MilliSecs()	
		
	If (CurrentMS - OldMS) >= 1000
		OldMS = CurrentMS
		FPS = Renders
		Renders = 0
	EndIf

	DrawText FPS + " FPS", 10, 10
	DrawText "Memory: " + MemAlloced + " bytes", 10, 30
	DrawText "Live particles: " + TParticle.QtyAlive, 10, 70
	DrawText "Press M to refresh memory useage value.", 10, ScreenHeight - 30
	
	Flip 0

Wend


End


Type TParticle


	Const STATUS_DEAD:Int = 0
	Const STATUS_LIVE:Int = 1
	
	Global Particles:TParticle[]
	Global QtyAlive:Int
	
	Global ParticleImage:TImage
	
	
	Function Init(qty:Int, img_url:String= "")
	
		Local pixmap:TPixmap = LoadPixmap(img_url)
		
		If pixmap Then 
			Pixmap = ResizePixmap(pixmap, 64, 64) 				
			ParticleImage = LoadImage(pixmap)
		Else
			ParticleImage = createSprite()
		EndIf
		
		Particles = New TParticle[qty]
		
		For Local i:Int = 0 To Particles.length - 1
				
			Particles[i] = New TParticle
			
		Next
		
		QtyAlive = 0
		
		pixmap = Null
		GCCollect
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function Spawn(x:Int, y:Int)
			
		If QtyAlive < Particles.length
		
			QtyAlive :+ 1
			
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].X = x
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].Y = y
			
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].XDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].YDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].R = Rand(32, 255)
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].G = Rand(32, 255)
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].B = Rand(32, 255)
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].Size = Rnd(0.1, 0.5)
			Particles[QtyAlive - 1].Alpha = 1.0
			
		EndIf
			
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function RenderLive()
		
		For Local i:Int = 0 To QtyAlive - 1
	
			If Particles[i].Render() = STATUS_DEAD 
			
				Local temp:TParticle = Particles[QtyAlive - 1]
				temp.Render
				Particles[QtyAlive - 1] = Particles[i]
				Particles[i] = temp
				QtyAlive :- 1
				
			EndIf
			
		Next
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	'-------------------------------------
	
	
	Field X:Float, Y:Float
	Field XDir:Float, YDir:Float
	Field R:Byte, G:Byte, B:Byte
	Field Size:Float
	Field Alpha:Float


	Method Render:Int()
	
		SetColor R, G, B
		SetAlpha Alpha
		
		X :+ XDir
		Y :+ YDir
				
		SetScale Size, Size
		DrawImage ParticleImage, X, Y
	
		Alpha :- 0.00005
		
		Local Dead:Int = False
		
		If Alpha <= 0.0 Then Dead = True
		If X < 0 Or X > ScreenWidth Then Dead = True
		If Y < 0 Or Y > ScreenHeight Then Dead = True
				
		If Dead Then Return STATUS_DEAD Else Return STATUS_LIVE
		
	EndMethod


EndType


Function CreateSprite:TImage()

	Local size:Int = 64

	Local img:TImage = CreateImage(size, size, 1, DYNAMICIMAGE|MASKEDIMAGE)
	
	SetBlend SOLIDBLEND
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	DrawOval 0, 0, Size, Size	
	
	GrabImage(img, 0, 0)

	Return img

EndFunction

Array and status-related rendering:

 
'Particle System Test
'Array and status-related rendering

SuperStrict

Framework BRL.GLMax2D
'Framework BRL.D3D7Max2D

Import BRL.Random
Import BRL.PNGLoader

Global ScreenWidth:Int = 800
Global ScreenHeight:Int = 600
Global MaxParticles:Int = 2000
Global SpriteURL:String = "c:\program files\blitzmax\samples\birdie\games\tiledrop\media\part.png"
'Note: A sprite will automatically be created if one is not found at the url above

Graphics ScreenWidth, ScreenHeight, 32
TParticle.Init MaxParticles, SpriteURL

Local Renders:Int, FPS:Int
Local CurrentMS:Int, OldMS:Int
Local MemAlloced:Int = GCMemAlloced()

SetBlend ALPHABLEND

MoveMouse ScreenWidth / 2, ScreenHeight / 2

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

	Cls

	TParticle.Spawn MouseX(), MouseY()

	TParticle.RenderLive
		
	If KeyHit(KEY_M) Then MemAlloced = GCMemAlloced()
	
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	SetAlpha 1.0
	SetScale 1.0, 1.0
		
	Renders :+ 1
	CurrentMS = MilliSecs()	
		
	If (CurrentMS - OldMS) >= 1000
		OldMS = CurrentMS
		FPS = Renders
		Renders = 0
	EndIf

	DrawText FPS + " FPS", 10, 10
	DrawText "Memory: " + MemAlloced + " bytes", 10, 30
	DrawText "Live particles: " + TParticle.LiveCount, 10, 70
	DrawText "Press M to refresh memory useage value.", 10, ScreenHeight - 30
	
	Flip 0

Wend


End


Type TParticle


	Const STATUS_DEAD:Int = 0
	Const STATUS_LIVE:Int = 1

	Global Particles:TParticle[]
	Global LiveCount:Int

	Global ParticleImage:TImage
	
	
	Function Init(qty:Int, img_url:String= "")
	
		Local pixmap:TPixmap = LoadPixmap(img_url)
		
		If pixmap Then 
			Pixmap = ResizePixmap(pixmap, 64, 64) 				
			ParticleImage = LoadImage(pixmap)
		Else
			ParticleImage = createSprite()
		EndIf

		Particles = New TParticle[qty]
		
		For Local i:Int = 0 To Particles.length - 1
				
			Particles[i] = New TParticle
			Particles[i].Status = STATUS_DEAD
			
		Next
		
		LiveCount = 0
		
		pixmap = Null
		GCCollect

	EndFunction
	
	
	Function Spawn(x:Int, y:Int)
			
		For Local p:TParticle = EachIn Particles
		
			If p.Status = STATUS_DEAD
			
				p.X = x
				p.Y = y
				p.XDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
				p.YDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
				p.R = Rand(32, 255)
				p.G = Rand(32, 255)
				p.B = Rand(32, 255)
				p.Size = Rnd(0.1, 0.5)
				p.Alpha = 1.0
				p.Status = STATUS_LIVE
			
				LiveCount :+ 1
			
				Exit
			
			EndIf
		
		Next	
			
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function RenderLive()
		
		For Local p:TParticle = EachIn Particles
	
			p.Render() 
		
		Next
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	'-------------------------------------
	
	
	Field X:Float, Y:Float
	Field XDir:Float, YDir:Float
	Field R:Byte, G:Byte, B:Byte
	Field Size:Float
	Field Alpha:Float
	Field Status:Byte

	Method Render()
	
		If Status = STATUS_LIVE
	
			SetColor R, G, B
			SetAlpha Alpha
		
			X :+ XDir
			Y :+ YDir
			
			SetScale Size, Size
			DrawImage ParticleImage, X, Y
	
			Alpha :- 0.00005

			Local Dead:Int = False
			
			If Alpha <= 0.0 Then Dead = True
			If X < 0 Or X > ScreenWidth Then Dead = True
			If Y < 0 Or Y > ScreenHeight Then Dead = True
				
			If Dead 
				Status = STATUS_DEAD
				LiveCount :- 1
			EndIf
		
		EndIf
		
	EndMethod


EndType


Function CreateSprite:TImage()

	Local size:Int = 64

	Local img:TImage = CreateImage(size, size, 1, DYNAMICIMAGE|MASKEDIMAGE)
	
	SetBlend SOLIDBLEND
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	DrawOval 0, 0, Size, Size	
	
	GrabImage(img, 0, 0)

	Return img

EndFunction

List and real-time particle creation / deletion:

 
'Particle System Test
'List and real-time particle creation / deletion

SuperStrict

Framework BRL.GLMax2D
'Framework BRL.D3D7Max2D

Import BRL.Random
Import BRL.PNGLoader

Global ScreenWidth:Int = 800
Global ScreenHeight:Int = 600
Global MaxParticles:Int = 2000
Global SpriteURL:String = "c:\program files\blitzmax\samples\birdie\games\tiledrop\media\part.png"
'Note: A sprite will automatically be created if one is not found at the url above

Graphics ScreenWidth, ScreenHeight, 32
TParticle.Init MaxParticles, SpriteURL

Local Renders:Int, FPS:Int
Local CurrentMS:Int, OldMS:Int
Local MemAlloced:Int = GCMemAlloced()

SetBlend ALPHABLEND

MoveMouse ScreenWidth / 2, ScreenHeight / 2

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

	Cls

	TParticle.Spawn MouseX(), MouseY()

	TParticle.RenderLive
		
	If KeyHit(KEY_M) Then MemAlloced = GCMemAlloced()
	
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	SetAlpha 1.0
	SetScale 1.0, 1.0
		
	Renders :+ 1
	CurrentMS = MilliSecs()	
		
	If (CurrentMS - OldMS) >= 1000
		OldMS = CurrentMS
		FPS = Renders
		Renders = 0
	EndIf

	DrawText FPS + " FPS", 10, 10
	DrawText "Memory: " + MemAlloced + " bytes", 10, 30
	DrawText "Live particles: " + TParticle.LiveCount, 10, 70
	DrawText "Press M to refresh memory useage value.", 10, ScreenHeight - 30
	
	Flip 0

Wend


End


Type TParticle


	Const STATUS_DEAD:Int = 0
	Const STATUS_LIVE:Int = 1

	Global MaxParticles:Int
	Global Particles:TList
	Global LiveCount:Int

	Global ParticleImage:TImage
	
	
	Function Init(qty:Int, img_url:String= "")
	
		Local pixmap:TPixmap = LoadPixmap(img_url)
		If pixmap Then 
			Pixmap = ResizePixmap(pixmap, 64, 64) 				
			ParticleImage = LoadImage(pixmap)
		Else
			ParticleImage = createSprite()
		EndIf 
		
		MaxParticles = qty
		Particles = New TList		
		LiveCount = 0
		
		pixmap = Null
		GCCollect
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function Spawn(x:Int, y:Int)
			
		If LiveCount < MaxParticles
		
			Local p:TParticle = New TParticle
			p.X = x
			p.Y = y
			p.XDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			p.YDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			p.R = Rand(32, 255)
			p.G = Rand(32, 255)
			p.B = Rand(32, 255)
			p.Size = Rnd(0.1, 0.5)
			p.Alpha = 1.0
						
			Particles.AddLast p
		
			LiveCount :+ 1
		
		EndIf
			
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function RenderLive()
		
		For Local p:TParticle = EachIn Particles
	
			If p.Render() = STATUS_DEAD 
				Particles.Remove p
				LiveCount :- 1
			EndIf
		
		Next
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	'-------------------------------------
	
	
	Field X:Float, Y:Float
	Field XDir:Float, YDir:Float
	Field R:Byte, G:Byte, B:Byte
	Field Size:Float
	Field Alpha:Float

	Method Render:Int()
	
		SetColor R, G, B
		SetAlpha Alpha
		
		X :+ XDir
		Y :+ YDir
		
		SetScale Size, Size
		DrawImage ParticleImage, X, Y
	
		Alpha :- 0.00005
	
		Local Dead:Int = False
		
		If Alpha <= 0.0 Then Dead = True
		If X < 0 Or X > ScreenWidth Then Dead = True
		If Y < 0 Or Y > ScreenHeight Then Dead = True

		If Dead Then Return STATUS_DEAD Else Return STATUS_LIVE

	EndMethod


EndType


Function CreateSprite:TImage()

	Local size:Int = 64

	Local img:TImage = CreateImage(size, size, 1, DYNAMICIMAGE|MASKEDIMAGE)
	
	SetBlend SOLIDBLEND
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	DrawOval 0, 0, Size, Size	
	
	GrabImage(img, 0, 0)

	Return img

EndFunction

Particle pool list and live particle list:

 
'Particle System Test
'Particle pool list and live particle list

SuperStrict

Framework BRL.GLMax2D
'Framework BRL.D3D7Max2D

Import BRL.Random
Import BRL.PNGLoader

Global ScreenWidth:Int = 800
Global ScreenHeight:Int = 600
Global MaxParticles:Int = 2000
Global SpriteURL:String = "c:\program files\blitzmax\samples\birdie\games\tiledrop\media\part.png"
'Note: A sprite will automatically be created if one is not found at the url above

Graphics ScreenWidth, ScreenHeight, 32
TParticle.Init MaxParticles, SpriteURL

Local Renders:Int, FPS:Int
Local CurrentMS:Int, OldMS:Int
Local MemAlloced:Int = GCMemAlloced()

SetBlend ALPHABLEND

MoveMouse ScreenWidth / 2, ScreenHeight / 2

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

	Cls

	TParticle.Spawn MouseX(), MouseY()
	
	TParticle.RenderLive
		
	If KeyHit(KEY_M) Then MemAlloced = GCMemAlloced()
	
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	SetAlpha 1.0
	SetScale 1.0, 1.0
		
	Renders :+ 1
	CurrentMS = MilliSecs()	
		
	If (CurrentMS - OldMS) >= 1000
		OldMS = CurrentMS
		FPS = Renders
		Renders = 0
	EndIf

	DrawText FPS + " FPS", 10, 10
	DrawText "Memory: " + MemAlloced + " bytes", 10, 30
	DrawText "Live particles: " + TParticle.LiveCount, 10, 70
	DrawText "Press M to refresh memory useage value.", 10, ScreenHeight - 30
	
	Flip 0

Wend


End


Type TParticle


	Const STATUS_DEAD:Int = 0
	Const STATUS_LIVE:Int = 1

	Global ParticlePool:TList
	Global LiveParticles:TList
	Global LiveCount:Int
	
	Global ParticleImage:TImage

	
	Function Init(qty:Int, img_url:String= "")
	
		Local pixmap:TPixmap = LoadPixmap(img_url)
		If pixmap Then 
			Pixmap = ResizePixmap(pixmap, 64, 64) 				
			ParticleImage = LoadImage(pixmap)
		Else
			ParticleImage = createSprite()
		EndIf 

		ParticlePool = New TList
		
		For Local n:Int = 1 To qty
			Local p:TParticle = New TParticle
			ParticlePool.AddLast p
		Next
		
		LiveParticles = New TList
		
		LiveCount = 0
		
		pixmap = Null
		GCCollect
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function Spawn(x:Int, y:Int)
			
		Local p:TParticle = Null	
			
		If Not(ParticlePool.IsEmpty()) 
			
			p = TParticle(ParticlePool.RemoveFirst())
	
			p.X = x
			p.Y = y
			p.XDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			p.YDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			p.R = Rand(32, 255)
			p.G = Rand(32, 255)
			p.B = Rand(32, 255)
			p.Size = Rnd(0.1, 0.5)
			p.Alpha = 1.0
						
			LiveParticles.AddLast p
					
			LiveCount :+ 1

		EndIf
			
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function RenderLive()
		
		For Local p:TParticle = EachIn LiveParticles
	
			If p.Render() = STATUS_DEAD 
				LiveParticles.Remove p
				ParticlePool.AddLast p
				LiveCount :- 1
			EndIf
		
		Next
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	'-------------------------------------
	
	
	Field X:Float, Y:Float
	Field XDir:Float, YDir:Float
	Field R:Byte, G:Byte, B:Byte
	Field Size:Float
	Field Alpha:Float

	Method Render:Int()
	
		SetColor R, G, B
		SetAlpha Alpha
		
		X :+ XDir
		Y :+ YDir
				
		SetScale Size, Size
		DrawImage ParticleImage, X, Y
	
		Alpha :- 0.00005
	
		Local Dead:Int = False
		
		If Alpha <= 0.0 Then Dead = True
		If X < 0 Or X > ScreenWidth Then Dead = True
		If Y < 0 Or Y > ScreenHeight Then Dead = True

		If Dead Then Return STATUS_DEAD Else Return STATUS_LIVE

	EndMethod


EndType


Function CreateSprite:TImage()

	Local size:Int = 64

	Local img:TImage = CreateImage(size, size, 1, DYNAMICIMAGE|MASKEDIMAGE)
	
	SetBlend SOLIDBLEND
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	DrawOval 0, 0, Size, Size	
	
	GrabImage(img, 0, 0)

	Return img

EndFunction

'Particle pool list and live particle list
'(Incorporating dmaz's non-BRL list logic):

'Particle System Test
'Particle pool list and live particle list
'(Incorporating dmaz's non-BRL list logic)

SuperStrict

Framework BRL.GLMax2D
'Framework BRL.D3D7Max2D

Import BRL.Random
Import BRL.PNGLoader

Global ScreenWidth:Int = 800
Global ScreenHeight:Int = 600
Global MaxParticles:Int = 2000
Global SpriteURL:String = "c:\program files\blitzmax\samples\birdie\games\tiledrop\media\part.png"
'Note: A sprite will automatically be created if one is not found at the url above

Graphics ScreenWidth, ScreenHeight, 32
TParticle.Init MaxParticles, SpriteURL

Local Renders:Int, FPS:Int
Local CurrentMS:Int, OldMS:Int
Local MemAlloced:Int = GCMemAlloced()

SetBlend ALPHABLEND

MoveMouse ScreenWidth / 2, ScreenHeight / 2

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

	Cls

	TParticle.Spawn MouseX(), MouseY()

	TParticle.RenderLive
	
	If KeyHit(KEY_M) Then MemAlloced = GCMemAlloced()
	
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	SetAlpha 1.0
	SetScale 1.0, 1.0
		
	Renders :+ 1
	CurrentMS = MilliSecs()	
		
	If (CurrentMS - OldMS) >= 1000
		OldMS = CurrentMS
		FPS = Renders
		Renders = 0
	EndIf

	DrawText FPS + " FPS", 10, 10
	DrawText "Memory: " + MemAlloced + " bytes", 10, 30
	DrawText "Live particles: " + TParticle.LiveCount, 10, 70
	DrawText "Press M to refresh memory useage value.", 10, ScreenHeight - 30
	
	Flip 0

Wend


End


Type TParticle


	Const STATUS_DEAD:Int = 0
	Const STATUS_LIVE:Int = 1

	Global ParticlePool:TParticle
	Global LiveParticles:TParticle
	Global LiveCount:Int
	
	Global ParticleImage:TImage

	
	Function Init(qty:Int, img_url:String= "")
	
		Local pixmap:TPixmap = LoadPixmap(img_url)
		If pixmap Then 
			Pixmap = ResizePixmap(pixmap, 64, 64) 				
			ParticleImage = LoadImage(pixmap)
		Else
			ParticleImage = createSprite()
		EndIf 

		For Local n:Int = 1 To qty
			Local p:TParticle = New TParticle
			p.NextParticle = ParticlePool
			ParticlePool = p
		Next
		
		LiveCount = 0
		
		pixmap = Null
		GCCollect
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function Spawn(x:Int, y:Int)
			
		Local p:TParticle = Null	
			
		If ParticlePool <> Null
			
			p = ParticlePool
			ParticlePool = p.NextParticle
				
			p.X = x
			p.Y = y
			p.XDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			p.YDir = Rnd(-0.1, 0.1)
			p.R = Rand(32, 255)
			p.G = Rand(32, 255)
			p.B = Rand(32, 255)
			p.Size = Rnd(0.1, 0.5)
			p.Alpha = 1.0
						
			p.NextParticle = LiveParticles
			LiveParticles = p
					
			LiveCount :+ 1

		EndIf
			
	EndFunction
	
	
	Function RenderLive()
		
		Local lp:TParticle
		Local np:TParticle
		Local p:TParticle = LiveParticles
		While p
			np = p.NextParticle
			If p.Render() = STATUS_DEAD 
				If lp
					lp.NextParticle = p.NextParticle
				Else
					LiveParticles = p.NextParticle
				EndIf
				p.NextParticle = ParticlePool
				ParticlePool = p
				LiveCount :- 1
			Else
				lp = p
			EndIf
			p = np
		Wend
		
	EndFunction
	
	
	'-------------------------------------
	
	
	Field X:Float, Y:Float
	Field XDir:Float, YDir:Float
	Field R:Byte, G:Byte, B:Byte
	Field Size:Float
	Field Alpha:Float
	Field NextParticle:TParticle

	Method Render:Int()
	
		SetColor R, G, B
		SetAlpha Alpha
		
		X :+ XDir
		Y :+ YDir
				
		SetScale Size, Size
		DrawImage ParticleImage, X, Y
	
		Alpha :- 0.00005
	
		Local Dead:Int = False
		
		If Alpha <= 0.0 Then Dead = True
		If X < 0 Or X > ScreenWidth Then Dead = True
		If Y < 0 Or Y > ScreenHeight Then Dead = True

		If Dead Then Return STATUS_DEAD Else Return STATUS_LIVE

	EndMethod


EndType


Function CreateSprite:TImage()

	Local size:Int = 64

	Local img:TImage = CreateImage(size, size, 1, DYNAMICIMAGE|MASKEDIMAGE)
	
	SetBlend SOLIDBLEND
	SetColor 255, 255, 255
	DrawOval 0, 0, Size, Size	
	
	GrabImage(img, 0, 0)

	Return img

EndFunction